First Sponsored Student Meeting!

Today we went to Lukung to video tape and record the music of the thumb piano band. We first met the elders under a tree at the school (a common meeting place as they are all former teachers). We thought we were simply meeting the band and then having lunch but as soon as we got there I was introduced to the headmaster and told that one of our sister school students (7th grade sponsored David Ocan) was in attendance there, and I would be meeting him before we moved on. WHAT?!? I was so excited to know that he was close by. Before we went in to talk with him in the Headmaster’s office, the group gave me some background information about the school.  The teachers all lived there on the school compound because of the understanding that this is a lifetime commitment. Ha – which all of us teachers know too well.  They explained that there were 1,015 students in the school with only 15 teachers but the good news was that enrollment was going up. Slowly by slowly they are trying to change the local people’s perception of the importance of education and with the gradual growth of the economy, it seems to be working. Anyway, the government will only pay for 13 teachers so the school had to raise funds on their own to hire more teachers. Another laughable political struggle was that the government claims they don’t need to pay the teachers in the north as much because they have plenty of land and can farm for more income but as the headmaster said, “Now, WHEN do they have time to dig?” For that we have no answer. Similar to Pewaukee there are remedial programs after school to help struggling students as well as cultural dance troops and football (or soccer) practice. So the struggles are many but as I walked the school grounds and witnessed the confidence of the students who attend here verses the ones sitting around in the fields, I see why it matters.

After some time, the boy sponsored by the 7th graders at Asa Clark Middle School, Ocan David, was summoned from his class and led to the principal’s office where we would meet. Oh boy, did he look afraid upon entering! Not only to be called to the office but to have to talk to the Muzungu had to be intimidating! The headmaster kept telling him he could be free with me, and I tried to make a joke or two in broken English, but it didn’t help. So I grabbed the trusty iPad and played the video created by the Pewaukee students that we prepared for them. Since it began, he was memorized. As I showed him all the pictures of American students and explained their grade levels, he couldn’t help but crack a soft smile.  I continued to explain the situation, the kids, the support, the funds, and tears began forming in his eyes. We took out his grades and the headmaster proudly showed me that he had earned the equivalent of all A’s except for English, which I told him he could work on via letter writing to his American friends. 🙂 Sure enough, he began to open up, telling me that science was his favorite subject and that he wanted to be a doctor. That his father had died and he only had his mother and six siblings, three boys and three girls. He, the youngest of all, the first to attend school. Quite appropriately I found out that David’s surname means  “One who has been born into much difficulty.” Later when he left, the headmaster explained that he had to travel 6 kilometers to school and in the rain it is difficult. So, already I’m thinking, how much would it cost to get this kid a bike and a raincoat? Not more that $20 we are told.  What will be neat is building these relationships with our students back at home and letting them take it in any direction they see fit. There is a lot we can do.

We then took some recordings of the thumb piano band (you have to see this to believe it (above): a whole band made out of instruments that come from literally nothing). The name of the band is Can Oniang, meaning Deep Poverty. Their songs were formed in the traditional cultural fashion, each speaking of a message that addressed some cultural issue, the names ranging from Stop Domestic Violence to Where Have You Been Last Night (to stop infidelity, of course :)). It was a whole form of education to listen to Louis interpret the titles and lyrics of the songs and their meanings as I took notes.  Shawn set up a full recording system and before long the women, the children, the clansmen and a small crowd had gathered to watch the show. As I videotaped from my iPad, the kids watched in fascination behind me. Louis, the retired teacher who is the manger of the Sunflower Press and essential in our work, explained to them that if they work hard in school maybe one day they too can travel like me. As with the groups of kids in my memory, there are all kinds: the half-naked, mud-crusted ones with flies all over their runny-nosed faces, their heads cracked with sores and scabs; the well adjusted, fairly dressed ones who are not afraid to approach me and shake my hand; the flirtatiously smiley ones who run and hide when I wave at them. There are so many but watching them in the community made me realize that they are not void of love and attention. All of the elders both scolded and supported them during our afternoon together, and they listened. “Be quiet while we are recording;” “give the Americans some space while we are recording;” “hush the crying baby while the Americans are recording.” And they all just listen. It’s pretty amazing. No one is left out here.  We were quite pleased with the recording and are looking forward to getting some of the music on CDs to sell as a fundraiser. After our first session, Charles and his wife Alice had us for lunch with another highly esteemed couple, Christine and Vinancio. The meal was a feast – who knew steamed pumpkin leaves cooked in Tahini could be so good?!? – and I enjoyed talking to the women about their cooking methods. Before I depart I will cook like a Ugandan! They have promised me!