Today Kari looked into the logistics of taking care of a malnourished toddler. The sad fact is that there is a high fatality rate among highly malnourished children. When offering to care for these children you have to consider your own liability. With this in mind, the only feasible way to take care of a severely malnourished child is if a guardian stays with the child while it receives care. This is not possible unfortunately for the child they are trying to help. The family lives down bad roads – the kind of bad roads that should only be traveled by motorcycle and will tear up normal cars. The mom has a job she cannot give up and the grandmother that cares for the child cares for many people in the village and cannot be spared. The goal now is to get the child here for one day to receive an examination, to supply the family with high nutrient food for the child, and to provide parent/guardian training. This is not the ideal situation, but it is the only option right now.
Megan and I walked into town this afternoon because it is always a beautiful day here – highs around 78, lows around 67. I was a bit hungry so we stopped for a milkshake. Well, it was more like flavored milk. We hear there is a better place, The Keep, for milkshakes in town. I will try that when I take Isaac out for his celebratory milkshake (story to come). On the walk back home, we walked past a salon. Megan and I went inside to check out the prices. Eyebrow waxing 5000 shillings or $2. Manicure AND pedicure 20000 shillings or $8. One hour massage 20000 shillings or $8!! I’ve already told Ryan he will have to get a massage when he gets here.
Isaac left this morning for a series of interviews that would determine which (if any) university he would attend in the fall. In Uganda applicants rank their top 3 universities. He really wanted his first choice, Kampala International University. Isaac found out that he was competing against a girl for a chance to attend his top ranked school. Isaac instantly thought that meant he would not be accepted. The reason is because girls automatically get a free point from the government in regards to admissions decisions. Twenty-five points is the highest you can score. Isaac and his female competition both started with 18 points calculated from their high school exit exams. The girl had 19 points due to the extra point awarded by the government. The remaining points were awarded by professors based on performance in the interviews.
The process was incredibly intense. Isaac's first round of interviews consisted of professors asking him questions in front of all of his peers. They didn’t just ask fluff interview questions either. They asked complicated science questions that made it seem more like a college exit exam than a college entrance interview. There was a 20 minute break before the second round of questioning. At this time the girl he was up against was able to ask him interview questions and he was able to ask the girl interview questions in return knowing they were fighting for the same spot at their dream university.
Yesterday Megan and Isaac were talking about interviews. Megan told Isaac about a difficult interview question that everyone should be prepared to answer: “What is your greatest weakness?” Skilled interviewees know that they need to know their weakness but be able to sell it as a strength.
Isaac did not know in advance that he would have to ask someone interview questions. He had to think on his feet. When Isaac had one question left to ask the girl, the conversation with Megan popped into his head. Isaac asked the girl what her greatest weakness was. She had no response. This question completely blindsighted her. She picked up her backpack and left the room without saying a word. How awesome, yet how sad is that story?? I am elated for Isaac but so sad for that poor girl. What a horrible system. Isaac says they have been saying they will change their education system since he was 3 years old. They still haven’t done it. They say it will change in 2013 – doesn’t seem likely, does it?
The important thing here at the Segner household is that Isaac was accepted. The kids drew pictures and wrote congratulatory comments to commemorate the event. Even Pierce “drew” a picture and promptly told me “up” while pointing to where the other pictures were taped. He is a smart little mess. Isaac came home to a dark house. Kari flipped on the lights and we all yelled "congratulations" and "surprise". Pierce got in the first of many hugs all around. After dinner we had snickerdoodle cookies that Kari made. It was a great night and we are all so proud of Uncle Isaac. I am looking forward to taking Isaac out for a celebratory milkshake.
There was another wall of drawings on the opposite window. The kids were excited for him!
No comments:
Post a Comment