I think it's meant to be.

Last Thursday, we (us TEX teachers) received our placements for the summer.  I was actually surprised to see the words "Your School Placements" in the subject line of the email because last year we received everything at the end of March.  I was super excited looking for my name, then felt a slight pang of disappointment.  You see, I had imagined my name under Awere or even Anaka, but when I saw Gulu Senior Secondary with the words "in Gulu town" next to it, I panicked.  Because of what happened last year, I had mainly decided to go back to Uganda so that I could have the village experience that I was supposed to have had.  I was even more disappointed that Awere wasn't even an option this year.  Of course, I immediately emailed Catherine to find out if there was any way I could be out of Gulu town.

Catherine did do some stellar work, finding a way to make it happen.  However, I had already started thinking about Gulu Senior Secondary (aka Gulu SS) and letting it sink in.  The actual reason that I chose to return was because of the wonderful friends I had made that live in Gulutown. I no longer feel like I have to "prove" to myself that I can do a village, because I can--it just hasn't worked out this way.  Maybe it's just not meant to be for me to be in a village.  Maybe two years in a row of thinking I'm going to a village but really ending up in town is meant to be.  Despite my initial disappointment, I am so excited to work at Gulu SS.  From looking at my friends' pictures who were placed there last year, I already know the experience will be drastically different from Layibi.  And who knows--things may change again.  Let me remind myself to not set expectations for this journey, as they will ultimately be shattered and built up to be something better.  Besides, I already have a really good boda boda driver and I wouldn't want another munu to steal him away from me.

Here's a bit of info about Gulu SS taken from the IC FB (Photo Creds: Invisible Children)

GULU SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

School Type:

 

Day School

Enrollment:

 

Girls: 685 / Boys: 989

Founded in:

 

1960

Student/Classroom Ratio:

 

180:1

Student/Latrine Ratio:

 

Girls: 118:1 / Boys: 71:1

KOBS/READ Implemented:

 

Yes

Founded in 1960, Gulu SS has long been caught in the middle of the conflict. During the Liberation War in 1979, Gulu Senior was used as a frontline for Idi Amin’s military coup. Between 1985 and 1986, the school was also involved in the conflict in which current President Yoweri Museveni overthrew Tito Okello. During this time, soldiers looted the school and used the desks as firewood. The school also became a battlefront for Alice Lakwena’s Holy Spirit Movement (the precursor to the LRA) between 1986 and 1989, during which many displaced people from the suburbs came to loot the school.

There are currently over 1400 students attending the school, 75% percent of whom are total or partial orphans, or considered extremely needy. Many of the orphaned students cannot afford school fees and are continuously forced to take leaves of absence due to their inability to pay these fees. Still, teachers average about 104 students per class. Ninety percent of the students have never used a computer and access to books is severely limited by the lack of a library. The structures are in extremely poor condition, with termite infested walls and floors turning to mud during the rainy season.Previous rounds of fundraising resulted in the complete renovation of the school labs and provided a large quantity of equipment and chemicals. The lab renovation offered an opportunity to create a rainwater harvesting distribution system that has six faucets as opposed to the single faucet they previously had. A six stance girls’ latrine was the first step towards solving the huge sanitation problem for students, with the renovated staff latrines helping the teachers and school administration.
We have supplied the school with a limited amount of core textbooks and we’ve also been able to assist the staff through teacher trainings, psychosocial support for guidance counselors along with financial management, record keeping and computer literacy trainings. 

The school development committee has continually advocated for the desperately needed all- purpose library and function hall. With this in mind, we embarked on the largest Schools for Schools project to date: the Gulu Senior Multipurpose Hall will include a large library and auditorium over two stories. The funds raised under Round III will only partially complete the multipurpose hall, meaning the majority of future funds will automatically be applied to this project until complete. If Round IV proves to be successful, this project could well be finished with a year from breaking ground.

Could it be magic?

I couldn't have seen this picture at a better time in my life.  Stepping out of my comfort zone is scary--I mean, why would I want to?--it's so comfy there!  But maybe, just maybe it was a good idea.  Time will tell.  Thanks Meaghan and Maren--I couldn't have done it without you.  

