Of Memories at Rainbow International School

Do you see the young lady in spectacles? That's me.

It's 2001 and I'm at my very first job, teaching at Rainbow International School Kampala, (Now changed to Rainbow International School Uganda). 

That's my senior secondary class, Year 7, all of whom are in their thirties, and most of whom have families of their own. That particular day was non-uniform day, last day of school, just before the Christmas holidays.

Having a first job, that pays in US Dollars, one that empowers you to buy a car before your peers, even as the youngest employee at your job, does a lot for your confidence, with a tad bit of anxiety too.

I was ready. Always ready for any international or global challenge, which is how I got the job. Volunteering at Uganda Women Writers’ Association, the head of the English department at Rainbow, Sophie Bamwoyerakyi, a constant visitor at the organisation, noticed the way I ushered in visitors, arranged the material for workshops, sold books with enthusiasm, politely responded to inquiries, and was always immaculately dressed.

Introducing herself as the head of the English department, after a brief chat and an application letter and C.V, I began teaching English and History in August of 2001.

 

I am always ready for a global challenge and international opportunity, because I know there are spaces for learning about ideas far loftier than my own and for connections across borders. The thrill!

It was one rainy afternoon in early August of 2001 when the headmaster at the time, Cliff Green, called me for an impromptu interview.

"Hello Beverley, are you able to pop in for an interview?"

I was dressed in a long skirt with a blouse, tucked in. Not in jeans, not that it would have mattered, since it was impromptu? Hmmm.

Boarding a taxi from the park, to Kansanga, I made it in about 30 minutes to the school gate, and was ushered to the headmaster's office. There he was waiting for me, in the rain. I offered him my umbrella which he politely refused, and gave me a quick history and tour of the school.

On mentioning my salary, I am not sure if he heard me gulping down my intense satisfaction at receiving close to 1,000 USD as starting salary. The rate then, was slightly less than 2,000 UGX and yet it was enough to make me feel rich and increasingly privileged.

I enjoyed Rainbow a lot. During an opportunity for two teachers to travel to South Africa, escorting eighteen students on a holiday tour across Johannesburg, Sun City, Durban and Pretoria, many of the teachers, for some reason, voted me. And I went, stayed at the 4 star Randburg Hotel, next to the Waterfront, toured the most delectable of places which honeymooners dream of.

 

Pretoria Zoo, the largest in Africa, had penguins. Now that was a sight! And then Gold Reef City with peacocks walking by like important pedestrians. Sun City was a Disney like marvel. Places like Soweto and relearning the history of Mandela and Apartheid, Hillbrow, which we were told to never pass by as tourists and Sandton, with malls larger than we could have imagined.

 

It was not uncommon for many of the tour guides to mistake me for one of the students. I was 25 years old and wore jeans and bandanas.

 

I always felt part of something special when I was at Rainbow, undoubtedly because as an individual, the ability to express my creative side was unlimited. I led the creative dance club, held debates in many of my History and English lessons and led a successful camping trip to Samuka Island in Jinja. The hummocks, boats, magnificent views of the lake and cosy campfires at night.

 

Being new to an international teaching curriculum, there was a lot to navigate. Two decades later, I’m still in touch with some of the staff and students, who formed an indelible impact on my life.

 

Rainbow was one of the most important learning curves of my career, a trajectory for my global experience. With every job, we need to share our narrative, the truth and the joy that often go untold, the lessons we learned and the future we continue to live towards.

If you ever have a chance to work in an international space where your creative side is harnessed, with a salary that pleases you, then that's a gift.

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