Thursday: Divide & Conquer! Gathering Information...

 Thursday, August 25, 2022

Hello to our friends and family! We had a marvelous, busy day! 

Diana, Sue, Keneth, and Karen spent the first part of the morning unpacking all of the suitcases and distributing items for Muko High School, Mulore Primary School, the ACT Resource Center and individual gifts.

Dave, Dick and Barbara worked at the High School studying the textbook situation in the morning. The situation is "bleak" to quote Barbara. The meeting was productive in understanding what the needs are. An example of that need is that our S6 students have to prepare for national exams without any books or kits like dissection tools. So on a test a student may be asked to dissect a cockroach and they have no tools or prior knowledge of such a process. The computer lab has four computers now that need to be upgraded. They are needing batteries and other repairs. The short term goal is to have 20 computers but the long term goal is to have 40 computers. Covers are necessary in Uganda due to the amount of dust. Our sewers have already been alerted for this need.

Dave spent a good part of his day working with Prudance on financial reconciliations. It has been great for them to be face to face. 

Karen worked all day with Keneth on MUSIC. It is hard to describe how difficult it is to conduct music lessons over ZOOM. For some reason, the microphone does not pick up every tone. So as Keneth plays, Karen must "imagine" some of his melody. What a gift it was to be together! Keneth and Karen played duets, studied his current lesson material, looked over the instruments and bows, and prepared a piece composed by Keneth to record for the community to hear.

Diana looked at the inventory of baskets to determine which crafts will be coming back to the USA. The new baskets and sewn items will be divided three ways, between Traverse City, Lansing area, and Midland. We hope everyone is looking forward to fall sales. In the afternoon, Diana and Sue met with Phoebe and Lovina to discuss the changes in our requests for basket shapes and colors. New patterns will be introduced to our sewing group as well. 

Rev Philip, Generous, Rev Joshua and Eric Barisgara in the doorway of the new Science Lab

A ZOOM call was made from the ACT Resource Centre to the USA with the science teachers, Rev. Philip, and Deputy Head Teacher, Eric, from the high school and scientists in the US, Dr. Lynn Pottenger, Dr. Tom Lane, Dr. David Molzahn. Our combined efforts are building a new science lab. In response to the question of what was needed, each teacher responded from the following disciplines: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Agriculture, Math The Team learned about what they teach and what is needed to improve delivery to students. Three of the science teachers rode back to Kabale with us following the ZOOM. We were so impressed with these 3 young men and their dedication to teaching. They travel from Kabale to Muko and back every day - 2 hours of travel on top of an 8 - 5 school day. One said the students are working so hard and that inspires them. 

 

Chemistry, Math, Biology, Physics, Agriculture and IT teachers with Rev Philip

We returned to our hotel at about 7pm and ordered dinner. We are typing this post as we eat dinner. We wish you all the best.


Comments

  1. LynnAugust 25, 2022 at 6:11 PM

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  2. LynnAugust 25, 2022 at 6:14 PM

    So great to read about the busy and productive day y'all had! I can assure folks that the zoom telecon on the MHS science labs was exceptionally useful and inspiring! The science teachers from MHS were so impressive--they answered our questions with significant detail and knew exactly what is needed to make the labs functional. They all ended with how they believed the improved science labs would inspire the students and significantly improve the students' success.
    Fingers crossed we can identify the sponsors we will need to push those science labs over the finish line into reality. Let us know if you are interested in joining this effort.

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