...and it's only Tuesday!

Although this may prove to be the longest week of my life, I have two student quotes that cannot go unmentioned.
1. V: Miss, why don't you teach math and science anymore?
Me: Because I have a new job.
V: That sucks.
Me: Why?
V: Well now you teach ELD and you already know English.  Don't you miss discovering things with us like last year in science.
Me:  Yes. Very much.

2. J: Miss, will you be here next year?
Me: As far as I know, why?
J: Because I just realized that there are 3 Hunger Games books and I don't think our book club can read them all this year.  Can we meet next year, too?
Me: Yes! (Oh the joy of tricking kids into reading something that they realize they love!)

Tuesdays are tough, but these are wonderful kids.  It also helps to have Tuesday night Date Nights with Maren.  Maybe I will make it to Friday after all...

Passion+Cause=Purpose

I just wish I could teach my kids this. It took me 28 years to learn.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2011/11/30/how-to-be-interesting/

Sustainable Fashion--A New Obsession

I have a slight obsession with any kind of sustainable fashion.  It started with Invisible Children MEND and has grown exponentially (both my obsession and the market for it).  I love that I can wear something that not only stands for something but is also impacting someone else's life in a sustainable way.  

Sustainability has become a priority for me when thinking about charity, non-profits, NGOs and humanitarian aid.  Very frequently, Americans send their money somewhere not really knowing where it is actually going.  Or we send large amounts of charitable contributions instead of empowering the people that these charities supposedly are supporting.  In the words of Ivan Illich: "To hell with good intentions [. . .] You will not help anybody by your good intentions." 

So here are a few of my favorites--not only are they fantastic, but I like to think of them as "Humanitarian Chic."

• MEND: MEND is an Invisible Children Program.  Bags are designed in the US and handmade in Uganda by ladies that were formally abducted by the LRA, most forced to be child mothers and wives of commanders.  MEND supports these ladies not just in giving them work in a society that might otherwise isolate them, but also supports them with a savings and loan community, functional adult literacy, and a social worker on site.  Although MEND bags are expensive, you get the name and now the fingerprint of the lady who made your bag on your bag.  If you would like to buy one at a discounted rate, spend some time with the wonderful ladies at MEND in Gulu.  I LOVE THEM!  

Rockin' my MEND bag in nyc

• Krochet Kids: Buy a hat, change a life.  Also based out of Gulu, women affected by the war are employed crocheting hats which are sold in the US.  Women are able to send their kids to school and support their families which is a cultural shift in Northern Uganda.  You can write the lady that made your hat a thank you note--just check the tag!  KKi has also started a program in Peru. Can be purchased at Unity.

Sportin' KKi kissin' a peacock

• Falling Whistles:  Quite possibly my favorite because I can wear it all the time and people ask about it a ton.  On an adventure to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sean Carasso heard a story of boys, too small to carry guns, being put on the front lines with nothing more than a whistle.  I wear my whistle to promote peace in the drc.  Proceeds go to programs on the ground, supporting the rehabilitation of war-affected Congolese children.  Wear your protest--be a whistleblower for peace.  Can be purchased at Unity.

• The Giving Keys:  Keys on chains with words engraved on them by homeless to help them get off the streets?  Sold.  And they're beautiful.  Best part?  It's a pay if forward deal--so eventually, I will have to give mine away to someone who I think needs to be liberated (or whatever your key says).  I already have a couple going to a few friends.

• 31 Bits: Also based out of Gulu (love), 31 Bits employs women to make paper bead jewelry to empower them to rise above poverty.  There are a ton of paper bead organizations around, most with the same goal and doing great things; however, I have a special place in my heart for 31 Bits because you can buy them at my nail salon, fingers and toes.

