FRIENDSHIP Telemark Uganda

Congratulations to Mengo SS

2011-12-25T11:23:00.001+01:00

Mengo comes second in National Human Rights Quiz. The quiz was organised by the UN - Human Rights Office and HURINET - U, and took place on Thursday at Ndere Center, Ntinda. Mengo was represented by students from the UN Club, and produced the best Girl in the Quiz. The school was awarded a silver medal on Saturday 10th December at Hotel Africana
Congratulations Mengo SS! Keep up the great work!

Reflecting on values

2011-12-25T11:18:00.001+01:00

Another thing that surprised me was how hardworking they are. Apart from spending 10 hours in school, they also use much of their spare time studying and very little of their day is set apart for rest. I’ll use a Ugandan friend of mine as an example. After school it takes him two hours to get home. When he gets home he studies until 10 PM, when he goes to bed. At 2 AM in the morning he wakes up again to study, before he again has to travel 2 hours to school. Form a Norwegians point of view, this is unbelievable. I highly doubt that ANY Norwegian would even consider this lifestyle. I am impressed that they are able to cope with the huge amount of work that’s required of them. Even though they know that if they finish university there is still a great chance that they will not get the job they want, or something related to their education, they still work day and night to achieve in school.
Uganda may not be as economically rich as Norway. They do not grow up knowing that the government has got their back all the way up to the end of upper secondary, like we do. But they have values. Honestly I think that Uganda is far wealthier when it comes to human values like friendship, social interaction, nature, and psychological stamina.
(Norwegian students reflecting on differences between Norway and Uganda)

Fk-experiences 2009

2011-11-16T13:18:00.001+01:00

After a one year’s experience of teaching and working with the Electrical and Construction teachers at Rjukan videregående skole now two years ago, I am happy to report that the skills I acquired have not only benefited me as an individual but also the institution (Kings College Budo) where I work as a teacher.

My experience when I worked with Tore (Waskaas) the Electronics teacher at Rjukan Vgs through guiding students’ project work has helped me start and supervise a student based practical club called The Innovator’s Club which I started last year in the school where I teach.

Fk-participant 2011:

2011-11-16T13:10:00.002+01:00

It has caused the school community (teachers, and students) to reflect on the methods of teaching and learning. Participating teachers are exploring ways of improving the learning process of students, by employing student- centred approaches like group work.
It has improved the international profiles of the schools. All schools have gained international recognition as a result of participating in the exchange program. We could go and on about the benefits of these school links, but the bottom-line is any school worth its salt, should embrace these school links as the only way of being compliant with the new global trends in the new flat world we live in.
Picture: Staff in Mengo Senior School, October 2011

Nye erfaringer

2011-11-13T10:36:00.001+01:00

Noe jeg merket med en gang jeg kom til Uganda, var hvor sosiale og inkluderende de var, sammenlignet med oss nordmenn. Første dagen på skolen ble vi nærest overveldet av elever som ville bli bedre kjent med oss, og ønsket å vite mer om Norge eller om hvordan vi likte Uganda. I motsetning til Norge, ble en sosial enten man ville det eller ikke. En kunne ikke sitte mer enn et par minutter alene før det kom noen for å hilse på deg og spørre deg hvordan du hadde det.
En god sammenligning for å vise dette kan være en vanlig norsk buss. Vi nordmenn pleier vanligvis spre oss utover bussen i hvert vårt hjørne, uten spor av interesse for sosial kontakt med andre. I Uganda ville det vært helt omvendt. På tross av at ingen kjente hverandre, ville alle allikevel satt seg sammen, og blitt kjent med hverandre. Jeg mener at vi nordmenn kunne lært en ting eller to av Uganda, og kanskje bli litt mer sosiale og imøtekommende mot fremmede.

Exchange students reporting home

2011-11-13T10:23:00.002+01:00

Friendship North/South

2011-11-13T09:44:00.000+01:00

Mariann, Helene og Henriette måtte bo på et hostell, kalt Narac, sammen med en del andre jenter som gikk på MENGO senior school. De forteller at de var veldig nervøse den første natta, og ble ikke akkurat i bedre humør av synet av rommet de skulle bo i: Det hadde så vidt plass til to køyesenger, ett nattbord og to garderobeskap. Steingulvet var ganske kaldt, og det samme gjaldt gulvet på det felles baderommet alle på hostellet delte. Likevel ble hele inntrykket snudd opp ned da tre jenter banket på døra og ønsket dem velkommen med tre søte kjærligheter. Det viste seg at alle sammen hadde vært utrolig spente før de kom. De hadde redd opp sengene sine og lurt på hvordan jentene fra Rjukan så ut. Alle var like åpne og snille mot dem, og de fikk raskt mange nye venner.

”Den siste natta hadde vi en skikkelig jentekveld der vi oppdaget at vi ikke er så ulike jentene i Uganda likevel. For hovedtemaet for sladderen den kvelden var like gøyalt som universalt: Gutter!” sier Henriette, Mariann og Helene med lure smil om munnen. Henriette

Reisebrev hjem

2011-11-12T10:21:00.009+01:00

EXHIBITION IN RJUKAN TOWN HALL

2011-11-07T14:04:00.001+01:00

Friendship Telemark Uganda Exhibition Rjukan Town Hall

Enjoying Uganda

2011-11-06T19:09:00.000+01:00

Fk experiences 2011

2011-11-06T19:08:00.000+01:00

INFORMATION DAY IN RJUKAN

2011-11-06T19:05:00.000+01:00

Preparing 200 samosas for lunch and supper

Students presenting their experiences

Even though you are poor - poverty and dignity

2011-11-05T11:22:00.005+01:00

Students from Mengo and Rjukan: One-minute-photostory:

Even though you are poor...

Poverty and Human Dignity

2011-11-05T11:18:00.001+01:00

Students from Mengo and Rjukan: One-minute-photostory

Empowering girls

2011-11-05T11:11:00.001+01:00

Fk-participant Randi's project Gender equality and girls empowerment through peer-mentoring in vocational education

2011-11-03T20:08:00.000+01:00

Arbeidsplasser er mangelvare i Uganda. Skolene prøver derfor å oppfordre elevene til å tenke nytt og være åpne for å skape sin egen arbeidsplass. Jane Nansubuga er lærer i kunst- og håndverksfag. Hun var også utvekslingslærer på Lunde og Rjukan videregående skoler. Kunst- og håndverksfag er et veldig populært fag, men det finnes ikke mange arbeidsplasser. Jane har det siste skoleåret jobbet med en stor gruppe elever som har produsert klær, smykker og andre håndverksprodukter. I begynnelsen av oktober rigget de opp sin salgsstand på UMA, som er en stor internasjonal salgsmesse. De norske elevene som besøkte messa i begynnelsen av oktober, kommenterte at dette kan minne om Dyrsku’n, men den er langt større. Metoden Jane Nansubuga bygger på har hun hentet fra Ungt entreprenørskap ungdomsbedriftkonsept, men siden elevene skulle produsere og selge mye varer har de tatt et relativt stort lån for å finansiere innkjøp av råvarer og produksjon. Jane måtte bruke litt tid på å overbevise rektor på at de skulle satse.

