It is hard to believe that I will be leaving Uganda in 11 short days. What an amazing experience this has turned out to be. This week’s blog will be shorter than normal as things are very busy with last minute school visits, meetings, and reporting. It feels like there is not enough time to get everything done before I leave.
A country of extremes- While the farmers were all complaining that rainy season was less rainy than normal; it was certainly more than enough rain for me. Many days I couldn’t do computer work because it rained all day and therefore we wouldn’t have any solar power. We are now officially into dry season and a drought. To the point that when I woke up this morning I was told that we couldn’t wash clothes today because we didn’t have any water! It also feels like we are living Stienbeck’s great dust bowl of America. Without any rain the roads are so dusty that I have to keep my eyes closed when ridding on a boda-boda; I just hope the driver has his eyes open!
An international dinner table- Last week, I stayed at my favorite guest house in Fort Portal as I was working on reporting and data entry that needs to be done before I leave the country. There were fascinating guests from all over the world! We eat family style at dinner so I dinned with people from Ireland, England, Germany, Uganda, NYC, the Netherlands, and Massachusetts. Some were on vacation traveling to all the great parks that Uganda has to offer. Others were working on projects ranging from doctors with a boarders, community libraries, church schools, school improvement and eco tourism. I even met a family with three kids from America who had been here eight years!
Data entry even in Africa- Last week, I entered over 500 surveys from children and teachers into a spreadsheet. While the work is not very exciting to say the least, it was heart breaking to see the following comments from children:
"If you go into the national park the wild animals there can eat you"!
In answer to what are the biggest environmental problems in Kibale National Park many replied with: that’s where rebels hide and animals that kill people live there (elephants)!
In answer to what you like most about forest, most children replied getting firewood!
The teachers had more uplifting comments:
“I am very grateful with the methods used by Jamilyn Cole when presenting to us and how she involved all of us actively in learning situations.”
“I truly appreciate for the arrangement of this training for it has made a great change in my way of doing things. “
“The training was so nice. May God bless Jamilyn Cole.”
“Let this UNITE remain forever and ever.”
“I leanrt many methods of teaching the conservation of environmental education.”
Most helpful “The methods and teaching games. Confidence and decent dressing of the facilitator Ms Jamilyn (African style of dressing not trousers).”
2 comments:
Hi Jamilyn,
Since you will soon depart Uganda, I want you to know how much reading your blog has meant to me. My name is Joy and I was involved with UNITE during my career at the NC Zoo. I, too, coordinated teacher workshops, visited schools, stayed with Tinka's family and fell so much in love with Uganda that a part of my soul lingers there even now. Your blog has helped me relive many of my own experiences (yes, even data entry!)
It seems you have done a wonderful job advancing the UNITE mission & I'm so pleased the Zoo was able to recruit such a competent, caring, enthusiastic educator. Perhaps we can meet some time face to face and share stories.
Please tell the Tinka's and teachers how much I love and miss them. And - best of luck to you with what ever lies ahead. You can be sure you have touched many lives over the past few months in ways you'll never even imagine.
As for coming back to NC - SAFE journey!
Thank you for all you've done!
WOW!! This has been a wild ride, aye??? I really enjoyed reading your blog too- thanks for keeping us all in the loop here...I truly learned a lot from your experiences!
I can't wait to see you when you get back! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help pave the way back to the land of Oz.
Much love,
Carissa
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