Killing the Rooster and Anaka

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  Gulu, Uganda
Thursday, July 17, 2008

The rooster crowed promptly at 7:30 a.m. The Giant in
"Jack and the Beanstock" could not even sleep through this rooster's crow. I
imagined stretching its neck across the guillotine and...whack! There was not too
much on today's agenda. I was scheduled to teach only one class in the
afternoon.

 

Since I had not yet prepared the day's lesson I traveled
to Pope Paul VI to brainstorm with Opira. Our brainstorm session lasted a mere
10 minutes. By this point we functioned like a well oiled machine. I soon left
promising to fulfill a few objectives: Pick up the book shelves for the school
library and go to town to print the day's lesson.

 

In town I was quick and efficient. I even had time to
pick up string for the afternoon lesson. On my way out of town I heard a group
of people calling my name: "Okello, Okello!" The sound came from a nearby truck
of Pope Paul students. Apparently they were in town to pick up school supplies.
I accepted their invitation when they asked if I wanted a free lift back to
Pope Paul.

 

In the cab of the truck I carried on a conversation with
an older Acholi woman. She got a kick out of my antics. I usually find body
language to be the best form of communication when lacking a common spoken
language. I acted out the fear most Acholi must have felt on the streets when I
came strolling by. Even the cows mooed "MOOZUNGU!" The joke was so funny in
fact that even the young child in her arms erupted in laughter (he probably had
no idea what I was saying).

Grab a snickers

 

We arrived back at school at around 12:30 p.m. My one
task left to complete before class was picking up the shelves from a nearby
wood shop. After unloading the truck of its school supplies we promptly turned
around and headed for the shop. Like most Ugandan business, the wood shop did
not keep to its timetable. The shelves would not be ready until the afternoon!
CRAP! It took much coordination to book the school truck once, and now I was
required to do it again! I told the workers I would return the following day in
the afternoon.

 

Back at Pope Paul VI I consumed my posho, beans and meat
and prepared mentally for class. Today was observation day. Amy had traveled
all the way from the IC office to watch our lesson. I was glad she did! Opira
and I prepared our most dynamic lesson thus far. It contained all the
fundamental elements of differentiation. We planned direct instruction, small
group activities, large group participation and an all encompassing review.

 

The students greeted us with a round of applause.  This was a great start. The "Superstars" were
a bright and energetic group. I knew Amy would appreciate this- given her
background in CYT (Christian Youth Theatre). The lesson started beautifully.
James conducted a brief review while I prepared the chalkboard for the day's
learning. Once finished, I took the floor and introduced the day's task. The
class would be participating in an inner- class competition of "economic
development." They would be forced to infer both the advantages and
disadvantages of mineral extraction.

Lunch

The caveat to this endeavor was the
interactive game that followed. After they finished their brainstorm, I used
the nylon I purchased in town to facilitate rich discussion. One student would
list an immediate advantage of mineral extraction and then throw the nylon to another
student to follow up. For instance: A leads to B which leads to C and causes D.
Once all answers were exhausted we gave another section of the room the chance
to out- do the list. To keep constant control we awarded points for respectful
and attentive sections. All in all the lesson was a success. I would make only
a couple of changes if conducting the lesson for a second time: Give
instructions in small increments and facilitate an "inner- group discussion"
(rather than within only one group). Opira and I discussed our room for
improvement with Amy after class. She agreed that while these improvements
could be made, overall the lesson was "amazing." She insisted that it was the
"most engaged" any class has been (at least during her time running the program).
We agreed that our partnership was strong and complimentary. James and I
supplemented each other perfectly! Where I was weak he was strong and visa
versa.

 

I felt great upon leaving Pope Paul. I would return only
30 minutes later to meet with Kenneth and his crew of Senior 6. In the meantime
I delivered the photo I promised a boy by the name of "Okello." I was informed
of the school he attended in his letter which was delivered to the staff room.
Bishop Angelo College was a mere 2 km from Pope Paul.

No complaints

After asking the
headmaster the whereabouts of Okello, we finally had our meeting. You see just
3 weeks earlier Okello and I took a picture since I was his namesake. He was
intent on receiving that photo as indicated by his letters. Now, he would
finally have it. When handing him the photo he seemed mildly disappointed as it
was not printed on photo paper. Understanding his concern I assured him I would
find the necessary paper tomorrow in town. After making small talk we parted
ways.

