Quick Update

Classes are progressing nicely. We are still unsure exactly what knowledge the students already have. They tell us they have had introductory biology and chemistry courses, but I have had to explain transcription, translation, and electronegativity on many occasions. We are constantly reevaluating our lessons to make sure the students learn the information they need for our course and have the foundation to back it up.

Now that we have been here approaching two weeks I can say a little more about the culture. I am constantly humbled by the stories we hear daily. After nearly 50 years of war in Sudan, you can imagine that most people here have some pretty interesting stories to tell. Its not always the long stories that remind you of this, even mundane questions like "how was your day?" may be met with "any day without war is a good day." If you look around the city there are constant reminders of the post-war climate, with many soldiers and much development. These constant reminders of my own good fortune and the struggle for peace bring our mission here into focus, to support the development of this budding nation. Not with money, or commodities, but with knowledge, which seems to be more sustainable on its own. We have much work to do, but I think we are making a tangible difference for our students.