I should really be packing right now, but I can’t think
about that right now. It is our last day at Shimoni, and as strange as it is, I
will miss this place. Our time here has been bittersweet. The beds were not
exactly comfortable, many of our meals were late, and the water ran out most
days, but the hospitality of Shimoni was undeniable. More than once, I had
things carried for me, small things like my water bottle. Throughout, I was
called madam, Teacher, or Tutor. I never once felt disrespected or unsafe. I
have gotten to know so many students in such a short time. My 50+ students have
absolutely stolen my heart.
The first week of bootcamp was intense. I was constantly
being critiqued for things I simply didn’t know. It’s not like those giving
feedback were trying to be mean, but it is hard to constantly hear all the
things you’re doing wrong. It was difficult to get to know the students at
first, and I was having serious problems understanding their Ugandlish. My
lessons were absolutely not what I wanted to be teaching. But somehow I made it
through with a positive view of my experience to come. Without the first week,
I would not have been able to build the relationships that were so important to
my overall experience.
The second week we taught content instead of literacy. Of
course, all of our lessons had to include literacy, but since I will be
teaching science and ICT, these lessons were much more aligned with what I’m
going to be doing. We had more freedom in how we were teaching. Also, we really
got to learn about the students, their dreams, and most of all, their senses of
humor. For example, I tried to make a joke that I weigh 1, 000, 000 kg, and I
was the only one laughing…. Live and learn, right?
Now we are getting ready to move into homestay. I am so
excited to be learning the language!! My only worry is that I’m going to have a
hard time being away from the people I have gotten so close to….
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