"Democracy. The word itself is democratic. You can use it however you like.”

This was a recent remark from one of my colleagues here at Kamuge High School during our daily lunch/political commentary session with a panel of about 6-7 teachers. “Do we have democracy in Uganda, Joe?” I laugh casually and strategically disengage myself from the conversation immediately. :)

A brief glance through the window of the house that is the confusing, complicated, frustrating, hopeful, and intense political climate that exists in this country. This is our daily lunch routine. We break bread (or posho – pronounced like fo sho!) and delve into the existing issues of the day/hour/minute.

This is my evening. Filled with a rotating arsenal of reading novels, studying for the LSAT, preparing for class the next day, conversing with friends and family via cell phone, and a night at the cinema courtesy of my MacBook and solar power! Yay! The less light an activity demands, the more popular it tends to be with me. Come about 7pm, my productivity wanes significantly.

What’s currently in my library? Aside from about 40 pounds of Ugandan math and physics textbooks that I explore throughout the week, I’m currently reading The Kite Runner with great enthusiasm. Since I’ve been on the continent, I managed to finish the Bible of a book in The Fountainhead. I’ve also read Monique and the Mango Flavored Rains (written by an RPCV on her experiences in Mali), and half of River Town by Peter Hessler (also an RPCV read). Also included is the occasional Economist magazine whenever I can get my hands on one, though they are nearly impossible to find outside of Kampala.

Side note: I found an amazing internet café in Pallisa Town today. It is amazing because…

A. It is amazing because they play Phil Collins’ Greatest Hits on repeat and the Ugandans sing along, gotta love Phil.

B. The internet is fast (today).

Now for my weekly teaching update…

This week I pulled an idea from one of my colleagues and conducted an activity with one of my streams of S2 Math students. I asked them three questions:

1. Write down 3 things about yourself you’d like to tell me.

2. Write down 3 things you’d like to know about me.

3. Write down 3 things you’d like to learn in this class.

I found the responses to question number 2 particularly entertaining.

Examples…

“Sir, is it true that every person in your country is rich?”

“Sir, is it true that when you die, they just burn you?”

“I would like to learn about your colour.”

“Sir, what made you leave your country and come to Uganda?”

“I would like to know your age and your clan simply because I want to be your friend.”

“Are you married?”

“What is your religion?”

“I would like to know where you come from, that is to say, a continent, country, district, county, parish, and the village.”

I answered all to the best of my ability. Interesting stuff, I’ll leave it at that.

So far, every week this term, my lessons have been interrupted for one unforeseeable event after another. Week 1 marked the beginning of Term 1, hence less than 50% of the students decided to come to school this week. Week 2 the students were there, but Wednesday was Martyr’s Day (a national holiday in Uganda and one that I had no idea was coming). Week 3 marked the celebration of another public holiday (Heroes Day) and thus classes were cancelled for another entire day.

At this point you might be asking yourself, “Joe, aren’t public holidays foreseeable?” Well, normally my response would be yes. However, in this case, I had no idea Ugandans had two days in June to celebrate martyrs and heroes (which are kind of the same thing right?) and nobody bothered to inform me that we would not be having any classes on these days. I discovered it by showing up at the school in smart dress only to realize that it was empty.

Thursday of Week 4 I was interrupted by an HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Campaign Event put on by USAID (United States Agency for International Development). Not only did I not have any idea that this event was going on just one mile away from my school, but it was also sponsored by the USA! Overall, the event in my opinion was an incredible success with a few minor snags.

1. All my classes in the late morning and afternoon were cancelled once again

2. Somehow I got assigned to the front of a single file marching line of the 593 Ugandan Secondary Students of Kamuge High. Even though I had no idea where we were going or what we were doing (a common theme among most of the teachers at my school that day, through no fault of their own).

3. I was somehow introduced as the one presenting these 593 students to the event in front of a crowd of thousands of people. I would have much preferred their head teacher be acknowledged as the one leading them. Oh well! TIA!

But in all seriousness the event was phenomenal success. There were definitely some oddities but a lot of great things happened. First of all, there was a massive line (hundreds) of people waiting at the HIV/AIDS testing booth to find out if they were infected and sick. Second, there were THOUSANDS of people there! They were mostly primary and secondary aged students. Those that will benefit from this information the most, one could argue. They also had skits/songs/dances performed by a few students from each school. We had extraordinary candid conversations among secondary students regarding sex/condom use/HIV prevention etc. Uganda has done an incredible job at eliminating the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and turning it into a united mission fueled by open, honest, and unabashed communication.

Although, while sitting in the scorching sun that Thursday afternoon watching hundreds of young Ugandans line up for testing, I couldn’t help myself from drawing comparisons to the United States. And I thought, look at what’s happening right now, hundreds of Ugandans are lining up right now to find out if they’re sick with a very serious and dangerous virus. The outcome of which could determine how they’re going to live for the rest of their lives. In the United States, we have blood drives. In Uganda, we have HIV/AIDS testing drives. It is probably not a fair comparison, but that didn’t prevent it from crossing my mind. Sure we have diseases in the US, but none that parallel the devastation that is incurred by those such as HIV/AIDS and malaria here. We are truly fortunate.

I am very fortunate. And one of the main reasons I’m fortunate is simply because I happened to be born in the United States of America one early morning in November. 300+ million people each with the same shared advantage.

I’m also fortunate for the directors in my life. These are those that raised and advised me how to act and conduct myself, directed me. Who are the directors of your life? I’d like to personally thank each and every one of you for serving as guides and accelerators in my existential conquest. You know who you are. Thanks.

Joe