graduation and one week to go!

This Thursday was graduation at our school, and also closing ceremonies for the grade 9-11 students. It was really wonderful. It is so funny because when I woke up in the morning I thought, oh I don't feel like getting dressed up, and this is going to be a LONG day (our first meeting was at 8 am and I got home at 11 pm). But of course, I loved it. It is so nice to celebrate the students' achievements. You also get a chance to appreciate the relationships you've developped with the students over the year or years as it is with some students. I had three students graduating who had been in my mentor group since they were in grade 9. It was amazing to watch them walk across the stage and think back to talking to them about what to expect in high school. I also thought about the grade 9 mentees I had this year and think about how soon they too will cross the stage. This year's grads have so many opportunities before them and I am certain they will do amazing things.

I can't believe that I leave for Gulu in ONE week! Today I will do some errand running as I will be working on the yearbook in every free hour between Monday and Friday. I have been told to bring lots of wet wipes for those in-between-shower days. And I have to find clothing appropriate to wear to school, they really like the women to wear dresses or skirts but they have to be approximately mid-calf length, and we have to wear a slip underneath. I found a few things in my closet but will find a couple of other outfits.

I watched the documentary War Dance last weekend, filmed in 2005. See the trailer below. It reminded me that although there is peace in the area now, it is very fresh. The children I will teach have all been touched by war. At one point in the film there is a break in the competition. They children are taken on a tour around Kampala. I found this part very touching as the children marveled at the multi-story buildings covered in glass, they played in Lake Victoria -- rolling up their pant legs, and they went to the airport to watch planes take off and land. It is really remarkable how many people live their entire lives within 100 km of where they were born. For these students, the trip to Kampala meant the world.



I am so excited to go. The next update will be written in either Heathrow Airport or Kampala.