Vi har i ettertid fått vite at president Museveni kjøpte vesker til sine døtre. Han ville også gi Mengo gratis plass neste år

De norske utvekslingselevene besøkte markedet første salgsdag og fikk med seg fine presanger hjem. Dagen etter kom den bugandiske statsministeren på besøk. Han sa at det er første gang en skole stiller opp på dette internasjonale markedet. Han var imponert både over kreativiteten og pågangsmotet. Lørdag 8.oktober fikk elevene og Jane Nansubuga enda mer celebert besøk. Da ville også president Museveni høre om bakgrunnen for prosjektet og støtte dem med varekjøp. Hva han kjøpte er litt mer usikkert.

Jane Nansubuga forteller at mange av elevene har fått nye ideer i forhold til framtidige yrkesplaner. Uganda har en ung befolkning og det er kamp om skoleplasser og arbeidsplasser. Det er derfor viktig å være åpen for nye muligheter og ikke minst være i stand til å skape sin egen arbeidsplass.

Innovasjon - Fk-deltaker vil lære sine elever å bli innovatører

2011-11-03T19:59:00.000+01:00

After a one year’s experience of teaching and working with the Electrical and Construction teachers at Rjukan Videregående skole now two years ago, iam happy to report that the skills I acquired have not only benefited me as an individual but also the institution (Kings College Budo) where I work as a teacher.
One month after my return from Norway I coordinated and successfully organized a workshop for science teachers and Laboratory technicians for schools in my county to teach them how to
- prepare teaching aids from low cost materials in their environment
-repair, maintain and care for laboratory equipment.
My experience when I worked with Tore the Electronics teacher at Rjukan Vgs through guiding students’ project work has helped me start and supervise a student based practical club called The Innovator’s Club which I started last year in the school where I teach.

The club enables students to translate class knowledge into tangible products for the purpose of generating income.

This is in line with FK’s objective of transfer of knowledge from individual to institutional learning. One of the Club’s products is an Autolighter – a device that automatically switches on security lights when darkness falls and off when it is day light.

Geoffrey Kizito, Fk-er 2008-2009

Praksisopplæring – prosjekt “Hands on” på St. Joseph Technical Institute

2011-11-03T19:50:00.000+01:00

Daniel Kasozi er lærer på snekkeravdelingen på St.Joseph Technical Instute som ligger nær Entebbe. Skoleåret 2009-2010 var han fredskorpser og utvekslingslærer ved Rjukan videregående skole. Han jobbet sammen med Aavald Kaasa og de andre lærerne på byggfag hele skoleåret. Han sier at det han lærte aller mest av, var å se hvordan norsk yrkesopplæring er knytta til lokale bedrifter. Elevene hadde praksis og lærerne fulgte dem opp. Før han reiste hjem laget han et forslag til sin rektor, David Iga, om hvordan et lignende system kunne prøves ut på deres skole. I løpet av de to siste skoleåra har hele 150 elever fra St.Joseph fått praksisopplæring i lokale bedrifter og på byggeplasser. Fordi det teoretiske pensumet og eksamenspresset er stort, bruker mange elever også ferien på praksisplassen. Likevel er de strålende fornøyde med ordningen og håper dette kan gi dem mulighet til å komme i arbeid etter endt utdanning. Daniel Kasozis store drøm er at det kan innføres en lærlingeordning i Uganda. Han har tro på et deres gode eksempel kan påvirke utdanningssystemet.

Daniel Kasozis siste prosjekt er møbelproduksjon. Nå satser elevene på St.Joseph på at dette skal bli en vellykket elevbedrift.

Geografiekskursjon ala safari

2011-11-03T19:33:00.003+01:00

Vår kontaktlærer på Mengo tok oss med på geografiekskursjon til Vest-Uganda. Dette er en tur som som tilbys geografielevene på Mengo, men de må betale selv, akkurat som vi måtte. For oss var nok safari en riktigere betegnelse, selv om vi besøkte landsbyer og kraftverk.
Slik opplevde en elev deler av turen:
Den ene helgen skulle vi på safari i Queen Elizabeth National Park. Det betydde at vi måtte begi oss ut på en åtte timers lang busstur. På vei til det stedet vi skulle overnatte kjørte vi på en kombinert gjørme- og grusvei. Plutselig roper Ingrid: Løve! Og vi fikk bussjåføren til å stoppe og rygge tilbake. Og der, bare 20 meter fra veien kunne vi se et kattedyr som snek seg innpå en liten flokk med antiloper. Vi fant ut det var en leopard. Den løftet opp hodet sitt og la merke til at v.i var i nærheten, men fortsatte bare på ferden sin.

FotoHenriette Andersen

Vi, elevene som var på bussen syntes at dette var veldig spennende og prøvde å ta mange bilder. Men så bestemte lærerne seg for at vi ikke hadde tid til å stå og vente på et mulig angrep, så de ba sjåføren om å kjøre videre. Vi var selvfølgelig skuffet, men vi så samtidig fram til å se mange flotte dyr på selve safarien dagen etter. Vi så dessverre ingen løver som vi håpet på, men vi så mange antiloper, bøfler, elefanter, flodhester, diverse fugler, en krokodille og noen villsvin. Så man kan vel si at Safarien var vellykket.

Vi lærte at elefanter har større rettigheter enn en norsk fotgjenger. Biler, busser og mennesker har alltid stoppeplikt for kryssende elefanter

Noe å lære av ugandere

2011-11-03T19:15:00.002+01:00

En god sammenligning for å vise dette kan være en vanlig norsk buss. Vi nordmenn pleier vanligvis å spre oss utover bussen i hvert vårt hjørne, uten spor av interesse for sosial kontakt med andre. I Uganda ville det vært helt omvendt. På tross av at ingen kjente hverandre, ville alle allikevel satt seg sammen, og blitt kjent med hverandre.