So, what do your accessories say about you?  I love knowing where mine were made and even who made them.  Not only do I look smart (Ugangalish for looking good, having swag), but I am sustaining communities at the same time.  So when you ask me where I got something or what it is, expect to hear a story.

full circle

Last June, I spent four days in nyc for the first time.  I had never been and took the opportunity while in transit to Uganda.  My time in nyc was well spent, exploring the city with Meaghan and Adam.  Meaghan, best vacation planner ever, filled our days with wonderful food and activities that didn't scream tourists.  I remember lying awake at night on the futon in our Chelsea apt. and thinking about how I was going to repack my bags to not have to pay the overweight fee to Uganda, budgeting how much more money I could logistically spend in New York, and the fact that I was about to embark on an incredible journey to East Africa.  My last meal was delicious macaroni and cheese at Pastis, but with my stomach churning for the next morning's departure, I could hardly eat it.  That last night--and parts of the entire trip--seem so surreal since I spent the next six weeks in Uganda.  I can hardly remember it and didn't really have a chance to talk about it when I returned.  In fact, I had even forgot it happened until I later saw pictures.

My third trip to nyc (in 6 months and in my life) was the culmination of everything that I have experienced in the last year.  I was traveling to nyc by myself (but to meet up with the loves of my life) to welcome 6 Ugandan friends to my country.  They had left Uganda probably with the same feelings I had about going, only to arrive for a short stay in nyc before they continued on to their life-changing experiences.  I wonder if when they return, they'll remember New York clearly, or if it will be a vague, distant memory.  

For me, this last trip encompassed my knowledge of New York (thanks Meaghan Whitney) and my love of all things TEX.  So much led up to this, that once I was there, sharing beers and laughs with Catherine, Jenni, Pablo and Joe seemed like such a relief.  Nothing though will ever surmount watching Otim Walter help Lacere zip up his coat, Rosemary's excitement of how large the busses are and they drive around even if no one is on them, Elizabeth's laughter at Banana Republic and her explanation of its true meaning, watching Otim Walter and Elizabeth order and eat Chipotle for the first time, explaining fountain drinks to Otim Walter and the idea of free refills and watching him laugh hysterically at Sister Act on Broadway.  

 

I so badly wanted to be a part of TREX and was disappointed that my current place did not allow me to be.  But I was and am a part of it more than I thought I would ever be--whether it was selling a massive amount of Agape ornaments or volunteering for the orientation.



When I first started traveling and came back to the US for the first time, I had said that I left my heart in Argentina.  After an incredible self-discovery in Peru, I knew that I had found my heart.  As cliche as it sounds, I know that I have given my heart to Uganda.  It is now a part of me and I hope that in some small aspect, I can be a part of it.

rhetorical thought.

I have definitely found myself a Sunday routine while in grad school.  I get up, go to my fave coffee shop, Hooked on Colfax, pull out the piles of work I have to do, and spend my time catching up on blogs and wasting time.  Although the table, chai and atmosphere are better than trying to read in my bed, I am not sure this hipster scene is conducive to reading about the history of rhetoric.  However, it has been helpful to have a place to reflect without the disruption of cats.

I am quickly approaching being at home as long as I was away--which is always the hardest part of being in transit.  It is finally the realization that yes, I do live here, and this is what my real life is.  It makes me miss where I have come from--this time Gulu--even more.  Although I can get Pineapple Fanta at my local Avanza, I can't get the burning trash smell or the red dust filling my lungs as I hold on to the back of a boda.  In the past few weeks, I have teetered over some major decisions, or rather desires.  Currently, on the two year plan that I seem to always extend, I am happy with what I am doing.  But what do I do if say, the Communications Officer for ICU opens up?  I debated for an entire day if I should apply, but then spent the next day with three of my students at a Karen wrist tying ceremony.  For what it's worth, I still have work to do here and haven't decided what I want to do when that work is finished.  I am trying to wrap my mind around everything I have learned this summer and how it has changed me.  I feel like I have more of a focus in everything I do.  Critical thought and humanitarian aid are always seem to be connected to everything I am learning and teaching.  But how can I really make others see it, if I don't know exactly what it looks like?  I guess this is why I have my Sundays to think about it, with small breaks of rhetorical theory.