Random Photos

Since we arrived here we have been constantly amazed at what can be transported on a bicycle. Up to 8 folded foam mattresses, nine crates of soda, 7 bunches of matoke, an uncountable number of empty plastic jerry cans and several large sacks of charcoal to mention but a few. Here is Joseph's bed on his bike when he moved to a new job!
Rob also took some photos of the opening of the new classroom. Here I am, 'Madam Janice' in smart suit checking out the learning areas!
We were invited to St. Lawrences schools and colleges for their show and installation of the Vice President of Uganda as Chancellor. The 1,400 students put on a marching display, each school or campus has a 'Guard' and we sang many anthems! They started two hours late but the speeches were fairly short which was good and we were given a cake and a bottle of soda. Another new experience for us. The schools and the University are all private and very expensive, a very different environment compared to some of the schools I have visited. The difference between those who have and those who do not, is huge!

Model Classroom

After visiting classrooms in schools where students were on teaching practice I was concerned at how 'learner unfriendly' they were. I was aware that many classrooms were little better than 'cattle sheds' with little or nothing to encourage learning, with very few learning aids. I felt that if our students were to be prepared to teach in better schools or at least to set an example in schools, they needed to see what a 'good classroom' looked like!
This room was available so I wrote a proposal with a request for just over 300,000Ug shillings (about £100) to create a 'model classroom'. Windows were replaced and it was painted.

The building began to look like a proper classroom! The inside was painted and the task was to prepare it in time for Graduation....a week away!
We set up learning areas including a music corner with instruments made of plastic containers, empty coffee tins and a biscuit tin!

The art department had produced a 'papier mache' giraffe and the communication and technology department had charts showing fish made with earth and digestive systems made with crushed chalk and sand. There was a 'man' made with banana fibres and some science 'big books' donated by a UK charity. With a nature table and a flannel board made with an old towel bordered with shells , the science area was ready!
A reading tree and books made by students plus professionally produced books, puppets and story cards with mats made using local materials......a reading corner to encourage children to enjoy books!

It was hard work getting the room ready but with the help of the students I hope we have an ongoing resource that all can learn from. I hope our student teachers will take the ideas out to their schools and so improve the learning environment for many children.

Busy days!

The last couple of weeks have been very busy for Rob with preparations for another charity art exhibition to raise funds for Uganda Conservation at the end of the month in Kampala, and for me preparing for Graduation at college!
We spent two weekends at the rugby 7's with Rob, now a qualified referees coach watching and advising the referees. It is the rainy season and one Saturday we drove down the dual carriageway to the rugby club down a raging torrent like a river to reach the flooded pitch. As we waited in the car for the rain to ease up enough to make a dash for the club verandah there was much shouting and leaping about by the players already there and the next thing was a snake of over one metre long being hit with sticks and flung back into the water! We waited in the car until the water receded enough to see where we were were walking before we ventured across the car park!!!



Watcing them clear the water from the pitch was entertaining. These boys were using a huge piece of sponge from an old goal post pad. They carried it to the edge of the pitch and wrung out the water. Table tops from the clubhouse were also used to great effect!

After about two hours two men went out to repaint the pitch markings and only two and a half hours late they kicked off!

Some areas of the pitch were pretty wet and not being used to playing in such conditions the handling was pretty dodgy but a couple of tries scored in the lake under the posts causing a wave of water and spray were cheered enthusiastically by the crowd. The mud and water were very much like home!

To our delight the Ugandan ladies 7's team qualified for the World Cup next year in Dubai!

Then this weekend was Graduation. The second one we have attended. Last time we had just arrived in Kampala. Around 1500 were awarded certificates and diplomas. There was a mass followed by the reading of all the names with singing, dancing and great excitement. Huge numbers of parents, guardians and students packed the sports field for the colourful event. I was able to open the model classroom in time to show the visitors! (I will put photos and a report about it in another post .)

Excited Graduands dancing as the choir sing and drum.
The college tutors in their gowns with the visiting Archbishop of Mauritius and the Seychelles (a Ugandan on holiday!) processing to the ceremony with the choir and dancers.

The other interesting event was the arrival of a new parish priest at the church attatched to the college. Historic, I was told because it is the first time for nineteen years and he is 'just an ordinary priest', the previous belonged to some branch of the royal family! Parishoners, a brass band, school children and our college students with the college chaplain, waited to greet him and then packed out the huge church to celebrate his first service. Another example of crowds of enthusiastic Ugandans!