 

Back at Pope Paul I had my meeting with Kenneth and his
"gang." I must clarify why I use the term "gang." In reality Kenneth would be
the last person in the world to affiliate with gangs. He is amiable, bright,
compassionate and self assured. He has no desire to manipulate people or
participate in violent activity. The reason I use the term "gang" is because he
can always be found with the same crew. His crew consists of Stephen, Geoffrey,
Francis and Sals. They are the best and brightest Pope Paul has to offer. This
was my third meeting with the group. The conversations we had before consisted mainly
of history lessons and personal anecdotes. The tone of this meeting was
immediately serious. Kenneth began by asking me the history of the Invisible
Children Organization. After detailing what I knew, he seemed a bit
unsatisfied. He was most curious to learn which students were awarded
University Scholarships. I told him that I did not know. He explained his
desire to someday be a teacher. He wanted to become a teacher because this job
was "guaranteed salary."   Most other jobs
simply could not promise "steady money." His friends shared his passion. They
too wanted to be teachers. The problem they contended was that they lacked the
necessary capital to attend University. Even if they did pass their exams, they
insisted that the money was simply "not there." I now understood perfectly why
they had brought me to the mango tree. They wanted me to be their sponsor. I
was struck with a conflict of interest. Part of me wanted to accept their plea while
another part of me felt that doing so would undermine the Invisible Children
Organization. The IC awarded scholarships already. Geoffrey, Stephen, Kenneth,
Sals and Francis were just not the ones chosen.

 

They were extremely bright, there was no questioning
that. Their English was sharp, powers of persuasion in tune and resolve clear.
This was admirable: Especially given their intent focus on school despite their
other priorities which included village chores, subsistence farming, and
parental oversight (as most of them were displaced orphans). The few
scholarships that were awarded by the government were given to students
finishing in the very top percentile. How could students with so many
responsibilities hope to receive these? It was inspiring that they even
attended school! And here they were several hours after school concluded, still
intent on completing their studies.

 

I had to think quickly. If I did decide to sponsor them
and word got out, I would be looked at with contempt by both the school and the
Invisible Children Organization. News could also leak out and negatively affect
other students not receiving such philanthropy. However if I chose not to
sponsor these students I may be preventing the best and brightest of northern
Uganda from fulfilling theirs and their country's dreams. I know it sounds a
bit self- proclaimed and over- dramatic, but it's the truth. Kenneth and his
crew were a microcosm of a sad reality. What's even sadder is that there were
many more "crews" like theirs who had potential that may never be realized.

 

In hindsight, I may have given it more thought, but at
the time I accepted their offer under several conditions: They must write me
regularly to inform me of their progress; The offer only stood considering they
pass their entrance exams in March of next year; The fees would come only one
semester at a time; The amount raised by the organization I run at school would
be their major source of funding; and finally they must complete a detailed
application that I would devise.

 

They agreed to all the conditions. I know I may be in
over my head. However, I am confident in my organization at HTMMA. In only its
first year of existence, the students raised $2,000 comfortably. The total cost
to put all 5 students through one year of university is approximately $5,000.
This is certainly attainable. I also feel that students will be more motivated
through this kind of philanthropy. These are ACTUAL children who were displaced
by the LRA and forced to fight in the bush. They have been through the
brainwashing, manipulation and mental torture. Here they were on the other
side, many displaced, orphans of the bush war, willing to better surrounding
society. I felt compelled to assist.

 

Following our conversation, Kenneth and I ran 4 km
together. This was symbolic of our new partnership. He kept up with me stride
for stride. We sprinted the last 400 meters, meeting "the crew" amidst gasps
for fresh air. Here I conversed with them for another hour while a crowd
gathered. The conversation was light and jovial, less stoic than the one held
previously. I loved these people. LOVED THESE PEOPLE! Humble, humorous, and
most of all committed. My eyes are welling up as I write.

 

Tomorrow I will be traveling with Kenneth and the "crew"
to Anaka, their original home. They want to show me the life they must live.
They want me to know of the poverty and hopelessness that has kept most of
their village in despair. Most of all they want me to partner with them in
bringing hope and optimism to this shattered region. How could I refuse? I
looked forward to meeting with them in the morning.

 

To include the rest of the night's happenings would be
anti- climactic and unnecessary....I hope you are excited for tomorrow, I KNOW I
am!!      

 

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