Wobulenzi

Wobulenzi: Planning and practicing as a group

Taking Action!

As a group, we planned and collaborated to form a plan. I did research on how to fold paper boats and cranes. However, after reading the instructions I came to the conclusion that cranes would take too long to make, so we changed it to windmills and boats instead. Then I typed out the instructions, printed them and laminated them so that the students could keep the instructions for further use if required. We then met up as a group to practice the origami and check out the prices of our supplies, however we soon learned that our budget needed to be very high in order to buy all the supplies we needed. The class 'non-uniform day' gave us only 100,000 UGX which wasn't enough a we needed 365,000 UGX. 
This lead to us planning another fundraiser, a football tournament. We got 8 teams ready, each consisting of 7 players who each paid 5,000 UGX. There was also a bake sale at the tournament which helped raise a lot of money too. In total we managed to raise 280,000 UGX, plus the 100,000 UGX from the class non-uniform day.This weekend before the trip we will visit the stores once more as a group and purchase the supplies we need as a group.

Reflecting...

Working with my group was a little challenging as we had different opinions and different ways of working, which caused us not to work well together. The planning wasn't done so well as a group and I think it could have been done better had everyone put in their ideas and made a plan as one. However, when we met to check the prices out and practice we worked very efficiently and got our work done well. The fundraiser went well, but I was stressed out when suddenly on the morning of the event half of the teams backed out and didn't want to pay. It was a great disappointment and a panic as I didn't know whether we would be able to raise enough money in time. Nevertheless, as a group we managed to convince the teams to join back again. Overall, it was a challenging event to put together and I believe had we more time we could have done a better job.

I learned that I have good leadership skills, but have a problem with dealing with people's different way of working. I have now adapted to the way they think and managed to work my way of thinking around theirs to work as a group. I look forward to the trip and working with the group in teaching the students spray painting and origami.

Meeting as a group at a cafe and learning the steps

Practicing at home

Sanyu Babies Home

Mango Roses: Visiting Sanyu Babies Home

The backstage crew of Mango Roses visited Sanyu Babies Home to take videos of 'chaos' at the home. We had to ask for permission from the head of the home before we were allowed to take pictures or videos, and she was a little reluctant about whether the footage might be abused in any way. However, I assure d her that some of the money from the tickets will go to Sanyu Babies Home and we would use the footage only for the production and nothing more. She told us a little about Sanyu Babies Home, and it was sad to hear the horrible stories of the children left out in dustbins and bushes. Then we got a tour of the home and we got to take a couple of shots. However, I found it extremely difficult to take the footage as the kids were getting overexcited and pulling at the camera and grabbing us. The lady mentioned the kids needing pneumonia vaccinations so I told Mr. Thompson and the money that comes out of Mango Roses will be able to help out the Home.

Kids gathering to sing songs

  

Mango Roses: Measurements

What did I do?

Today I went to the second rehearsal  of Mango Roses. I took the measurements of all actors/actress so that we could give them to the tailor in order to make the costumes. 

Taking action!

When I got home, I organized the measurements and gave them to Mr. Thompson (director and my supervisor). Then I arranged so I could take the crew to Sanyu Babies home during the week to take some footage for the play. I then organized the backstage crew and gave them each a job such as lighting, smoke machine, ushers, props, etc.

Let's reflect...

It was a very different experience taking measurements of so many people, as well as intimidating. I had never taken measurements for costumes and had to make sure they were good enough, and that I didn't forget anything. Shoulder to wrist, shoulder to waist, waist to ankle, shoulder to shoulder, chest. However, it was a great way to get closer to the actors, get all their names, their character names. I talked with them, got to know them and asked how they felt about the production. It was a great opportunity to meet new, extremely talented people and make friends with them.

Talking to backstage crew about measurements

Shoulder to shoulder

Shoulder to wrist (having a chat with Josiah)

Chest measurements

Mole Day

Mole Day

Every year, KISU celebrated Mole Day, which is specially dedicated to Avgadro's constant . However, this year's Mole Day was a little different as the head of the science department, Ms. Catalina, had a couple of extra activities planned out such as bake sale, kids learning about moles, etc. As an IB chemistry student, I was asked to help out with the bake sale as well as teach little Year 3s about Moles.

Bake Sale

In order to buy from the bake sale, the buyer had to pay real money to the 'banker' and get fake money back which they could use to buy the food. I think it is a really creative method of having the kids who bought think more and learn to manage money better. I baked a chocolate cake for the bake sale and helped sell food to students and teachers, including little kids. It was challenging having to get the children to understand the 'banker' theory, and teach them how to manage their money wisely. Baking the cake was simple however, since I enjoy baking :) 

It was great knowing that the money that the cake got goes to a good cause (Josephine from the interact club)

Teaching the kids

I had created a PowerPoint presentation to teach the kids about moles and what they were. It was very challenging to create the presentation, knowing that I (when I was in year 10) found moles a very difficult concept to grasp. Nevertheless, I managed to turn the boring basic facts about moles and atoms into a interesting and fun experience. I created two cartoon characters to help teach the kids: Mr.Mole and Professor Big Nose. They enjoyed it and to my surprise caught on a lot faster than I expected. Once I finished teaching them, we had some trivia questions which they participated in very well and were eager to answer the questions and get a gummy worm as a prize for correct answers! To finish off the activity, we had a 'rap/song' about moles and atoms which they sang along to and took copies home to remember the lesson. I enjoyed, since the kids were very co-operative and I learned that I actually have enough patience for kids!

Kids enjoying bake sale goods after lesson

Finished with the cake for bake sale

Mango Roses: First day

What did I do?

Today I went to the first rehearsal of Mango Roses. Firstly, not only was it great meeting Kate, an amazing singer but also spending time with the crew! I didn't do much today except watch them go through the songs and get a feel of the play. However at the end of the day Mr. Thompson (my supervisor) asked me to visit Sanyu Babies Home to take footage of babies crying, doors slamming, basically any sort of chaos. This is needed for the production. They are planning on raising money for Sanyu Babies Home using the money from the tickets. Also, tomorrow I will be taking measurements of the actors so we can begin with costume designing! Hopefully all will go great.

Taking action!

Today when I got home, I began contacted everyone I could in order to increase our backstage crew. As the stage manager, I am in charge of making sure there are enough people in backstage crew. So far I got 5 other people to join and look forward to seeing them tomorrow at rehearsal and getting their help!

Let's reflect . . . 

I'm pretty excited about it all as I have never been backstage crew, let alone stage manager! It will be a new experience and I definitely will be stepping out of my comfort zone. I really hope to make the play successful within the next couple of weeks, and in doing so I shall be working hard and need to be very organized and productive.

Until tomorrow!

Mary Ann and Kate teaching the songs

Actors learning the songs (amazing voices by the way)

Long term activities

I have started a couple of long term activities (which will last/have lasted longer than two months), and therefore did separate blogs for each one in order to make the experience easier in terms of reflecting, posting pictures, etc. If you want to take a look at them, click on the links below. The rest of my short term activities will be posted on this main CAS blog. Enjoy!

KEAC Blog - ranakeacblog.blogspot.com
Marathon Blog - ranamarathonblog.blogspot.com
Tutoring ICGE Blog - ranatutoringblog.blogspot.com
House captain - ranasemlikiblog.blogspot.com
Cancer Charity Foundation - cancercharityfoundation.blogspot.com
Football team - ranafootballteam.blogspot.com
Photography Sharing - ranaphotographysharing.blogspot.com
Photography club - ranaphotographyclub.blogspot.com