Jeg mener at vi nordmenn kunne lært en ting eller to av Uganda, og kanskje bli litt mer sosiale og imøtekommende mot fremmede.
Utvekslingselev Rjukan vgs 2011

Bringing Fk-participants together

2011-10-13T08:47:00.000+02:00

All Fk-participants 2005-2011 had a meeting in Kisubi last night together with Head teachers of Mengo Senior School, Kings College Budo, St. Joseph Technical Institute and the Ugandan and Norwegian coordinators

President Museveni impressed by former Fk-participant

2011-10-11T16:52:00.001+02:00

Todays NEW VISION tells about President Musevenis visit at the Mengo SS stall in 19th Uganda International Fair Trade in Lugogo. The president says he's impressed by the school's products which are made by the students. The teacher organising this entrepreneurship club is Jane Nansubuga, Fk-participant in Telemark 2006-2007.She is implementing things she learned during her stay in Norway in her school.

Enjoying food and sharing ideas

2011-10-11T13:48:00.009+02:00

Preparing the Farewell Lunch

Lunch is ready!

Frienship NORTH ♥ SOUTH

2011-10-07T16:03:00.002+02:00

Dignity stories in the UN-club

2011-10-07T15:55:00.000+02:00

Sharing dignity stories in groups

Working on photostories

2011-10-06T21:30:00.000+02:00

Ugandan and Norwegian students preparing their dignity-photostoty together with coordinator Kalema-Golooba Ayub

Talk show on Human dignity and poverty

2011-10-05T21:46:00.000+02:00

Mengo SS in Uganda International Trade Fair, Lugogo, Kampala.

2011-10-05T20:19:00.000+02:00

Mengo Senior school with innovative products in Uganda International Trade Fair, Lugogo, Kampala.

Visiting Kings College Budo

2011-10-04T07:24:00.002+02:00

Adressing "General paper-lesson" together with Ugandan exchange teachers

Innovators Club and former Fk-participant Geoffrey Kizitopresenting new solutions about automatic light switching

Head Teacher Patrick Bakka Male adressing his school

Thea with Head Teacher Patrick Bakka Male and Fk-exchange teachers

The study tour of Western Uganda

2011-10-03T11:33:00.001+02:00

Friendship North/South Uganda Equator

Wild animals

Visit in the Poweplant in Bugoye; Trøderenergi

Henriette with children from Rwenzoris

The Girls Education week 2011 FAWE Uganda

2011-09-29T08:53:00.001+02:00

Todays dinner; FAWEUs Higher Education Fundraising Dinner together with Board Member, Mr. Edward Kasimaggwa; Ministry of Education and sports

Coordinator FAWEU Mrs. Martha Muhwezi, filmmaker Linn Obrestad and Mr. Edward Kasimaggwa; Ministry of Education and sports

Lessons in Mengo

2011-09-28T17:00:00.000+02:00

Former Fk-participants from St.Joseph Technical Institute

2011-09-27T10:23:00.000+02:00

Meeting former Fk-participants inSt.Joseph Technical Institute to discuss indivual and institutional learning

Adressing the Mengo Assembly

2011-09-27T10:03:00.001+02:00

Norwegian students adressing Mengo School Assembly O- and A-level 3500 students

Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda

2011-09-27T09:32:00.001+02:00

Mariann, Helene, Henriette, Tord, teacher Hanne, Vetle, Teacher Kalema Golooba and Teacher Tom arriving in Entebbe Sunday morning September 25th

Destination Uganda for six students from Rjukan

2011-09-24T11:18:00.001+02:00

Homecoming seminar for the 2010/11-participants

2011-09-24T11:16:00.000+02:00

Exchange teacher Randi receiving her certificate from Deputy Director General Grete Thingelstad

Adressing the Mengo Assembly

2011-09-24T11:04:00.009+02:00

Norwegian students adressing Mengo School Assembly O- and A-level 3500 students

Jeg vil lære treskjæring og trearbeid

2011-06-27T18:08:00.002+02:00

Fredskorpsdeltaker Edward Kajumba største mål var å komme hjem til Uganda med kunnskap han ville få bruk for. Han syntes treskjæringskurs var mer nyttig enn norskkurs. Når vi nå ser resultatene, kan det hende han har rett. Edward reiser hjem med kunnskap og praksis i både treskjæring og trearbeid.

Fredskorpsdeltaker Edward Kajumba har tilegnet seg mye innen treskjærerfaget. I Uganda vil han fortsette med treskjæring i norsk stil.

Edwards paviljong er produsert av ham på Rjukan videregående skole. Den har nå fått plass i Sansehagen ved Eldres Hus i Rjukan.

Girls in St. Joseph Technical Institute

2011-06-25T23:24:00.000+02:00

22 months with Fk: Linn at the homecoming seminar

2011-06-25T16:12:00.001+02:00

Linn started as Fk-participant in September 2009. Last week she attended the homecoming seminar

North-South friendship at its best….

2011-06-03T09:56:00.003+02:00

There is nothing as heart warming as seeing people from different parts of the world, converge in one place, eating and playing together just like brothers and sisters in one big family! That is what North-south friendship exchange programs have done here in

Norway

, they have brought people closer and together more than ever before!

On the beautiful evening of 2^nd June, 2011, young people from Tanzania, Kenya, and Guatemala under the program called SPOR, which is an exchange program for young people in Norway, met with their colleagues from Uganda under another exchange program called FK, in a small village on a hill called Buverud, Telemark County in Norway. They played and ate together with their Norwegian coordinators just like one big family! They were hosted by a lovely Norwegian man called Erik Bugge, who treated them to a wonderful meal, cake, coffee/tea just like his own children!

The North-south Friendship is a pattern ship between the different counties in Norway and some developing countries around the world. This pattern ship has changed people’s lives across the globe. If other countries in the western world could borrow a leaf from what

Norway

has done, then the world will be a better place for all of us to live in.

The youngest and the oldest SPOR-supporter?

Bringing people together from; Uganda, Tanzania, Norway, Kenya, Peru; North-South friendship at its best….

Text: Bernard Butare Buteera FK participant 2010/2011 Photos: Ingrid Kjelsnes

Edwards svennestykke

2011-05-31T16:23:00.000+02:00

Edward Kajumbahas been working hard on this pavilion for many months. This is his practical exam in carpentry. Now the pavilion will be moved toto the Garden at the House of Elders in Rjukan

Edward Kajumba har brukt deler av skoleåret på å bygge denne paviljongen. Nå er den klar for flytting til sin plass i sansehagen på Eldres Hus i Rjukan.

Kristiansand-the magnifecent coastal city….

