“This ain’t no Elephant Graceland”

On Sunday morning we packed up all our things in preparation for moving from Elephant Graceland to the Invisible Children volunteer house. I then headed downstairs for some cramming before our bookclub discussion about “Song of Lawino” by an Acoli writer Okot p’Bitek. I am happy to have read and discussed the book as it is very important to the people of this region. At the conference we were discussing Chinua Achebe as one of the classes is currently reading “Anthills of the Savanah.” The teachers at the table asked if we had read “Song of Lawino” and it was so nice to be able to say yes! They were very pleased. I am hoping to pick up a copy of the pair of books “Song of Lawino” and “Song of Ocel” at a bookstore here before I leave.

After the bookclub, a woman named Molly came from the Awer camp with paper bead necklaces to sell. There is a group of approximately 30 women in the camp who make the necklaces. It was a very successful visit for their cooperative.

From there we moved into a discussion about the research we will be conducting with our partner teachers. At Layibi we are examining student life. We discussed research methods, data collection, and analysis. It was all very interesting for me because I have never done research. I am looking forward to all I will learn.

Finally we talked about what it meant to live in the house. This is when Amy, the teacher exchange coordinator made the statement above. Instead of single or double rooms including shower and toilet in each room, we would be living in a much more communal way. I am in a room with twelve beds – bunk beds, three levels high. There are three other multi bed rooms in the house. At the moment there are approximately 30 people staying there. There is one shower, although it does have hot water, which I have yet to enjoy. There is one toilet inside the house which is for pee only. There is an out door toilet for “not-pee” as well as two latrines which I have been advised against using unless there is no water.

We unpacked as quickly as possible before heading out for dinner at Boma restaurant. It was lovely. Five people from our group will be at an IDP camp during the week. The camps are actually being dismantled although some are choosing to stay as over the years, the camp has become home, and will remain as a town. We enjoyed our last night together but did not stay up late as the Layibi crowd had to get to school for 7:15 am. eeeek!

As for sleeping in a room with 11 other people, and next to a kitchen. . . I love ear plugs and eye blinders!

It has been almost a week in the house now, and I can say that it is a lot of fun. Not to mention the delicious food prepared by Doreen!