Runyankole Language

The language spoken in Ankole, the SW region of Uganda, is Runyankole/Runyankore. Resources are difficult to find and thus far aside from lessons on campus from the college nurse, we only have an old Peace Corps manual (Peace Corps is NOT generous with their manuals so I can't obtain a new one), a very small booklet I found in a bookshop, and the handout from VSO training.

I am compiling a manual which I will upload when complete. I made a recording of our tutor speaking the basic greetings and most common words used. The file is 2+mg.

Several people have emailed me after finding my blog and have asked for assistance in learning Runyankole. I was able to email one person the audio file, but no one else. I will however do so while in the US over the holidays since I'll have access to high speed internet. I also hope to complete the manual while there.

I have created a basic website which allows uploading of PDF files as well as audio. All files will be uploaded there as soon as complete. The url of the site will be posted as soon as this is done.

Wanted: Computer books

I am tutoring introductory computers and am in urgent need of resources. Danny will be teaching IT next term since some used computers were recently donated. It's possible that the college will have an internet connection early next year as well.

The vast majority of staff and students have had little or no exposure to computers. All are very keen to learn! The computers all have Windows 98 installed so newer books are not desired. The computers have CD, floppy drives, and USB ports.

The most helpful books:

• Basic books such as in the Dummies/Idiots series or any primary school level book.
• MS Word
• How to use the Internet.
• Windows 98
• CD-ROMs for learning computers
• Learning to type programs
• Mouse pads

Many copies are needed as there are about 500 staff and students here. We currently have about 20 computers.

I am requesting that some of you generous, good-hearted people donate and mail books, etc to:

Annie & Danny
c/o Bishop Stuart Core Primary Teacher's College
PO Box 152
Mbarara
Uganda

Thank you!!

Satellite TV!

On the day before the presidential election the salespeople from GTV satellite tv came to our college trying to sell their packages. Danny happened to be around when they came and make a deal to have it installed the same day. I got to watch the election on MSNBC and other channels which thrilled me to no end!

We resisted getting satellite tv for a long time because it would add to the image of a rich mzungu. However, 3 other staff on the campus also bought it, so we don't stand out. Previously we had one local channel which showed a few hours of CNN International a few hours a day and usually had a very bad picture.

Ah, the primitive life of a volunteer.... no washing machine, no oven, no hot water...but we have satellite tv! We only get about 20 channels but four of them are news, four are sports, a movie channel, and even a channel which shows reruns of American tv shows like Friends.

Danny has been showing a movie to students on a big screen every weekend and they are all thrilled! All are shown with subtitles because they have a lot of difficulty with many accents.

President Obama!!

The election is over and I am elated, thrilled, hopeful and optimistic! Today I am a very proud American. This joyous occasion was sweetened by phone calls from my son in Michigan followed by one from my dear (American) friend in Scotland.

President Barack Obama...............YES!!