2011-05-31T16:03:00.000+02:00

My trip last week, to this beautiful Norwegian coastal city started on rather a bad note, I missed the train after waiting for it for three hours! Would you believe it! I know you can’t, I couldn’t believe it either! Well what happened was just a mix up for a first time traveller on these fast moving trains!
So having missed the train, but determined to visit this beautiful city, I had to think fast for plan B, which was to brave the long five hour journey on the bus. After a long trail that took me through beautiful high and low lands of Norway, I was finally in this coastal city at about 11pm local time. Like is the case in most areas of Norway, Kristiansand is a beautiful quiet city sitting at the banks of the sea. The night was chilly but with still some light, again like is the case in spring and summer time here in Norway; days are longer than nights, so day light can still be seen even at 11pm!
Well I was warmly welcomed by my two hostesses and fellow FK participants who are based in this city, Annet Najjemba from Uganda and Patience Nyange from Kenya. They ushered me into their two roomed flat, took a warm bath, a cup of tea, then headed to my room for the much needed rest.

The following morning, my first tour of the place started with Gimlekollen School of journalism and communication, which was one of my major objectives of the visit. At the school I was warmly welcomed by a lovely lady, Pamela Melhus, the Director of Administration, who took me through the genesis of the school and the wonderful work they were doing around the world. A tour around the school proved that this was a first world class school, the state of the art studios just for the students’ practice can not be found even in the major media houses in some developing countries!

Later in the day I was treated to a sumptuous lunch, had a brief talk with the staff, and a guided tour to different lecture rooms and witnessed first hand, students reading news live in one of the studios. From the school we headed to the beach! Which is virtually in the heart of the city. From the beach we wound up the day at an entertainment park, a huge facility sitting on about 10 acres of land! It is at this entertainment park that I came across, the present day Noah’s Ark! An ultra modern hotel built in the shape of a ship. If you read about the ark only in the bible, come to Kristiansand you will see it first hand!

The second day of the visit took me to NRK- Kristiansand regional office. NRK is the Norwegian broadcasting corporation, comprising of both the National Radio and Television stations. At this facility I had a guided tour of both the radio and television stations, as expected they have real state of the- art machines, expected of a developed country. From NRK I took a tour around the city, and like most cities and towns in Norway, it’s very clean.

Having seen enough of Kristiansand, it was time to pack my bags and head back to my mountainous town of Rjukan. This time round I was determined not miss the train come what may! The ride on the train was so fascinating, but that will be a story for another day.

Bernard Butare Buteera
FK participant 2011

Girl Power in St.Joseph Technical Institute

2011-05-27T16:45:00.006+02:00

Randi og jentene på St. Joseph i Fredskorpsets årsrapport 2010

Fk: Two well educated Ugandans challenge attitudes in a small Norwegian community

2011-05-27T16:43:00.003+02:00

Fk annual report 2010

2011-05-27T16:41:00.001+02:00

Fredskorpset: En unik modell for internasjonal utveksling - Fredskorpsets årsrapport for 2010

The struggle for the Liberation of women is still on….

2011-05-23T19:47:00.001+02:00

The struggle for the liberation of women has been on going for a long time and still continues. This struggle is at many fronts; political, economic, social and in all other aspects of life. This was revealed at a women’s conference held recently in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, in the parliamentary chambers.
The conference drew participants from different parts of the world, including Uganda. The Ugandan delegation was headed by the private secretary to the president, Princess Pauline. M. Kiyimba, and included Florah Kabibi, Head of department, women affairs in the president’s office, Ms. Margret Ssejemba and Mrs. Joan Sitenda, a social entrepreneur and woman activist.

The conference under the theme ‘Small is Great’ was geared at empowering especially African women and in particular Ugandan women economically.

While addressing participants, the chief guest, Ms Villa Kulid, Director General in Norad, emphasised that economic empowerment of women is very crucial, because it leads to social and political empowerment. She added that her organisation Norad will continue to support social and economic empowerment of women around the world.
Other people who addressed the conference included, Mette K.Ofstad of Women’s network at the Labour party, Telemark, Gro Trom from EMPO and Jenfrid Stelberg of Chime.

The chief organiser of the conference was the Norwegian woman activist Bitten Schei, of Mother Courage organisation. The chief hostess of the conference was Hilde Magnusson, Norwegian woman member of parliament.
All speakers highlighted the major challenges in the liberation of women, being corruption especially in African countries and gender imbalance, where men are still domineering in many societies around the world. They called upon women to embrace education for the girl child as it is the sure way of achieving real and effective emancipation of women!
By Bernard Butare Buteera FK participant 2010/2011.

Small is great; seminar in the Norwegian Parliament

2011-05-20T09:57:00.001+02:00

Norwegian MP Hilde Magnusson in the seminar "Small is Great!" to highlight the importance of small scale business in the economical emancipation of African women.

Fk-participants Kajumba Edward and Buteera Bernard Butare in front of the Norwegian Parliament

Bernard Butaare Butera adressing the seminar and the Ugandan guests

Ugandan guests, Pauline M. Kiyimba and Florah Kabibi together with our Fk.participants

Celebrating Norwegian Constitutional Day, 17th of May

2011-05-20T09:44:00.000+02:00

Miland Village; Fk-participants Kajumba Edward, Buteera Bernard Butare and Inger Margrethe from Rjukan videregående skole

Speaker of the day Tom Nilsen in front of the parade

Graduaters on their "Russe"celebration

The home coming seminar-a mixture of happiness and sadness!

2011-05-15T16:47:00.000+02:00

Some months ago, a number of FK participants converged at Hotel Hadeland in Gran for a three weeks preparatory course, to prepare them on how to live and work abroad. It was all excitement especially from the south participants (the participants from Africa and Latin America) who were coming to Europe for the first time!

The period these participants spend in Norway ranges between 12 to 18 months, and as you read this, some of the participants their time is up! It’s time to pack their bags and head back to their home countries.
So as was the case with the preparatory course, even at the end of the exchange another course is held called the home coming seminar! This course is geared at helping participants to prepare for the likely challenges when they get back to their home countries.

This year’s home coming seminar was held from 12th to 13th May, 2011 at P-Hotel in Oslo. Unlike the preparatory course which was all excitement for the participants, the home coming seminar was a mixture of happiness and sadness. Participants were happy about going back home but at the same time sad that they were leaving their new found home! To some participants they were even sadder in the sense that this could be the last time they ever set their feet in Europe!
The seminar opened with participants sharing their experiences during their stay in Norway, and as expected they really had interesting experiences. They also shared the challenges they had a encountered, but most of the participants highlighted the winter season as their greatest challenge.
While addressing participants at the closure of the course, the Deputy Director of FK Mrs. Grete Thingelstad urged participants to be good ambassadors of FK back home in their countries and to transfer knowledge and skills they have acquired during their stay in Norway, which is one of the major objectives of the exchange program. Most of the participants will be leaving at the end of June, as new participants jet in and in some programs, this was the last round of exchange, as they look for another project in the future.
By Bernard Butare, FK Participant 2010-2011

Vocational Education new studies in St. Joseph

2011-03-20T13:54:00.013+01:00

Lærerne, Margareth, Randi og Grace er klare til å jobbe med jentene i programmet "Facilitate and monitor for peer-mentoring to empower female vocational students at St. Joseph Technical Institute

Fk-deltaker Randi Mossing har laga denne fotohistorien om promoteringa av de nye linjene på St. Joseph Techinal Institute, Knitting, Fashionwear and tailoring, business and administration. Første termin i det nye skoleåret er nå godt i gang, og elevene har starta på de nye utdanningene. Rektor David Iga forteller at læreplanen i et fag som "tailoring" dessverre er både britisk og forelda, elevene må kunne sy dresser og skoleuniformer for å bestå. Undervisning i tradisjonell East-African sewing foregår om ettermiddagen, slik at elevene får den kunnskapen de trenger for å skape sin egen arbeidsplass. Heldigvis jobbes det også med læreplanrevisjon, men det kan vi ikke vente på!

