Over the weekend, on the island, our friends from AGYA visited the secondary school. AGYA, which is a Luganda acronym ending with Youth Association, focuses on after school programs for children that invoke creativity, which lacks in the public school system. Last year, Abraham, the head of AGYA, came to the island for a few days and did some programs with the boys. This year he managed to bring eight other children from Kampala whose skills ranged from poetry and drawing to rapping and break dancing. On Saturday we set up a morning and afternoon program that allowed the kids to choose which class they liked the most. We were able to include the girls this year, which was nice because we didn't have anything planned for them during our stay on the island.
Much of the day was spent taking video and cheering the kids on, but Paul and I managed to get our groove on in the boys dance class. It was a total throwback, learning to the eight-count from a choreographer. It made me realize how much I miss dancing at Larkin and how free it made me feel. I thoroughly enjoyed the movement and have to say that many of the children were quite surprised to see a mzungu getting down and rowdy on the concrete dance floor.
After lunch, Abraham and the boys held a sexual education class in the room to talk about HIV/AIDS and give the chance for the children to ask questions of their own. In a christian founded school, the concept of sexual education is completely shutout to the point where kids only have a chance to learn from their parents. This would be fine if Ugandan parents talked to their children about sex, but that doesn't happen either. Friends are the only place where a child learns, which tends to be construed and filled with untrue rumors. Abraham had a talk with the headmaster before doing the class. Headmaster basically said that he doesn't want any sort of sex ed class happening, but liked the "idea" of an HIV/AIDS awareness class. Thought process: HIV/AIDS is disconnected from sex. The new study from YWAM, a health organization in Uganda that has a base on the island, shows that 8 in 10 people on Lingira island have AIDS. An absurd statistic that absolutely cannot go unnoticed. Abraham, because AGYA is his profession, obviously had to comply out of respect.
Headmaster actually left the island after their talk because of meetings somewhere else, and failed to mention any of their talk and produced guidelines to the teachers. This was a small blessing in disguise. The teachers, who seem very aware of the necessity of a sexual education class were in charge and Abraham basically let the children lead the class. I managed to have a sit-down with a teacher and politely ask if the teachers could be absent from the sex ed class so the kids could feel comfortable. After some hesitation of the teacher and perseverance on my part, he finally agreed. Paul and I decided to be absent from the class as well. We basically sat with the teachers in the break room keeping them occupied with some drawing and guitar playing so they didn't go into the classroom.
After the class, the groups met for a little while longer and then we had a showcase for everyone including the teachers. Paul and I made fools of ourselves on the dance floor, had some laughs, and listened to a lot of poetry and rap. It was all in Luganda, so we didn't understand anything. Listening to the flow of the language was enough to entice my ears, though. Overall, it was a fantastic day that the children thoroughly enjoyed. I even got a chance to play a couple songs on the guitar in front of the kids! Their talents go mostly unnoticed at the school. Football and netball are the only activities that the children participate in on the regular. This was chance for them to personally grab an opening and find their way out of the box. Abraham and the AGYA guys were impressed with the kids' talents and interest in the classes. They listened intently and participated entirely. For a school that has scheduled, mandatory study sessions and classes on Saturdays and Sundays, it was a very well deserved day of fun and awareness.
Our last week in Uganda is looking quite busy. Our work on the fence is basically done, except for Fred's art class painting the sign for it. We have a lot of talking to do with some of the community members and a lot of friendships to say goodbye to, unfortunately. Our time here, other than working on the fence, has mostly been used for establishing and continuing relationships for ourselves and for the EDGE project. Since Paul and I are basically a power team, we have also started some things that need to be completed for next semester. We had Kenny, Abraham's assistant at AGYA, design the new EDGE t-shirts. They are bomb.com with a little slice of hip and a bite of spice. The shirts he has made for AGYA are absolutely amazing, so we are having him actually screen and print them before we leave. An investment that will eventually pay for itself, these t-shirts are half the price they would be in the states. Plus, we have a design from a good friend in Uganda so our connection to the shirts can be much greater.
Somebody get some chocolate on the ready. My body is weak from the lack of sugary, mouthwatering goodness. I miss you all, as always when I'm away. Much love,
AGYAps: this is my 50th post!
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