Expect the Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected, not because I am on Big Brother, but ironically, Invisible Children's motto is also Expect the Unexpected and for good reason. It fits very will with TIA, This is Africa, always remembering that not everything is going to go as planned and, frankly, there is nothing you can do about it because TIA. Our expectations were cut short arriving at the JFK airport. Our flight to London was delayed which meant we would not make our flight to Entebbe. This ended up being a wonderful surprise as we were able to spend the day in London.

After what seemed like the longest 3 days ever, we finally made it to Gulu, dirty and smelly. We spent the week in orientations learning about Gulu, education in Northern Uganda, the conflict, and Invisible Children. The things that IC is doing here is truly amazing. I was aware of all of their programs but didn't realize the extent of how big they really were. IC is actually creating a sustainable NGO that is making a difference here. With only 4 expat staff, the IC Uganda office is ran by Ugandans. The community based projects support the education of students and the economies of the villages that they live in. It has been so wonderful to get to meet so many Acholi people and to have been “most welcomed” into their culture.

Monday Lauren and I packed up and made the 2 hour bumpy dirt road drive to Awere with Catherine, where we were supposed to teach. We drove through Odek, the village where Joseph Kony is from (LRA Rebel Leader, wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes against humanity) and it just felt plain eerie. Upon arriving at Awere, things were simply just not ready. Our housing accommodation wasn't quite up to our American standards of security. So we loaded everything back in the mutatu (bus-van-thing) and through Catherine's poised explanation, we headed straight back to Gulu. It was very shameful as the people of the village were very disappointed that the munus were leaving. When we unexpectedly arrived back at the house, I saw the 10 faces we had left behind in the doorway. I was overcome with an overwhelming feeling that we had returned to our family and our home. I knew then that we had done what was best for us. I spent the next day at Sir Samuel Baker Secondary School which is in Gulutown where I was expecting to be replaced for the summer. Again with the expectations! I walked in the door of our house to find Lindsey. She asked how I liked it. When I responded positively, she said great, tomorrow you will go to Layibi.

So here I am sitting outside the staff room at Saint Joseph College Layibi. I am a week behind, finally having my first round table with my 3 partner teachers and Catherine today. I will be teaching S1 Math (8^th grade) with Ocola Francis and KOBS (Knowledge of Behavior and Self) with Bua Geoffrey and Ario Gilbert to S1 and S2 (8^th/9^th grade). Layibi is like the Regis of high schools here in Gulu. It is currently the top school in everything they do in Northern Uganda. Before the war, schools in Northern Uganda were all in the top 100, many in the top 10. Layibi has just made the top 100 at #54 in the nation. It is an all boys Catholic boarding private school. There are about 1200 boys here. Everyday for lunch, Pablo, Jenni and I are escorted to a small room with a private lunch with our partner teachers. It feels kind of strange, knowing that the teachers eating in the staff room are eating posho and beans (posho=corn substance that looks like mashed potatoes but is harder). So everyday, I will ride a boda boda (motor bike-ish) for 2000 shillings and back to my house. Currently we live with 15 people until group 2 arrives in which case it will be 30 and Michael Jackson on security detail. I love it. I love everything about it. Every day and every person. Apwoyo ba!!