Leaving Uganda

2011-03-20T11:04:00.001+01:00

Visiting students working in Kisubi together with the Head Teacher Iga David

Fk-board meeting before departure

Visit to a local factory, Imperial Paints

2011-03-18T20:06:00.000+01:00

Owner Frans Denis Guweddeko, Tom Nilsen and Dorothy Kiggungu

Innflyttingsfest hos John

2011-03-18T10:09:00.001+01:00

Endelig er John (Fk-er 2007-08) tildelt lærerbolig. Vi fikk lov å være med å feire sammen med ham og Grace, broren William og søstera Sissy

Ingrid, Grace og Linn

En profesjonell grillkokk fra St.Joseph sammen med John og Tom

Grace, Randi og Sissy

Ministry of Education and Sports

2011-03-17T15:30:00.001+01:00

Ministry of educations and sports: Meeting with Commissioner Ilahi Mansoor; presenting the "hands on project": Strengthening quality in vocational education.

Friendship agreement signed in Mengo

2011-03-16T15:10:00.002+01:00

Head Teacher Semivule George William signing the friendship agreement betweeen Rjukan vgs and Mengo SS

Good bye to Mengo!

Working on the friendship agreement with Mengo SS

2011-03-14T10:36:00.003+01:00

Kalema Golooba Auyb, Ingrid Kjelsnes, Kajubi Mark, Lucy Banda

After weeks of sunshine we finally have rain

Vi kan bekrefte at "the wet season" er her. Håper fortsatt på et par soldager

Valg i Uganda: KAMPALA velger ordfører i dag

2011-03-14T08:43:00.002+01:00

I dag er den aller siste valgdagen i Uganda. Innbyggerne i Kampala velger sin ordfører direkte. Vi er i Kampala, men vi holder oss "hjemme" her på Namirembe Guest House sammen med lærere fra Mengo. Vi konsentrerer oss om søknaden til Vennskap Nord Sør og vennskapskontrakten som underskrives i morgen. Dagen er erklært "public holiday". Mange spår at det kan bli noe uroligheter. Opposisjonen vil markere at de evt taper dette siste og viktige valget. Museveni ønsker NRMs kandidat, pastor Peter Ssematimba, som ordfører. Kanskje kan det dempe motsetningene som har vært mellom det bugandiske Kampala og presidenten. Alle vi har snakka med vil stemme tidlig og evt reise ut av byen eller tilbringe resten av dagen hjemme. Vi håper på et demokratisk og rolig valg!

Namirembe i dag: "Polling stations" åpnet ved soloppgang 7AM

Elever og lærere på Mengo har fri i dag. Det er "public holiday".

The six mayoral candidates are
Pastor Peter Ssematimba (NRM), Erias Lukwago (independent), Edward Babu (independent), Michael Mabikke (SDP), Emmanuel Tumusiime (Forum for Integrity in Leadership) and the lone woman contender, Sandra Ngabo, an independent.

Kasese og Kilembe

2011-03-13T21:10:00.002+01:00

Vi var så heldige å være i Kasese sammen med Henry Kabiri som har sin familie og bolig i Kasese. Han tok oss til Kilimbe ved foten av Rwensori. Landsbyen Kilembe er bygd opp rundt Kilembe Coppers Mines, som nå er nedlagt. Rett ovenfor Kilembe village kan man starte ekspedisjoner langt opp i fjella. Her bor mange tusen mennesker som ofte tar turen til Kilembe eller Kasese for å selge sine jordbruksprodukt. Poteter, gulrot, matoke og andre grønnsaker trives godt høyt oppe i Rwensori.

Kvinner fra Rwensori på vei til lørdagsmarkedet

View to Rwensori Mountain from Kilembe

Not easy to say goodbye to Henry and his children after these days!

Katwe

2011-03-13T14:51:00.005+01:00

I løpet av 2-3 hektiske dager har vi sett mye i Katwe og Kasese. Vi ønsket å ta denne turen for å møte mennesker som er engasjert i vennskapsarbeid og fredskorpsere vi har samarbeidet med de siste åra.
I løpet av 28 timer ble 4 skolebesøk, 4 besøk i "Fk-hjem" inkludert Surprice-party hjemme hos Patrick, Kongo-tur og fotballturnering sammen med Lake Katwe SS. Vi fikk også sett på viktige næringer i Katwe, saltproduksjon, fiske og fiskehandel.

Dagens saltfangst skal leveres

Henry forhandler om fiskepris på dagens største "lungfish". Det ble ingen handel. John og William kunne ikke spise denne fisken, fordi deres klan bærer fiskens navn. Den skal ha heksekraft siden den skal puste med lunger.

Garnbøting på stranda. 5 meter unna lå flodhestene og overvåka det hele

Over grensa til Kongo

2011-03-13T14:20:00.002+01:00

Vi tok en harrytur til Kongo på fredag. Henry Kabiri påstår at vi er de eneste norske som har fått lov å krysse grensa med bil uten å være innom "immigrartion office". Vi kan takke regnværet og Henrys forhandlingsevner for det. Vi hadde med en ugandisk grensevakt for sikkerhets skyld!

Både Tom, John, William og Ingrid var fornøyde etter turen

noen handla nok litt mer enn oss...

Lake Katwe Technical Institute

2011-03-12T17:09:00.002+01:00

Talking with the Deputy Head teacher Lake Katwe Technical Institute

Re - Katwe

2011-03-12T16:54:00.005+01:00

During our stay in Katwe we met Fk-ers, former Fk-ers and members of the Friendship North South

Fk-er's Mari Edland Bergan, Henry Kabiri, John Wasswa, Mads

Madsen, Ingrid Flottorp, Øystein Larsen together in Katwe Re Children's Home

Surprice party for the wife of Patrick Mugisa

Henry, John, Nuriat Adams og Norman

Angella Muhindo in her class room

Visit to Lake Katwe Secondary School

2011-03-12T16:39:00.003+01:00

Visiting Lake Katwe Secondary School.

