Thursday, March 20, 2008

Rain keeps falling

I felt the need to write a post concerning my language acquisition here at training because I now identify with the struggle faced by English Language Learners. Today was the Mock Language Proficiency Exam, which tests our ability as volunteers to interact in the local language. As I already explained, Ateso is a Level 4 language comparable to the Slavic languages. In essence, very difficult. Anyways, yesterday I had my lightbulb experience. At some point during the day, I knew how to put nouns and adjectives and verbs (conjugated, at that!) together to make coherent sentences. I was ecstatic at this news because it happened the eve of our mock interview. Staying up all night with my flash cards and grammar manuals, I spoke to the geckos in my mosquito net. My host family remarked at my chatty behavior over tea this morning. They heard every word (not that they understand Ateso, as they speak Luganda) due to the construction of our house. The walls are like any home, raising to just about 8 feet, but after that is nothing. No ceiling. If you thought you didn't have privacy, you didn't get to hear all houseguests and see their every move (think shadows). Too funny. So here I am, mere minutes after my mock interview and I feel the struggle of every kid in America who speaks a language other than English. Cut them slack, because they deserve every bit of it. Language comes at different moments for different children, and they will experience their lightbulb when they are ready. Appreciate their other language (especially if you don't know it) and be patient.

One more story for today: I was trapped inside the pit latrine a few days back. Yes, with the cockroaches (the size of small children) and geckos and the rancid smell of the things twenty feet below the hole I call a toilet. Why, you ask? Because a cow decided to move all 500 lbs of itself in front of the pit latrine door. Now, I am not the strongest person. After a few (more like 25 minutes) the cow moved and I made a successful exit. I told my family about it and their suggestion was to pray next time so that the cow moves earlier. Holy cow now has a new meaning.

As always, I miss everyone like WOAH. Take care and I'll write more soon.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Half way through training

Dear Friends,
I send best wishes from Uganda. As of now, I sent out letters, but there is no guarantee that they'll arrive. Keep your fingers crossed and check the mail. Back to my status: I'm quite well these days. Each day brings a new experience that helps me integrate into the Ugandan lifestyle. Tea is my new coffee. I forget I'm in Uganda still, but now a stampede of cows reminds me how far away from home I actually am. I eat bananas everyday in some form and can't stomach dairy and meat. I awake at 5:45 to have alone time and do my yoga. Everyone is curious with my whiteness. Kids follow me and touch me to see if I am real. One girl tried to smear my whiteness onto her skin the other day. Women still fall to their knees when I greet them to show respect. Don't worry, I explain to them that it isn't necesary and I understand their respect without falling into the dirt. My hands are no longer soft due to washing my clothes by hand. I no longer mind the cockroaches and geckos because they manifest my mosquito net on a nightly basis. I'm not a backseat driver because I fear to look forward, as I will see a near head-on collision. I constantly jumble my English and French with Luganda and Ateso. I no longer chew my nails because it could lead to worms. I brush my teeth because cavities are not accepted nor treated. I now wear trousers because pants are underwear. I survived food poisoning and am 10 lbs lighter because of it. I go to bed at 9 PM because I have no more energy. My thighs are strong thanks to my pit latrine. My dreams kick ass thanks to my malaria prophylaxis. I have a twin sister to maintain credibility. I'm getting used to constantly being watched, if that is even possible. I see how Ugandan Education is teacher centered, with lecture dominating the day. I conduct workshops on progressive education methods and model styles in the schools. The other volunteers asked me if I'm afraid to be in Uganda, and I answered that I'm more afraid to lose a part of my identity that was so major prior. I'm in awe that I'm actually forgoing reason and taking the long way around. I smile, I make jokes, I laugh, I get sad, I cry, I miss you, I miss the old me, I dream, I aspire, I look forward, I live, I give thanks, I challenge myself to learn, I write you so WRITE ME BACK!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

First UGA post

Hello people! I write to you from Kampala, UGANDA! I don't have much time, so the post will be short. I am safe and sound and growing more accustomed to my surroundings with each new day. The landscape is breathtaking and I forget that I am in Africa most days only to be reminded by 20 kids running after me screaming MUZUNGU (white person). I have training six days a week to learn Ateso, the language of the Eastern region in country. I speak Luganda at my homestay, a lovely older couple who thinks I am too thin and that my cough is TB. :) I already taught a 4th grade class for the last few weeks and realized how much I miss teaching. I have a great group of volunteers and we are the strength we need for one another. I hope to write another post in a few weeks, so until then, write me. I expect responses to all and any post I send you because a stamp is half a days wages here in Uganda. Send me notes about all occurences in your life and the American society I kind of hate to admit that I miss. :)