Today we continued working as we did yesterday at PEDN (Private Education Development Network) sponsored schools. These schools being run by PEDN, an Ashoka program, means that the values of the Network are implemented and taught in these school. What PEDN is aiming towards is to create a new generation of social enterpreneurs who are socially aware, competitive, independant, expressive, open-minded, creative and innovative, team players, essentially honest and socially responsible leaders of a "new" Uganda. The vision of PEDN is "That every young person in Uganda contributes to its socio-economic growth by being competitive and productive in a global society". This vision is facilitated by a mission "to facilitate the development of young people's creative and innovative potential by equipping them with entrepreneurship skills and business education". This vision and mission is maintained throughout all PEDN schools, and the dream of PEDN is brought closer to a reality by the programs that are held in these schools. Programs include: The Super Savers Project (creating school bank accounts for primary students to teach them the value of money), The Young Entrepreneurs Program (creating business models and developing personal and entrepreneurial skills), The Aflatoun Programme (helps break the poverty cycle through social empowerment and financial education), The Newspapers in Education Program (teaching through newspapers, developing reading and writing skills whilst becoming aware of world situations).
The PEDN gave us the liberty of planning our own activities we wanted to do with the children, aged 8-14 at their schools. We decided to break up into two groups of 3 of us and work from there. We had to create a plan for the time we were spending with the children, a plan that had to create a fun atmosphere but that would culminate in teaching the children a lesson that went along with one of the values of PEDN. We decided that each of the two groups would work with one activity. Soccer, or music. Soccer would teach both leadership and teamwork, how all members of a team need to work as individuals but also assist each other to reach a common dream. Music would teach creativity and imagination, both essential values in reaching one's dreams.
Both soccer, or football as it is known here, and music are languages of the world, translatable in no matter where you find yourself.
My group was the one planning music. We decided to spend our time with the kids like this:
1. We began with a human knot game to break the ice and laugh a little. As laughter is the best way to become comfortable with new acquaintances.
2. We would then have a name game, where along with your name you would do an action in the middle of the circle in order to let loose.
3. In turn we then each spoke of our family, and interests
4. We then decided to play the game where we make it rain using our hands only to create the pattering sounds
5. We taught them a song, and then in turn they taught us one of their songs
6. A dance circle was created afterward and each child would teach a dance move to the rest of the members of the circle
7. We went around in a circle and talked about what each of our dreams are, and each youth did the same
8. As with all happy endings, we ended with a group hug.
As a lesson I spoke about the importance of using creativity and imagination in every aspect of ones life. This use of creativity and imagination would then translate directly into the achievement of ones goals and dreams, essentially creating happiness and a sense of fulfillment in each individual. The youth were able to take away the fact, that following ones dreams is essential, and creativity/imagination is the easiest way for this to happen in a manner of speaking.
My second part of the morning consisted of music, the first part was all football. Beginning with an introduction and then continuing on with a comment on the importance of teamwork. The comment on teamwork was forgotten within seconds of the ball hitting the ground, but it was worth a try anyway. We played an intense game of football, culminating in a talk about leadership, with their contributions on what their ideal leader possesses as qualities. The importance and value of teamwork was also highlighted using the example of football to illustrate the latter.
We had a "quick lunch" which turned into a rather long affair and then hurried back to another PEDN school.
This school was much smaller, and a football field, or area to play was not available. We also were surprised to find that 150 kids awaited us instead of the usual 45. We were put to the test and had to come up with activities quickly as Sara, Ben and I were left to our own devices inside a classroom as opposed to outside where we would have space to work our music plan. We managed to be able to work with the Newspapers in Education program, breaking the group into small reading groups. Each of us took a group and let each youth read as we explained words and discussed meaning of what we were reading. Each youth in all the groups then helped us to compile a list of new words they had never seen and we stood at the front of the class and helped define each word, using the occasional action to demonstrate the meanings. We worked on the go, and managed to engage the students and teach as much as possible. This experience was very "Africa" scheduling and planning not being a cornerstone of life in Uganda.
The youth are amazing. They don't take anything for granted, as they know that their education is a gift and their future is a reward that they give themselves. Hearing their dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, musicians, teachers, and happy adults can bring joy to anyone. They are so motivated and being able to be a part of their lives even for only a few hours is amazing. Each one of them can be living hardships, but I think that with the amount of effort they put into their work, and the creativity and ingenuity they have will lead them to knew levels, and we are already able to see that (Steven being a great example of what can be achieved). Its fascinating to see that each an every value that is taught to the youth here is taken as a life goal, something to strive for every minute of every day.
After we finished the day sweaty and exhausted from a rewarding day we headed back to the guest house for a cold shower.
- Yara Sifri
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