Henry Kabiri (Fk-er 2008-09) to the right

Mitandi in the Mountains of the moon

2011-03-10T06:22:00.002+01:00

8.mars i Uganda

2011-03-10T05:58:00.000+01:00

Vi feira 8.mars på Budo, der det først var foredrag, deretter ballspill, jentene utfordra gutta.

Monday: Assembly in Kings College Budo

2011-03-07T21:03:00.003+01:00

The Headmaster speaking to his 1500 students

Global exchanges: Fk-coordinator and exchange students from

Brooks School Massachusetts adressing the assembly

Head prefect together with teachers

Spending some days in Budo

2011-03-07T20:49:00.003+01:00

Søndag dro vi fra kurset til Vennskap Nord Sør til Budo. Vi skal prøve å bo i Fk-huset.

Det er nymala og fint. Mandag fikk vi vann, dessverre var dusjen lekk så vi er tilbake til vannkanner.

Fk-deltaker (08-09) Geoffrey Kizito med datteren Annabel

Familien Kasamba, Assumpta og Godfrey underviser begge på Budo.

Godfrey var en av Fk-deltakerne i 2005-06

Last day in the course in Kampala

2011-03-06T07:03:00.003+01:00

Muhindo Angella from Katwe leading us in a song

Participants from Norway and Uganda in Tal Cottage

Josephine and Moses are now on their way back to Amuria

Friendship North South course Kampala, Uganda

2011-03-04T17:27:00.004+01:00

The course for schools and community groups in Kampala

The Katwe - Re team, Bright, Dag Frode, Mari and Angello

Angello and Randi presenting the

" Poverty and responsible parenting in community in Uganda and Norway"

Lucy Banda from Mengo Senior School

Reunion ELIMU delegation 2010

2011-03-03T20:05:00.006+01:00

Dennis David, Ms Bua, Cathy, Kerryn, Elvis, Allan,Linda, Ingrid Mr Golooba Kalema and Tom met at Popo (Pope Paul VI Memorial hotel), Kampala for dinner and reunion

Allan graduated in December, but he was able to join the ELIMU-team

Suggestion; Weshould meet at least every year

Mengo on a Thursday

2011-03-03T14:32:00.001+01:00

Thursday dress code: We dress cooperative

..and it's time for the weekly staff meeting:

Today they watch the ELIMU-film, communication from Norway and administration

Former Fk-er 08-09 from Budo is teaching technical drawing in Mengo every Thursday

Bedre yrkesutdanning gjennom opplæring i bedrift

2011-03-02T16:59:00.003+01:00

Fredskorpserne Charles Kalema, John Wasswa og Daniel Kasozi kom tilbake fra Norge med ideen om at mer praksis og praksis i bedrift vil gi yrkesfagelever i Uganda bedre opplæring. De har sammen med kolleger på St. joseph Technical Institute, norske Fk-deltakere og partnere arbeidet for å omsette dette i praksis. Til tross for at de møter mange hindringer, har de ikke tenkt å gi seg. I dag fikk vi være med dem ut på en byggeplass der 14 av skolens elever er i praksis.

St. Joseph elev Brenda Nalumwembe og en mannlig medelev pusset denne muren da vi var på besøk

Liaison officer/lærer Bukenya Godfrey, arbeidsleder/bedrifteier Ssewziyivu Deogratial og initiatitaker /lærer /public relations officer Kasozi Daniel møtes på byggeplassen

HMS-krava svarer ikke helt til norsk standard

Husa elevene er med på å bygge gir dem god arbeidserfaring, men det er nok hverken lærere eller elever som skal bo her. Her er det høy standard.

Strengthening vocational education through industrial training meeting

2011-03-02T09:07:00.004+01:00

Today we are in a meeting together with the committee of ”Strengthening vocational education through industrial training meeting” in St. Joseph Technical Institute, Kisubi.

Head Teacher Iga David, Fk-participant (07-08) Kalema Charles, secretary / teacher Mulama Margareth, teaher of brik laying cBukenya Charles

Tom Nilsen, Rjukan / Fk, public relation officer / Fk-participant (09-10) Daniel Kasozi and Liaison officer Bukenya Godfrey leading us throgh the committee meeting this morning

Ms Nassolo Grace, teacher in Electrical Department, together with her students this morning

Visit to SOS Children Village

2011-03-01T18:32:00.001+01:00

SOS-mothers with their youngest babies

Mengo Monday 28th

2011-02-28T18:00:00.001+01:00

Today Mengo students and teachers planned for the ELIMU exchanges 2011-2013

Participating in The orientation programme of S5

“Mr. Ssesanga Paul talking about "Goal setting” and Mrs. Kjelsnes adressing the 500 students of S5 of the ELIMU-exchange programme 2011-2013

Eating FISH in Gaba Beach

2011-02-28T07:51:00.001+01:00

The big talapias served deep fried: Delicious!

Gaba beach, Murchison Bay, Kampala

Vi skal hjem: Det er blitt mørkt, vi har en bil og er sju personer.

Bringing families together

2011-02-28T07:40:00.002+01:00

Family Kasamba; Godfrey Kasama Fk-participant 2005-06

Family Kalema; Ayub Kalema Golooba, ELIMU-coordinator in Mengo SS and in Uganda

Visit to Namirembe Parents Primary School , Alice and Jason are now boarding

Since it's Sunday; Nadia, Jacinta and Nahia are visitors in their school

Sunday in Uganda

2011-02-27T10:22:00.004+01:00

Sundays in Uganda means you are busy. We started the day in St. Paul Catedral Namirembe:

listening to good music

and to our friend and copartner, Head Teacher of Kings College Budo, Mr. Patrick Bakka Male

Om vi er på Namirembe en søndag, pleier vi å delta på en gudstjeneste i St. Paul Catedral Namirembe. Det er mange gudstjenester i løpet av søndagen. Den første starter klokka sju. Vi var der ikke før på runde to, klokka halv ni. Det er mer enn tusen deltakere på hver gudstjeneste. Denne gangen var vi der sammen med tidligere Fk-deltaker Victoria Kafeiro og hennes familie. Det er mye flott musikk. I tillegg måtte vi finne oss i å bli presentert ved navn som gjester fra Rjukan, Norway, siden det var rektor på Budo som introduserte søndagens “high lights”. Det er alltid hyggelig å møte Patrick.

