Working with Literacy in Uganda

So, the impression given off by my last few posts might have made it seem that all we are doing here is gaming and running away from safari ants. The reality is that those moments are few and far between. We are currently in “teacher boot camp.” In the morning, Kris heads to the local primary teacher’s college and I head to the local primary school to give lessons, co-teach with Ugandans, and observe both our fellow trainees and counterparts. In the afternoon, we attend sessions aimed towards improving our teaching, promoting literacy, implementing positive behavior systems in local schools, and various health/cultural/safety issues. The evening is mostly devoted to planning for the next day, although there is generally also a yoga/Catan/Dominion/Frisbee/netball game happening among this super-active group. Finally, we all crash for the night in our 8-person dorm rooms. It’s exhausting, but keeping in mind what we hope to do here makes it worth it.

Uganda has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Along with USAID, Peace Corps is trying to hit the target of improving the reading skills of 1.5 million children in Uganda by 2015. This is an extremely tough task as at this time in Uganda, there is actually no economic benefit for completing primary or secondary school. Additionally, there is only a small benefit for completing college. While 400,000 students a year receive their Bachelor’s degree, there are generally only 9,000 jobs available for that entire population. Another staggering statistic currently affecting Uganda is that 78% of the country is under thirty years of age, and 54% is under the age of fifteen.

A huge part of our jobs here will be reaching that youth by working with both teachers and students in primary schools and primary teacher’s colleges. While the above facts make our work here an incredibly daunting task, it helps to reflect upon the importance of that task. Studies have proven that a 1% growth in the literacy rate of a country leads to a permanent 1.5% growth in GDP annually. Being a part of that, however small, would certainly be amazing. 

"It's not what's going to come at you. It's your reaction to those things." - Paul, Assistant Country Director

A Taste of Training

While I can, here are some snapshots from life here. 

The organic farm we stayed at for the first two weeks.

 Learning how to bucket bathe!

 First time doing laundry by hand - and in style!

 Greeting at a primary school we visited.

 Sleep while you can! (Kris is the one in the middle). 

 The sorting hat decided our site placements!

Our beautiful Thanksgiving view.

 An awesome newsletter in our very first mail delivery!

Ending on some wise words from a wise woman.

Once a Gamer, Always a Gamer

Even in Uganda, it follows us wherever we go...

Antsy Pants

I had ants in my pants today. Literally. No really, literally. Kris and I were taking a walk around the farm after a delicious Thanksgiving dinner when suddenly my legs starting stinging. I pulled up the cuff of my jeans and tore a safari ant out of my calf. Realizing that there were more up there, I ran back to my room, ripped off my pants, threw on my towel and headed to wash off. Stephanie, a fellow Peace Corps trainee, happened to come by just at that moment and caught Kris rather awkwardly standing outside the room holding my pants while I stood there in just a towel. While the “I had ants in my pants” line wouldn’t really fly back in the U.S., here in Africa, it works.