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So I am writing this a week in...having arrived here in Kagoma, Mubende last Sunday after spending the night in Kampala. We spent a week getting to know the school, and meeting students and generally learning the way of life. School starts at 8 am, finishes at 4.40pm and they have 9 lessons a day. So the very early mornings are a bit difficult especially as Ugandans dont like going to bed before Midnight! I taught my first lesson today, me and Becky are mainly in the Secondary school, which currently consists of 3 classes as it is a new school. I am teaching English Literature and Language to these three classes. Hopefully also helping with some art and sports...we may be teaching the girls to ride a bike as many women dont over here. The students are very attentive...asking lots of questions...always starting with 'In your country..'! We had a few problems to start with concerning the language...however as long as i speak slowly and simply they understand what we say.
We are living in a nice 'wing' of a house, with a large bedroom, bathroom with a flushing toilet and sink! everything around the house is basic but very comfortable and the people are extremely friendly and always smiling. Where we live there are several families together and around 7 children under the age of 8 including two small babies...one of which took one look at us when we first arrived and screamed at our funny white skin! (she has only just got used to us!) Although some of their English is limited we are managing to understand each other...although Round and round the garden is getting a bit repetitive! The food is good...and at the moment the women are doing the cooking so we are managing to eat something however we are hoping to learn the Ugandan way very soon!
We had an interesting experience with rats in our room the other night...however we think we have sorted the problem which is good as I wasnt impressed with the 4 O' Clock wake up call!
We went to church on Sunday morning which was quite boring as we didnt understand any of the service as it was in Lugandan! However we went to the school in the afternoon and taught the primary children some songs...they are very energetic and very loud singers...and really enjoyed The Okey Kokey...although i felt like i was going to pass out from the heat at the end after running around with 100 children!
We have visited a couple of the nieghbouring towns...which is a very interesting experience as EVERYONE stares at you and I have felt unbelievably white! Me and Becky are getting to the point that we forget we are white until we look at each other! Starting to get a bit of a tan...although it is very hot ( and they call this the cold season!) many of the students have been asking if we will turn their colour and there has been a great fascination for feeling our skin and hair as apparently our skin is much softer and the hair is so different.
So we are starting to adjust to the culture and starting to learn the language..specifically Muzungu which means White person as it is shouted at us in the streets! Having a fantastic time and missing eveyone at home. Hopefully write again soon...or when something exciting happens!
Love N xxx
- comments
oli Sounds amazing :) keep us updated with any happenings you deem blogworthy :) missing you here x
Uncle Stuart Hey Naomi, Good to here all is well and you have the luxury appartment!! Not too sure about the rats though. They are to me as crocodiles are to Hannah. Keep having fun and keep writing and most of all stay safe.
Jo Great to read your blog and hear about all your adventures so far. Went to hear an African Children's choir, mainly from Uganda, with your Mum and Hannah - fantastic singing and dancing - we thought of you. Lots of love. xxx
Anita Found your blog and really enjoyed reading all about your adventures so far. You sound to be really enjoying it, which is great. Enjoy it all, even the rats! You'll tell stories about your year for the rest of your life. xx