Meeting former Fk-participants

2011-02-26T16:44:00.001+01:00

Today we met former participants. In this picture: Mark William Kajubi, Mengo SS (Fk-participant 2009-2010) and Peter Hormisdas Ssenyimba, King's College Budo (Fk-participant 2008-2009). They are here watching Linn Obrestad's film about the ELIMU-exchange 2010

Meeting with our coordinator in Uganda

2011-02-26T07:31:00.000+01:00

Mr. Edward Kasimaggwa, Ministry of Education and Sports, our coordinator in the Fk-partnership since 2002

Edward Kasimaggwa er en travel mann. En av oppgavene hans er å reise rundt i Uganda på inspeksjon i grunnskoler og lærerutdanningsinstitusjoner. I tillegg er han vår koordinator og døråpner til andre avdelinger i departementet. Vi kan ikke komme i gang med partnerarbeidet i Fk før vi har hatt vår første møte med ham og gjennomgått avtaler. Denne gangen møtte vi ham fredag ettermiddag etter ankomst. Søndag må han avgårde til distriktene igjen på en liten ukestur, men han håper å være tilbake til onsdag. Da har vi avyalt møter på Kisubi, St. Joseph technical Institute.

Girl's Dormatory March 24th

2011-02-26T07:13:00.002+01:00

Randi, two second year students,Annett in mechanical, Fiona in plumbing and the matron of the dormatoty, Catherine, preparing for students to arrive during the week end and for Randi's and FAWE's project;

Gender equality and girls empowerment through peer-mentoring in vocational education

Matron of girl's bormatory, Catherine in her office

New Vision February 23rd

2011-02-23T08:41:00.001+01:00

Breakfast in the Boma with "local news" about the friendship and exchanges between Rjukan and Mengo

In Uganda February 2011

2011-02-23T08:37:00.005+01:00

We had a nice flight with a lot of networking; together with Esther Nybakk from HiAk / Kyambogo University. Tom was invited to Rwonda by Mudenseli Sylvete; a Rwodan in organic coffee producing.

På flyet møtte vi også Øystein Larsen og broren Bjørnar. Øystein har vært Fk-er i prosjektet Re kommune /Katwe Municipality. Han skulle besøke prosjektet Katwe-Re Children's Home som han og kona tok initiativ til da de bodde i Katwe i 2008-2009. Øystein og Bjørnar ble med for å se St. Joseph Technical Institute før de starta sin reise mot Katwe og Kasese.

Bringing Fk-participants together

2011-02-18T20:34:00.000+01:00

Fk-participants met in Telemark in Rjukan and Søve videregående skoler

Mrs Gertrude Ojera; HiAk / Kyambogo University supervising Norwegian students of nutrition in Rjukan

Back to work 2011

2011-01-21T10:41:00.001+01:00

Trond and Randi is back in Uganda. The new school year in Uganda begins in January

Bernard and Edward started teaching in Rjukan two weeks ago

Mr Edward Kajumba in the workshop "BYGGFAG" Rjukan

Winnie leaving St. Joseph’s Technical Institute

2010-12-08T22:19:00.002+01:00

Linn writes in her blog: LinniUganda:
Winnie finished her course at St. Joseph’s Technical Institute this week! I met a very proud girl, carrying her leaving certificate, when I stopped by St. Joseph’s today. Winnie has been studying carpentry and joinery, and now she and her classmates are ready to leave school for good.

Photo: Linn Obrestad

She looks forward to start working and hopes she will find a job in a furniture shop.
However, her future is still very uncertain. There are very few jobs out there- and very many young people looking for work. With a median age of 15, Uganda has the world's youngest population, and the share of unemployed youth among the total unemployed is 83 percent, also the highest in the world (according to the new Africa Development Indicators launched by The World Bank in 2008). Finding a job is not going to be easy.
She has decided to stay in town instead of going back to her village because although her prospects of finding work related to her studies are low in and around the Kampala area, they are even worse in the villages.

Photo: Linn Obrestad

Linn hopes Winnie and her fellow classmates succeed in finding jobs- Winnie herself is quite optimistic saying that even if she doesn't find something in the line of carpentry, there will always be some small jobs around for those who are able and willing to work, and with her certificate, she is better off than many others.

Teaching practical subjects to visitors from lower Secondary

2010-12-01T18:59:00.004+01:00

Rjukan videregående skole/ Upper Secondary school today:

Teachers of construction department at Rjukan High school, today imparted some practical skills to the students of lower secondary who intend to choose vocational studies next year. Among the teachers, was an Fk exchange teacher from Uganda, Mr. Kajumba Edward.

Students from S3 Rjukan and Atrå lower Secondary schools

Mengo School Anthem on Mount Gaustatoppen

2010-11-27T18:17:00.000+01:00

“The mountain top is extremely cold. I couldn’t feel my toes and finger tips. I was scared and nervous going up the mountain through a tunnel. When we sang our school anthem at the mountain top, and people applauded and clapped, I felt really happy and accepted.”

Mengo School trust in God
From whom you get wisdom
We shall overcome, let’s co-operate
Hard work does break no bone.

Challenging stereotypes on student exchanges

2010-11-27T15:27:00.003+01:00

“I thought the Norwegian students were not social. I used to think of them as proud and arrogant as I heard from various stories. I now realise that they are friendly people who share the same fears and dreams as we do” Ugandan student
“This project gave me a chance to enlighten the world about my country, my culture and beliefs. Many times, people have a wrong picture about us and this visit enabled me correct that. It also made me appreciate more my culture, and to have respect for other people’s culture” Ugandan student

A history lesson in a Norwegian class

2010-11-27T11:27:00.002+01:00

My best experience today was the History lesson with Tom, a Norwegian teacher, and Linda from S5 Mengo Senior School. It was a chance for me to explain to the Norwegian Students that there was another side to Idi Amin. He was a dictator but also did some good things for Uganda.
Before going to Norway , I had always wondered why we were studying about Napoleon, a General in a foreign land. I was struck when we went to class in Norway and they were discussing the history and presidents of Uganda. Mengo Student Dennis David Kazibwe

Emphasizing employment oriented education

2010-11-18T11:00:00.001+01:00

This term students at St. Joseph’s have been doing various work outside of school: construction work (building a house) and a biogas digester. The students have been taken out eight at the time, with two teachers. The number is limited to eight because of lack of transport means. They are picked out not based on marks but on interest and willingness to work.

The project is popular among the students, and to ensure that as many as possible is given the opportunity the group is changed every day. The teachers guide and work alongside the students. Both students and teachers are positive that this is a great learning experience, building confidence and giving the students a feeling of what it will be like in the real world after they finish school.
Former Fk-participants, Charles Kalema, John Wasswa and Daniel Kasozi together with colleagues in St.Joseph are trying to implement some of their experiences from Norway in their work on VET in Uganda.

