And we're (a)live!

Greetings from Nabugoye! Finally, after 24 hours of air travel (and trying to stay awake in airports), 3 countries, and 6 hours of driving, I arrived here at 2AM this morning.

As I couldn't sleep very much anyway (body clock is a bit confused at the moment) I rose at 9:30, ate a quick breakfast and made my way to Semei Kakungulu High School where of course the first adult I came upon happened to be Seth, the principal (and brother of Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the rabbi and effective leader of the community--but more about him later).  We talked for awhile, and he told me about his school, the students (who are Christian, Muslim and Jewish and who can choose which religion they want to study, which is not necessarily their own) and himself.  The conversation was fascinating and I most appreciated how he was open to answer anything and everything--he kept prodding me to ask more.  The conversation also prompted the first of many difficult questions that will undoubtedly arise as I pursue my project, one that had crossed my mind even before I set foot on Ugandan soil--what is OK for me to share for the purposes of my work, and what must be personal?  Personal information was related to me, a newcomer, openly,  and I think it could be fascinating in a testimony, and a testament to character and strength, but what am I allowed to share, even without a full name? Seth was so open in our conversation that I felt comfortable already, as I made my way from the school, asking him if I could record the next time we spoke, and he gave his hearty acquiescence.  I guess I will let what he says then guide me and, if I would like to utilize his story, ask for his permission.

After the visit to the school and lunch, I walked the twenty minutes to Hadassah Primary School, where Aaron, another brother of the Rabbi, seemed to be expecting me at the gate despite having no warning  of my imminent arrival.  He identified me straight away by name, which he had learned from the Rabbi due to our correspondence in the past few months.  He showed me around the school, which runs from nursery to P (primary)7 (~ages 6-13), and showed me the timetables, tacked handwritten on an office wall, that showed when all the classes were scheduled.  He pointed out the Hebrew slots, when I would be teaching the students P4-P7 the basics of Hebrew and prayer.  Laid out in individual blocks, each holding two classrooms which in turn each held a different aged class (classes often consist of an entire year in Ugandan schools), it seemed quite new and lively.

Topped off by an exhilarating trip to town (Mbale) to pick up a few necessities and take a few steps down memory lane, my first day here was wonderful, if exhausting.  Already I know there will be much to learn, though I fear not being able to contribute as much as I hope to.  Already there is so much that I can't include here, because there is simply too much to say and my brain will only stay functional for so much longer today.

But if you want to know more or anything specific, please let me know! If I don't know already, I will try my best to find out for you.

Shalom from Nabugoye,

Nava

(PS Sorry about the lack of photos--they take forever to load with my super-sluggish internet!)