I observed Eric on Monday morning while he was teaching an English lesson. There were about 60 students in his class for senior 3 (like our 9th grade). Y.Y. Okot is a pubic, all girls schools with so much history. If you have read much about the LRA and Joseph Kony, this is the school that would house kids at night to protect them from being kidnapped. As I walk the grounds, I try to never forget the number of kids that were saved because of the heroic people who risked their lives to save others. Russell Crowe starred in the movie, Machine Gun Preacher, that featured this story. Eric is an amazing teacher and has an uncanny ability to connect with the students. His girls love him and he freely interacts with them.
For the first time in my life, I saw a student being "caned". I've been to a lot of schools in Uganda and know they punish students, but this is the first time I've seen it live. If you look carefully at the picture, you can see one of the teachers holding up a stick (switch) in the air and the matron yelling at the girl. You can't see the girl because she is lying on the ground, face down. The teacher swatted her several times on her butt and broke several of the sticks on her. It wasn't awful, but he definitely made his point. This all took place in the teacher's lounge for all to see. The teacher talked with me afterwards and I told him it took everything I had not to stop him, but he explained this is the way they discipline students here. Despite my opinions, I have to respect the culture and allow it to happen. Many teachers here think that American children misbehave because they are not disciplined. He might have a point, but I will not cane any of my students.
I also got to meet up with the guys' families and I feel in love with this sweet, 6-month-old named Karin. Usually babies cry when they see me because of my skin color, but she embraced me and I soaked up all of her love.
I had a chance to catch up with my parents on wifi at one of th hotels. I know they worry about me, so I think it is better when they see my face and talk with my friends here.
On Wednesday, I made it back to Kampala (which took nearly 10 hours). This is the first time I have traveled across country on a bus and I was a bit nervous. I wasn't sure how I would do, but people went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. My first seat mate was Beatice and she was traveling to Gulu for some business (about 2 hours). People get on and off the bus at different points along the journey and I enjoyed talked with her. I love the hospitality because when people buy food along the roadside, they share it with you. I tried palm fruit for the first time and it was delicious.There was also a woman across the aisle from me who was a primary teacher at Kitgum public. We conversed while she openy nursed her baby. I love how that is not a crime here like it is back in the U.S.
When we reached Gulu, Beatrice got out and I looked for newspaper. People come up to the bus and try to sell things and one of the passengers helped me get a newspaper from the store. All of a sudden, I heard someone yelling my name and it was Beatrice. I had a casually mentioned to her that I wanted honey (you can often find it on the journey) and she had seen it in the store by the bus stop. So, I got out and bought some pure honey and comb. I'm hoping I get it through agriculture when I go back home. My second seat mate was an Indian guy who had a thousand questions for me. He had never really sat and talked with a "white" so he too full advantage of our 8 hours together. He bought me several things along the way, such a maize, water, etc. He was very sweet and I tried to be patient with his curiousity.
We arrived in the bus park about 10 p.m. and I was picked up by my friend Daniel and taken to a gorgeous hotel in Kampala. I'm coming back here later this weekend, so I will post pics then. Love to you all.
