Today we welcomed back our Ugandan friends for a second full day of teacher workshops. We met between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sheila enjoyed greeting many of the teachers and taking their “snap” with an Instamax camera. All thoroughly loved watching their photo develop before their eyes, and some even wore their portrait in their lanyard throughout the day’s activities. We were really grateful that 25 teachers joined us on their day off (Saturday). Many had left behind their home responsibilities and some had children at home with illness, so we appreciated the sacrifices they made to spend the day with us.

Our workshops continued to touch on a wide range of themes (including professional learning communities, special needs, discipline and behaviour, and literacy) across a variety of different grade levels. In Uganda, the primary school is divided in levels that range from nursery (our equivalent to kindergarten), then infant (levels P1 to P3), and then upper primary (levels P4 through P7). The secondary school levels extend from S1 through S4. Both schools are located at the same site in Buikwe, and we enjoyed meeting representatives, including teachers and administrators from both locations in our workshops. The administrators are identified as headmasters (similar to our principals) and deputies (similar to our vice-principals). Other teachers joined us from a school in a neighbouring town as well. Our guest house located onsite proved useful as a location to share resources on identifying special needs of students and appropriate teaching strategies to address them.

Discussion has been lively, interactive and stretching for all. Together, we have developed a relationship of openness and trust by participating in various small and whole group discussions around the workshop themes. We have appreciated the sincerity and honesty of the African teachers in sharing questions that they have about how to be more effective in teaching their students. It is challenging however to come even close to addressing all of the varied topics and areas of interest that they have shared with us. Please pray that we will know how to best use the limited time that we have with these wonderful people to best come alongside and support them as they seek to further develop their teaching practices. How amazing it is to learn of similarities we have in the nature of our shared concerns about our students and their learning needs! God has provided an incredible opportunity for much learning to take place for all of us. What a tremendous opportunity it is to grow and learn together as we meet!

Late this afternoon, we enjoyed some much needed rest and relaxation. We were invited by Henry to gather around the television to watch a live football match between Uganda and Mauritania (Uganda won 2-0) taking place at Mandela National Stadium in nearby Kampala. For you soccer fans, the game was a prequalifying match for the 2015 African Cup. Football is hugely popular and it has been a treat to watch as the children play this game nnd others for hours outside (nearly all in barefeet)! We had a great time with lots of laughter and good times. After dinner, Simon came to help us get our Internet up and running on Sheila and Glenna’s computers. We are now able to post photos successfully. We hope you enjoy them!

Tomorrow, we will be splitting our group to visit two churches for worship. We look forward to the opportunity to praise and give glory to our amazing God in the fellowship of some of the local people we have met over the last few days!

Blessings to all,

Paul