Professional
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| Final 'goodbyes' |
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| Goodbye Teacher Jovita |
The time to say goodbye to Africa and to the wonderful
people who live in Uganda has come. On Wednesday morning we received a phone call
asking us to come back to City Parents’ School to allow the children to say their
goodbyes. There was a special assembly with all the children from the lower
primary. They sang, danced and we had so much fun playing games – teachers
against teachers and pupils against pupils. The senior members of staff thanked
us and wished us all the best in our futures. It was then our turn to speak. As
I looked out to the hundreds of children gathered I realised these kids had so
much potential and I was glad to have been part of the shaping of 73 individuals
in my care. Next it was time for the presentation of gifts and cards. My 73
children danced towards me bearing cards and gifts, arms opened ready to hug
goodbye. Each child had something, from a box of tic tacs, handkerchiefs, a
shell, to chocolates and a rose. It was one of the most humbling experiences to
see the generosity of the boys and girls and to experience their thankful
hearts.
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| Smiles and waves goodbye |
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| Kind gifts from pupils and staff |
The children who attend City Parents’ are from relatively wealthy
families. The children at Street school have nothing – literally, except what
they are wearing. But I have had the privilege of teaching both groups of
children. Thanks to the generosity of friends from home I was able to buy some
amazing phonics resources for Street school and after teaching using the
resources and helping train the volunteers in street school, I believe they have
the potential to help advance education for the children who attend. Education
is key and as Nelson Mandela said ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world.’ (cited in Ennis – Smith, 2005, p.104)
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| Akim loves phonics! |
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| Hard at work |
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| Break time! |
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| Phonics resources |
Cultural
If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the
religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. James Michener (cited
in Drew, 2006, p.69)
The past week we have indulged in cultural experiences in
Kampala. The Ndere Centre in Kampala holds performances each week of dances
from across Africa. Each young person involved is sponsored to attend school
through the money raised by holding the performances. It was an entertaining
night and the talent of each person involved was amazing. My favourite dance
involved ladies dancing with five or six jars balanced on their head!
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| Drummer dance |
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| Balancing jars whilst dancing |
Having spent 3 months in Kampala it would seem that we would
have seen it all, but there were still a few gems to be explored. Walter’s
Bodaboda Tours took us to discover the Hindu temple, Mosque, Bhai’ temple and
Idi Amin’s torture chambers. Speaking with locals and tour guides helped us to
find out more about Uganda and helped me gain fresh perspective on life for
people in Kampala in the past and present.
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| Hindu temple |
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| Organised chaos - Kampala |
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| Bhai' temple |
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| Dressing up |
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| Nicola outside the Mosque |
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| Group photo |
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| New mode of transport - Bodaboda |
Personal
The danger with spending so much time with someone or a
group of people is that saying goodbye is hard. The street kids have had a
special place in my heart over the past three months. They have taught me to
appreciate what I have and who I have, they have taught me to love regardless
of background and to smile and be full of joy at all times. You can’t come to
Africa and return home unchanged and unchallenged and I am excited to see how
this experience will impact the rest of my life.
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| Street School |
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| Cheeky Akim |
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| Edith one of the volunteers |
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| The boys with Anne the social worker |
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| Movie time |
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| Joey and me |
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| Sunday programme with the boys |
Suzanne Evans beautifully describes her feelings after spending time in Africa, '
I hope you have an experience that alters the course of your
life because after Africa, nothing ever has been the same.' (
Salle, 2012) I can’t wait to
see the place this experience will have in shaping the rest of my life.
References
Drew, L. (2006) Pack a
Peanut Butter Sandwich: Chronicles of Linda Drew, USA: iUniverse
Ennis – Smith, R. (2005) The
Last Call to Witness, USA: Llumina.
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