Becky's Arrived at Her Posting

Becky is at her posting, and we spoke with her on Saturday. She’s living on campus, in a guest house. There are several other rooms in the guest house, with other teachers as residents. There’s a space in front of her house with marigolds growing. Becky asked about planting a vegetable garden, but roaming cows, goats and chickens create a problem. There is a chance for a fence sometime in the future.

Becky arrived at school just in time for the delivery of report cards, and the students leaving for a month. She’ll spend the time before they return settling in and taking two weeks of training along with other Ugandan teachers in her district.

Becky’s assignment will primarily be to teach S-2 (9th grade) biology, which will include nutrition, plants and animals, transport of water and nutrients, and some other things. There is a standardized curriculum with standardized tests. She’ll be teaching four classes. Also, she has a part of the classes for S-5 (12th grade) covering ecology-related topics, with an ecology project, and S-6 (13th grade – it’s a British-system school) covering evolution.

The school was private, but is now public. The S-5 and S-6 classes are small – about 15-20 students. These students started before universal education started and pay higher fees. Some of these students are up to 30 years old, having interrupted school to work and save money to pay the fees. The S-1 and S-2 students have come up under the universal education program, pay only about $5 per term, and will continue to pay these lower fees through S-6.

The school is very near town and Becky is starting to learn the local shops. One of the staff, an accountant, will take her into town on Tuesday for the full tour. One of the goals is to get a Post Office box; stay tuned for a new mailing address. Also, Becky hopes to find the local internet café.

Food is an area of even more interest now that Becky’s cooking for herself. Milk, about a pint, is delivered daily, for 20 cents. From, she’s told, a “good cow.” Milk has to be boiled before drinking. She’s made yogurt, which “kinda-sorta worked.” Some food is very inexpensive: greens and bananas 5 cents, avocados and tomatoes, 10 cents. Oil and butter are somewhat more expensive. Sugar, and anything containing it (candy, cake, etc.), are much more expensive and are a real treat.

The economy is pretty much cash, and banks are expensive to use. Becky’s stipend goes into a Ugandan bank. An ATM transaction is 35 cents (more if you use a teller inside), which is relatively high compared to local prices. And interest rates on loans can reach 25%.

Barbara (Becky's Mom)