"Better to work with a devil you know than an angel you don't know."

We had three working days this week. Monday marked the third and final day of Ugandan elections. Tuesday was International Women’s Day and is recognized as a public holiday in Uganda.

Despite the slow start, the school managed to stay somewhat engaged and organized.

The title of this entry came from my friend, Otoke John as we were discussing who would replace our current Head Teacher once he retired in April. I told him I was hoping for someone assertive, motivated, and productive. I had not heard this adage before but liked it a lot.

While in Kampala last weekend, I purchased a football and netball. The kids were ecstatic to receive them and have been using them each night this week. I had managed to supply them with a football last year but it had gone missing and I have not been able to track it down. So I have to keep a much tighter leash on these ones. The students love to play sports, the only thing holding them back was actually having a physical ball to do so with. The balls run around 40,000 shillings and cannot be found anywhere within a 30 km radius of Kamuge. It still shocks me.

I got this idea from a fellow blogger and PCV here in Uganda. It’s time to meet one of my students, Musana Anthony.

Musana Anthony

Anthony frequents my office just about everyday. He is constantly asking me for past exams, books, and other materials. He copies each of these things down by hand on the paper I provide for him. He is the most studious student I know at Kamuge High School. He has told me on multiple occasions that both his parents are dead, I’m not sure who provides support for him these days. All I know is that he is in my office constantly, he’s quiet, and likeable.

Every once and a while he will ask me for more things like pencils and other supplies and I have to deny him. I’m not here to provide money and physical materials. But I do enjoy the accessibility of academic material my office provides to many students. I enjoy the fact that they feel like they can come in and talk to me and gain some additional resources they would not normally get.

Yesterday, Anthony came in my office and just sat down in one of my plastic lawn chairs that is the fancy furniture of my office. He began reading a UCE (Universal Certificate of Education) book. I have no idea what is in this book, the only reason I knew the title is because I read the cover as he sat there, quietly. I was kicking back doing some marking, lesson planning, and responding to emails while jamming out to some Zero 7. It was a fun day.

I teach Anthony S3 physics. I have to say if anyone deserves a chance to “make it”. It is he. He motivates me to teach extra lessons, “be there” more, and do my best to help him in the most sustainable way possible.