Welcome...

...to Kabale Trinity College!
Ok, since I haven't posted in a while and don't really have any news updates, I thought I'd share a little bit more about the place I will be spending the next two months of my life. So without further ado...(cue drumroll)...a virtual tour of KTC!
So, the basics. In Uganda, as well most of Africa, a primary school education is all that is required by law. This elementary education is free, and if a student wishes to have more schooling, they must pay for it personally. Secondary school is divided into six classes: Senior 1 through S-6. The education received is roughly comparable to junior high through junior college. Students can choose to quit after S-4, around the "high school graduation" point. Students range in age from about 12 to 23. It is pretty common for students to take a year or so off because of lack of money, family obligations, etc., resulting in the wide range of ages. Most of the students live in school dorms, and are fed three meals a day. Whether schools have religious emphasis or not (most do, to varying degrees) is entirely up to the administration. For example, KTC places great importance on spiritual training, but is not really called a "Christian school." After secondary school, students can continue on to universities, and receive degrees in various fields.
And now, permit me some bragging on KTC. It was started around 15 years ago by Joab Tumwebarize who is the director (administrator). I cannot say enough about Joab! He started the school because he felt called to offer an education to kids who would otherwise not be getting one. His first students were a handful of kids either too poor to go anywhere else or delinquets who had been kicked out of other schools. There are now around 2,500 students, and it is one of the most highly regarded schools in Uganda. It is the most highly represented secondary school at the Kampala (Uganda's capitol) university. Like I said, I can't say enough about Joab. People respect him, students and peers alike. In a place where school fees are hard to come by, he makes sure that the kids who really have the desire and potential to excel receive the opportunity.
KTC is currently on two campuses; the original one is a converted cattle yard that they rent out and the second is on land owned by the school. In 2006, a new chapel was built on the school's land, and KTC is currently in the process of moving the entire school over to the new campus.


The chapel building, and students lined up to welcome visitors. Yes, a brass band is part of the welcoming fanfare.

Students at chapel. These are boys and girls; the girls shave their heads to prevent lice which can become a problem because of the cramped quarters in the dorms.

Some classrooms around the original campus.

Inside a classroom. No textbooks are used. Students take efficent notes from the lecture.

Students in line for lunch. The pavalion with the smoke coming out of it is the kitchen.

The typical meal- beans and posho (corn meal).

Inside a dorm room. Bunkbeds are three high.

Weekend entertainment.

So, that is a little bit of life at Kabale Trinity College. Come and visit some day! In other news, welcome to all of my new friends! It's lovely to have you here, and I'm looking forward to sharing the adventures to come with you all. Fourteen more days!