D.E.A.R. Day

March 26^th was a momentous day – Uganda’s first annual Drop Everything and Read Day! DEAR Day was sponsored by Peace Corps Uganda and the Ministry of Education and Sports. Don’t ask me why “and Sports,” after all, it’s not the Ministry of Magic and Quidditch…but the government sponsorship made the day a true country-wide holiday. All over Uganda, schools and other organizations dropped everything and read at 11 a.m. that Wednesday. While the American name was confusing - many of my Ugandan coworkers were actually calling the day “Read and Drop,” which would have been a much more tragic affair – the spirit of the day was taken up wholeheartedly.

Kris and I organized a combined event for both of our schools. 27 of Kris’s first-year college students, who are studying to become primary teachers, volunteered to participate. Before the event, we gave two classes on how, and why, to give in-class read-alouds. We also helped the students to pick out their books for the read-alouds. Seeing them intensely comb through the picture books that the college library owns was really heartwarming. On the day of the event, the students came down to my primary school and divided up to spend two hours reading to each class. This was the college students’ first experience in classrooms as teachers, and it was wonderful to see them up in front of the pupils, sharing their chosen picture books with them, and just having a great time reading. While there were some logistical bumps along the way, overall, the event was a success. Many of the first-years said that they couldn’t wait to do it again. It was a great confidence booster for the college students while at the same time introducing the primary school pupils to some of the many amazing places that reading can take them. The pupils had what I hope was a very special experience; at least their smiles seemed to say so.

My colored chalk was a big hit.

We divided up the larger classes and, luckily, had a brief dry spell during this rainy season!

It was great to see the college students’ enthusiasm and command of the classroom.

Afterwards, the pupils drew and wrote about their favorite parts. 

 There was even a brief musical interlude! Then again, there are always musical interludes here. Which is awesome.

 

The P2 class.

Not every day out here is easy or rewarding, but moments like these – especially the moments with books and smiles - make those difficult days worth it.

“I know it’s hard and lonely work, but it’s so important to reach out in this peaceful way.” – Julie Powell

P.S. It took two hours to upload this blog entry. So thanks for actually reading it.