Paper Mache Monday

On Monday, I taught a lesson on how to make paper mache to the P3 class. I have never before attempted to make paper mache with 55 kids, but surprisingly it went quite smoothly. We went outside under a tree to make our bowls since it was going to get messy. The air was filled with laughter and giggling as we worked. All the kids seemed to really enjoy getting messy and making their paper mache bowls.

My Week in Kiyindi

This week I spent my time at the primary school in Kiyindi. The staff and the kids were so welcoming that I felt like I was at home. Everywhere I went I was escorted by a mob of kids, all wanting to hold my hand and walk with me. They are all very sweet.  I have tried to capture of a couple of pictures of them, but it usually turns into a camera riot with all the kids trying to get to the front of the picture. :)

I also had the opportunity to teach a couple of art lessons in the P3 class. There are 55 students in the class, but they were all so well behaved that you never would have guessed there were that many in the classroom. They all worked so hard to create their beautiful works of art. :)

On Tuesday, I got to join the rest of the staff for a party/celebration. All the students were sent home from school a little bit early (around 2 pm) so that the staff could have a party to celebrate the success of the exam marks from P7 last year. Kiyindi had the highest scores in the region and all 131 students qualified for secondary school. :)

There was always so much going on at the school. I had the opportunity to visit a few different classes and they were all filled with so much energy and enthusiasm to be at school learning. I am looking forward to next week when I will be back at Kiyindi for more fun times. :)

A Day in Jinja

Thursday

On Thursday, I travelled to Kiyindi to one of the primary schools I will be helping at. It was great to see some familiar faces from last July and to meet some new teachers as well. I found out that I will be working in a P3 (grade 3) class and a P5 (grade 5) class. Both classes were very welcoming and drew me lovely pictures to welcome me into their classroom. Each class also gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Starting on Monday, I will be travelling to Kiyindi each day for two weeks to work will those classes.

Friday
On Friday, I spent my day at the primary school in Buikwe. I will be there for two weeks after my two weeks is done at Kiyindi. It was great to spend see the teachers and spend some time in the classroom. It was especially nice to spend a large part of my day in the P2 class, as my sponsored girl is in that class. I was also able to get some of the bags out of my room and give some of the supplies and materials to primary school in Buikwe.

Saturday

On Saturday, I travelled to Jinja with Henry, Stephen, Diana, and Mariam. We did some sightseeing in Jinja and went to some of the more tourist spots. We travelled to the source of the Nile and toured a reptile park located there. It was interesting to see and learn more about some different snakes, turtles, and lizards found in Uganda. After seeing the source of the Nile, we went to a hotel in Jinja to go swimming.  It has been very hot and dry here every day and it was very nice to relax and cool off in the pool.

Sunday

On Sunday, I went to Pastor Herbert’s church, which is located just up the hill from the guesthouse. I got to help Sarah with the Sunday school program at the beginning of the service and then attended the second half of the service after that. For Sunday school, the kids come out of the service and meet in a room located behind of the sanctuary. The children learned a bible story, practiced their memory verse and sang some worship songs.

In the afternoon, it finally rained!! It hasn't rained in Buikwe since December so it was a much needed break from the dry and dusty weather. The plants and trees now look green again instead of orange from all the dust. 

Sorry I haven’t posted in a few days. I have been very busy getting settled and the internet hasn’t always been working for me. So here is an update of the past few days.

Monday

Monday I spent the whole day unpacking and organizing my pile of bags. It looked like an explosion in my room during the process, but for the most part I have under control now and in neater piles throughout the room.  I am very much looking forward to getting things to the schools so I can have some moving space in my room J

It was also great to have some time with the other current guests at the guesthouse getting to know them a bit better. There is a couple from Alberta who will be here for another two weeks, and two nurses from New Zealand who will be here until the beginning of April. They are all wonderful people and I have enjoyed spending time with them.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning, I went up to the church to sit in on a presentation that was being given to some of the school girls aged 12 and up. It focused on respecting their bodies, the risks of pregnancy and abortion and they were taught how to make feminine hygiene pads. Unfortunately, most girls and women cannot afford to buy pads every month, so a midwife and nurse were able to teach the girls how to make their own pads. They also taught the girls some good hygiene practices. Girls from different high schools in the area attended and it is hoped that they will go back to their schools and teach their friends what they learned.

Wednesday

On Wednesday, I went and helped at a sports gala put on by CHAP. There was a football and netball competition for a few local schools. This kind of event draws a large crowd as loud music is played to bring people in. While the sports games are played, CHAP sets up a large tent to provide people with free HIV testing. It was a big success as 84 people were tested for HIV.

Arrived Safely

I have made it to Uganda. Sorry for the delay in posting, I was very tired after almost 22 hours of travelling and I have had a little difficulty connecting to the internet.
Today I had a fun day travelling around Kampala with Henry running some errands that needed to be done (change money, get a phone, and an internet stick, etc.). Tomorrow, I will be going to church in Kampala before making my way to the guesthouse in Buikwe. Then Monday will come and I have the overwhelming job of unpacking and sorting through 10 bags. The bags all arrived safely, except one bag that has a small rip and I will find out Monday if I lost anything. Thank you to everyone who prayed for safe travel for both me and my bags :)
I will try to update this blog as often as I can and post pictures soon :) If you don't hear from me, assume that I am having technical difficulties, aka the internet doesn't like me that day lol :)

1 More Day to go!!

Tomorrow is the big day that I leave for my trip to Uganda.  I will be spending at least three months there, where I will be volunteering at two primary schools. One in Buikwe and the other in Kiyindi. 

I am very excited about my upcoming adventure and look forward to seeing some familiar faces from last summer and making lots of new friends along the way. 

I have been busy over the past week packing for the trip. Thank you so much to everyone who donated school supplies and materials, and for those who will be praying for me during my trip. 

Here's a look at all my bags :)