February 10^th

Spent the day at Keframa College. They already have more than 150 students signed up for this year, and are expecting more. I sat in on a biology class that was very well taught. But it is a challenge. The teacher has to draw all the drawings on the chalk board. The students have no textbooks. This was a second or third level secondary school course. All 14 of the senior students last term passed their state-mandated final exams.

More tidbits – Some young and adolescent girls, and even some women, bow when they are introduced to you. Another vestige of the colonial past, I imagine.

Internet – I brought a laptop with me which I will leave here when I leave. You attach to the internet by buying a small gadget that looks like a flash drive, from which you can get on anytime, anywhere. Sometimes it is slow and sometimes it kicks you off, but it is great to have.

Sound system – The family where I live, and in fact many families, have a very good sound system, including a sub-woofer. Priorities.

Touching – Everyone shakes hands here almost every time they meet each other. In general there is a lot of touching – holding hands, arms around shoulders, male with male, female with female, but only rarely male with female.

Flies – Just like many of the pictures you see of Africa, there are a lot of flies here, and they land on heads and faces, and everywhere.

Funeral – Susan, the lady of the house, went to a funeral the other day, and I asked her much about it. It turns out to have been for a 32 year old man, who died after a brief illness. He left his widow with four small children and 8 months pregnant. I made some comments about how the families would probably help to take care of the children, and Susan said “if she is lucky they will.” But culturally, the man owns everything, and if they wanted to his family could come in and take their house away. The law doesn’t allow it, but the widow would have to go to court to prevent it, and that is complicated and beyond what is affordable by most. Different reality.