Lanyero

Hey everyone! I know that it has been awhile since I updated so here it goes...

Sunday was a 'lazy' day. We didn't do much other than hang out at home and talk about DMP things. Later on that day we went to Kope Cafe (the hang out for all the munus in Gulu) It was movie night. We were to watch Amelie with some of the teachers with Invisible Childrens program, Schools for Schools. Right as the movie was about to began we got a phone call from back home in Chicago from our home based crew. It was nice to hear all their voices and we were able to discuss DMP issues. The confrence call lasted quite awhile, and I missed most of the movie but no loss there at all.

On Monday it was Uganda Heros Day so it was another national holiday our kids got off for school.Since our orginal ceremony was put on a stand still due to the rain they performed for us on Monday. It was great being able to see everything our kids worked so hard putting together. They did some amazing drama work that I could have watched all day. They also performed some more songs for us and we loved it. They also had a farwell song for Madison and Chris. The kids really seemed to be enjoying themselves, but of course the rains came again. Luckily though, it was after they were done performing. It was nice to hang out with all the program and non-program kids again though.

Tuesday came and it was a sad day. Chris and Madison left us for Kampala so that they could leave for the states on Wednesday morning. After leaving them at the bus park I left for the office. I got on my Boda and he said he knew where he was going. Next thing I know instead of being at Lacor hospital I was at Gulu University Hospital. I explained Lacor and he said he has misheard me so we were off on our way to what I thought was Lacor. Nope, I was wrong. I ended up at Gulu Independence Hospital. At this point I was ready to jump off of the Boda and get on a new one, but, he eventually got me there. It was just another day at the office once I finally got there.

I've been working on DMP things for awhile now and finally on Thursday Diana and I were able to start going to schools. On Thursday we went to Demonstration Primary School and were able to observe a P4 class in session. It was very difficult for me to sit and watch the class in session. There were 108 students in one classroom, 4 to 5 students to a bench plus students on the floor. Diana and I were sitting in the back of the classroom and could hardly hear the teacher as he spoke. It is no wonder that kids are not performing well, out of the 25 minutes we spent in that classroom only about 10 minutes were spent with the teacher actually teaching. We were then able to talk to all but one of our kids teachers that attend Demonstartion. It was nice to hear what they had to say about them so that we can try to better help them. It was also really good because they said they would keep an eye on them and try to push them to really do well in class. Thursday evening we went to Maq Foods for dinner, which is one of our favorite spots. Patrick, the owner, informed us that there is a new menu being launched in a few days and invited us to a tasting party to make sure everything on the menu was good. He then asked us to sample his homemade wine, which was good but strong.

Today Diana and I spent our time at St. Joes Primary School. They were very prepared for us and had an observation schedule set. We were able to observe both P6 and P4 classes, but ran out of time and were unable to see the P5 class. I was very impressed by the P4 class. The teacher engaged with the students, had them do work at their desks and went around and corrected them. The students also did math excersices on the board and the entire class worked on them together. There were 108 students and they all seemed fairly attentive and participated when she asked them to. Barbara Sharon is in that class and she has been struggling in school. The teacher asked her to come up and perform a multiplication problem in front of the class and she got it correct!!! The entire class clapped and cheered for her, and it was nice to see her proud.

The weather here is dry then wet then dry dry dry. Then we get lots of rain. It is crazy to say in the least, but I don't mind it.

I am loving my time here in Uganda. I love the people, and our kids. I have never given so many high fives and 'bongas' in my entire life, but I am loving every minute of it.

In regards to the title of this blog: That is my new Acholi name. Lanyero means; full of joy, happiness and very social. The women of the compound named me that because I am always outside playing with the children and talking with them. I also got a name from Kevin, Opoyorwot, which means Thanks be to God. I don't know why he named me that, but everyone just calls me Lanyero.

There has been news about possible troubles here in Uganda in regards to the LRA. I just want everyone to know that everything fine here. Nothing is going on, there have been no problems.

I hope that all is well in the states and that this entry finds you all well. I love and miss you all. I will update much more often from now on.