I have enjoyed settling back into my life here in Kampala. Uganda is a beautiful place to live. It is about 85 degrees every day and the sun feels very, very hot. There is hardly a cloud in the sky. They have two seasons here: dry and wet. Right now we are in the dry season where it is hot and sunny every day. I have been using a lot of sunscreen so I don’t burn, but it feels so great to be out in the warm sunshine!

Many of you may be wondering what I eat while I am here. I actually love the food here because it is so fresh. Everyday I go across the street from my house and buy fresh onions, green peppers, carrots, peas, avocadoes, pineapples, watermelons, papayas or tomatoes. The picture above shows what this market looks like. You can also go to grocery stores and buy rice, spaghetti, juice, soda, bread and many of the same things you can buy in the US. This week I fried some fish fillets and ate it with rice and avocado. I also made a vegetable soup from fresh tomatoes, carrots, peppers and onions that I served over rice. It was very good. Last night I went to a restaurant in town and had roasted chicken and potatoes. After dinner each night I eat some fresh fruit. It is so yummy; in fact it is the best fruit I have ever tasted!

This week I did not work at the International School as no subs were needed, but I did spend time with the widows I have been trying to help. They are really struggling to feed their children, pay their school fees and to pay their rent. Some of them are very sick with HIV and other diseases. I have tried to help them get more food and to help them get sponsors so their children can get to school. Even though they have many problems, they are determined to love their children and to do the best they can. Sometimes I cry when I think of how difficult life is for them, but it just makes me more determined to help them.

Next week I will substitute for a 2nd grade teacher at the International School. They are also doing PYP units just like you! It will be fun to see how their school works! I will make sure to give you a full report next week.

If you read my blog last week, I told you how I get around town. One way I get around town is on a “boda, boda.” One of the pictures I put up for you shows me riding on a boda, boda. Can you guess what that is?

Keep studying hard!
Ms. Miller

Back Home In Kampala

I am so happy to be back in Kampala, Uganda where the weather is always sunny and hot. It is such a nice change after the freezing cold temperatures in Minnesota. I heard it was still only 0 degrees yesterday. Yikes! I am so glad to be free of the cold!

I live in the same house with the same family that I lived with last year. The house is located on a main road just outside the city limits. I do not have a car here so I use public transportation. There are currently 3 ways for me to get around town: a large van called a "taxi", on the back of a motorbike called a "boda boda," or to walk. I have used all three forms of transportation in the last week and I am happy to say that I feel very comfortable. The scariest form of transportation is the boda boda. Typically, you ride on the back of the motorcycle and then proceed to weave in and out of traffic. They drive fast and very close to other cars. It is dangerous, so I am very careful about when I take them.

I went to the International School today and met some of the teachers that I will be subbing for. My first subbing job will be for Ms. Infield, a teacher originally from the UK. She teaches 2nd grade and only has 10 students in her class. That's right 10 students plus a full time teacher's aide. Can you imagine if you only had 10 students in your class? As part of their PE class, they go swimming every day in the beautiful outdoor pool. It is so beautiful! I will try to include some pictures next time I write to you.

This afternoon, I will be visiting some very special ladies. I got to know some widows last year. Widows are women whose husbands have died. Most of these ladies are sick with a disease called HIV and are struggling to care for 5 or more children. They are living in poverty. Poverty is when you can't meet two of your three basic needs. That means that most of these women are unable to feed, clothe or provide shelter for themselves and their children. I spent a lot of time last year trying to help these ladies, so this afternoon I will visit some of them to see how they are doing.

I hope you all are working hard at school and being good for Ms. Graef! Feel free to email questions or comments. I would love to hear from you!

Ms. Miller