Adjusting to Life in Uganda

Things are going really well here. I am finally getting used to the incredibly hot weather combined by the crazy humidity. I am understanding the local English dialect better, which is making it much easier to communicate.

I have been meeting with a lot of local leaders and many owners of the local private schools. They are incredibly underfunded. Most of classrooms have dirt floors and are sometimes taught with several classes going on in the same room. It makes it very distracting for the children and hard to learn. There are also at times a 1 to 100 teacher student ratio. This makes personal tutoring almost impossible. The local curriculum is horrible and most of the children are taught to memorize rather than use any form of strategic thinking/problem solving.

This is compounded by the fact that they do not have running water and a great number of the students are orphaned. Many of the teachers do not have any certification or training and teach things that are incorrect. As I go from school to school I often become more and more discouraged, but have been also gaining a greater resolve to find solutions and implement those solutions.

I often see little ones digging through the garbage trying to find something to eat and it makes me think of Brinley. Hard to keep all together. I would look ridiculous breaking down in front of a bunch of infant/toddlers when they are smiling from ear to ear. It seems that regardless of their situation they are happy and making the most of what little they have. I am learning some really important lessons while I am here, lessons that I won't be able to really articulate until I get home and have a better computer with better internet, and more time.

On my down time I have been going to the local orphanage and playing soccer with the children. Many of them have HIV/Aids that was giving to them by their parents who are now gone. Even still, it is amazing to see how much life in them. They make the majority of our daily worries in the lives of the typical American seem almost comical. The word for white people is "Muzungu". So when I walk down the street the little children clap and yell "Muzungu, Muzungu, hello Muzungu!". They will run over and hold my hand for ages while I walk down the street. Many of them only 2 years old. Once again, reminding me of Brinely and life I would want for her. I have secured funding for many projects and have been met with much gratitude. The biggest issue is when you look at the poverty, suffering, and corruption that exists here it is only a small piece of the pie. But hey, I guess we can just keep pushing.

**Note - He finally received his luggage after a few days there! Yay!