The South Sudanese Refugee Teachers’ Conference was a success. There were approximately 35 teachers from four different schools. From my view, there were some standout moments. The first being the training on trauma. These teachers were not aware they have lived through trauma. They were not aware that their students have also lived through trauma. … Continue reading An Overview
Hope primary school
Meet Anna
Meet Anna. She is a 10-year-old girl from South Sudan. She and her siblings came to the camp 2 years ago with her mom. She has never met her dad. Anna is a poet. Her chances of having her voice heard here are slim to non-existent, but she writes anyway. It is her way to … Continue reading Meet Anna
Holy Moments
On our first day of teacher training an expert on trauma came to talk about PTSD. In a refugee camp such as the one we are in, most of the population has been traumatized, including the teachers. In a classroom with 100 traumatized students there are bound to be behavior issues. What the facilitator told … Continue reading Holy Moments
My Comfort Zone
I have been back from Uganda for 2 weeks. Back in my comfort zone. I have hot and cold running water just a few steps away at any given moment. My electricity works all the time. I have 3 types of ovens and a stovetop, as well as a refrigerator, which is full of food … Continue reading My Comfort Zone
As a Matter of Fact…
The story of how I got involved with a South Sudanese refugee camp in Uganda is an interesting one. I have been asked about it enough times I thought it might be a good idea to write it down. Sometime in the fall of last year, a question popped in my head demanding an answer. … Continue reading As a Matter of Fact…
The Story
The story that got me here, the one that actually got me on the plane to Uganda, wasn’t the fact that there were refugees or even the orphans of war, those exist in many places around the world. No, as compelling as those stories are, I would have been content to read about them from … Continue reading The Story
Exile Life
Our project leader Uche and Mickey, our communicator with the Office of the Prime Minister, have been orienting the team. This includes cultural awareness, as well as a history lesson. There have been hours of questions and answers about the situation in South Sudan and all the people have endured there. It was very informative, … Continue reading Exile Life
Pray for Me
If you had told me a couple of years ago I would be going to Uganda to help establish a school in a refugee camp, I would have never believed you. I walked away from a 20-year career as a public educator with no idea what I was going to do. I only knew I … Continue reading Pray for Me
Michelle's Mosaic 