Backlog, Ugandan date July3/4, Conference

This year’s conference had quite a different feel than last year’s. I was so excited to see many of the same teachers as last year, both American and Ugandan. Including Sophie from Pope Paul and Anne from Sacred Heart. We have been having many discussions, and did last year as well, about what our purpose is here in Gulu. We certainly don’t want to be the Westerners coming in to “show the Ugandans how it’s done right”. Who is to say that our way of teaching or educational structure is any better than theirs? What I always try to remember is that I’m here to share ideas. We’ll pool some ideas about teaching and anyone can take what they want. Some will take nothing and some will take the ideas and run. That goes for Americans and Ugandans.

What made the biggest impact on me this year was the change in the way that the Ugandan and American teachers talked of education. There was a shift in the dialogue, it was much more positive this year. The overall question still seemed to be “What can we do?” Last year the question was asked with a defeated shake of the head and frustrated hands thrown in the air. This year the question was asked as an honest inquiry with heads huddled together and ideas flowing. It gave me chills and I wonder if it is a foreshadowing of what is to come. Follow through is always a tricky thing.

As Amy has said many times, the relationships we form here are the important things. We will not be what changes education in Uganda, but maybe we can inspire each other to take a closer look at our own educational systems and change them ourselves for the better. Maybe the goal is just to achieve an open dialogue about education between teachers. Maybe that should always be a goal! It was an amazing conference and I could write about it for days, but if you're really interested, just ask me when I get back... I have copious notes!

Love Jo!

PS - Who got the fake tan?? I'm pretty sure it was Jenn, but hoping it was David... and that someone got pics!!!