Walking to Primary Schools

Got to walk in the village, doesn't happen too often these days, usually stick to the schools closer to Entebbe Road... I forget that i love walking down the red, dusty roads. Hearing the sounds of a hot, Southern summer day.

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I visited a primary school were students were reading young adult fiction. They were reading books that were probably at or above their reading level. I felt like i was in America and i was speechless, i didn't know what to say to the students or teachers.

Later, I was sad to reflect on why students reading surprised me so much; I have become comfortable or expectant of young people either not wanting to read or not being able to read. In the best cases I've seen, the older classes, P6 and P7, read large-print, essentially "picture book" books in their leisure time.

I felt like there was something special about these students and teachers. It's true, they are unique in this Ugandan school system (where students don’t read or question information, where they only have the chance to copy notes from a blackboard and respond to teachers' 10 over-designed questions in choral response.)

But they aren't inherently different. They just are allowed the opportunity to develop an interest in reading, they are allowed the opportunity of access to books, they are allowed the opportunity of a positive, encouraging environment.

Sometimes working here drives me nuts! Because what am I doing besides keeping the status quo?