Kyambogo University Lecturers visit Rjukan videregående skole

2010-11-15T17:07:00.001+01:00

Last week Rjukan videregående skole (High School) received unusual visitors, when it received two lecturers from Kyambogo University in Uganda. The two lecturers came on a study tour of the education system in Norway. The two, David and Gertrude spent a whole week interacting with both students and teachers, plus sitting in lessons to try to compare the system of education in Norway and that of Uganda.

When asked, Gertrude discovered that the system of education in Norway was more practical than theoretical, whereas that of Uganda was more theoretical than practical, a thing which she said, should be changed. She however noted that, unlike the students in Uganda, the students in Norway have a low level of motivation in academics. David on the other hand, who had the opportunity to work with the vocational students outside, was impressed by the quality of work the students in the construction department were doing. He said when he goes back to Uganda, he will advocate for this pedagogical kind of education.
At the end of the visit the coordinators, Ingrid Kjelsnes and Tom Nilsen urged the visitors to try and implement some of the good things they had learnt from the Norwegian system back home in Uganda.
… By Bernard Butare.

Gründercamp at Rjukan videregående skole

2010-11-15T14:21:00.001+01:00

Gratulerer Rjukan High School! By Bernard Butare

Students of Rjukan High school have continued to excel in different aspects in both academics and vocational studies. This time around they were among the finalists and actually went ahead to be among the best in a competitive exhibition that involved many schools in Telemark county.
The colourful function took place last Wednesday 11th Nov, 2010, here in the People’s community hall in Rjukan town.

The function attracted so many people especially students from different schools around Rjukan and their parents plus some other invited guests. The evening was punctuated with a lot fun, with music from talented young people and a lot of eats and drinks.
Students exhibited so many things from the latest use of technology and architectural designs.
Here at Rjukan High school, we would like to congratulate our students of 1ST who made us proud!

Rjukan community commemorates United Nations day

2010-10-26T09:56:00.002+02:00

On Sunday 24th October, 2010, was United Nations day and the Rjukan community was not left out in the celebrations. The day started with volunteers moving around the town door to door soliciting for funds to help the refugees who reside in the area. Later in the evening we converged in the town hall, where a couple of locals mixed with the numerous refugees, who were the main target of the day. Several refugees testified about the different problems they were facing in their different countries, the major problem being civil wars, which was also the main reason why they had left their respective countries. Among the refugees present were those from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Liberia and the majority from Somalia.

Illustration photo by Ingrid

The day was not all doom and gloom, some good music was played and a lot eats and drinks were served. The most important message of the day was through a song sung by a guest artist from Germany who called upon leaders in their different capacities to treat the people they lead with respect and dignity. The function ended at about nine o’clock in the night with a call on all people of good will to come out and help refugees wherever they are in the world. by Fk-participant / Teacher in Rjukan videregående skole; Bernard Butare.

Celebrating Friendship North South in Oslo

2010-10-10T20:56:00.002+02:00

Oslo, October 11th:

Friendship North South Celebration, Cosmopolite Oslo
Friendship North South / Vennskap Nord Sør

ELIMU school exchange programme

Fk exchanges gives Ugandan teachers a new lease of life….

2010-10-09T11:51:00.002+02:00

by Bernard Butare Buteera: The woes of a practising classroom teacher in Uganda are innumerable, from the poor remuneration to inadequate accommodation and deplorable working conditions, surely to define your profession as a teacher in Uganda is like writing a litany of negative titles upon oneself. However, for some teachers who are in partnership with Fredskorpset (FK), teaching has become such an enjoyable profession than any other.

Peter Hormisdas Sssenyimba and Geoffrey Kizito together with Norwegian Colleagues

The FK is an exchange programme between the Telemark inNorway and that of Uganda, which gives an opportunity to Ugandan teachers to go and teach in Norway likewise those of Norway to come and teach in Uganda.

In Uganda the Programme is in three participating schools, that is to say, Mengo Senior School, King’s College Budo and St. Joseph’s Technical Institute Kisubi. In Norway it is in upper secondary school Rjukan.

The few teachers who have had the opportunity of benefiting from this programme had all the good words for it. Mr. Kasamba Godfrey from King’s college Budo who was one of the first people to benefit from the programme in 2005 had this to say…

“I was excited when I received the news that I had been selected to go and teach in Norway. I was excited because it was going to be the first good thing to happen to me ever since I joined the teaching profession.”

Mr. Kasamba continues to say that he was exposed to new methods of teaching and received international exposure in a number of other aspects.

Another Beneficiary Wasswa John from St. Joseph’s Technical Institute, who went in the third lot in 2007, didn’t defer from Mr. Kasamba, he also praised the programme, that it gave him an opportunity to compare the two systems of Education, the one of Uganda and that of Norway. He also pointed out that the programme gave him International exposure which made him a better teacher afterwards.

Jane Nansubuga from Mengo Senior School, another beneficiary who went in the second lot in 2006, has all the praises for the exchange programme. She said that ever since she went to Norway she will never be the same again. That she learnt new methods of teaching and got so many International friends and exposure.

However all the former participants I talked to cited the weather, that is the winter season and the fact that most books they were using were in Norsik as the major challenges they faced. They thanked the sponsors for the opportunity they had and wished that more teachers could get it.

They particularly thanked the administration at Rjukan upper secondary school, especially Ms. Ingrid Kjelsenes and Tom Nilsen for being such wonderful coordinators of the programme.

Fk.exchange teachers;Kajubi Mark William and Kasozi Daniel 2009-2010

Fk preparatory course

2010-10-04T08:42:00.003+02:00

The three week long Fk preparatory course came to a close on Friday 1st October, 2010 at Hotell Hadeland.

Participants of Friendship Telemark Uganda

The course which attracted over 50 participants from different countries around the world was geared at preparing these Peace Corps, cope with living and working abroad. Among those present were participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Nepal, Ghana, Ethiopia, Norway and many others from different countries.

While addressing participants, the FK Course coordinator Mr. Nahuel Polesel urged the participants to be good ambassadors wherever they are going to work, and keep the FK flag flying higher.
During the three weeks, participants were taken through a number of issues such as Intercultural communication and how to handle personal challenges among others.
The participants on their part thanked the management of FK and all the partners involved for giving them the opportunity of living and working abroad.
The function ended with awarding certificates to the participants, and the coordinators wished them good luck wherever they going to work.

Goodbye Rjukan

2010-09-24T21:23:00.000+02:00

Mengo Senior School on Facebook: Goodbye Rjukan! The Mengo team today left Rjukan for Norway from where they will fly out back to Uganda. This concludes their visit but begins a new chapter of collaboration, sharing and mutal understanding. Mr. Komeja challenged them to share with peers and collegues in Uganda their experiences and perspectives from the visit as a means of cascading the impact of the program.