The Golden Years of Work (2001-2002)

 "The Golden Years of Work."

That is what one of my former colleagues from Rainbow International School Kampala, 2001-2002, called it.

Rainbow International School Kampala staff (2001-2002)

It was my very first job. I was in my early twenties, with the energy and zeal of a gazelle and the hunger of a starved buffalo. 

Imagine the elation of knowing that work ended at 3:30pm, except on Monday staff meeting days and day when supervising clubs, where it ended at about 4:00pm. A place where home time was respected so much that one day when the Headmaster saw me marking books after 4pm, he demanded that I return home to rest, or go out to have fun.

The Golden Years of Work.

Every communciation was printed and pasted on the staff noticeboard or sent in hard copy newsletters through the parents and students. I remember distributing some of these letters at home time, admonishing those who would not deliver the letters home to parents or guardians.

The Golden Years of Work.

There would be weekly meet-ups of staff at one of the hangouts near the school. And everyone would be invited, because there were no secret WhatsApp groups or hidden codes in email, since none of us ever used our staff emails. The internet lab was still trying to understand how to work in the new century.

We preferred to share our ideas and plans by word of mouth. Sometimes an English teacher would invite us for a cup of tea; or there would be potluck over the weekend.

Everyone knew what was going on in everyone's life and could not understand why I preferred to spend my weekends at church where I was part of a dynamic dance group, than going white water rafting. You see, my energy was boundless those days and I believe that it still is. I did go white water rafting and bungee jumping a few years later.

Dancing in church was one of the most positive ways I could spend my energy, sweating it out as I pranced and flew. And I used to fly. It was an experience, which I still relive today.

The Golden Years of Work.

Nobody showed up with the intent to outdo one another by dressing a certain way or posting on social media about how their lives were better. A mature person knows that someone who is content with their life, never has to prove it. They walk about with a confidence that is palpable; it is warm and genuine.

We had a lot of self-awareness. We lived for the present, while planning for the future.

I believe that is why the WhatsApp group of former staff at Rainbow is one of the most peaceful WhatsApp groups I am in. I do not feel agitated or attacked by any of the posts.

There are groups where people's intent is only to distress and destroy.

This one is different.

The Golden Years of Work.

Now, about that staff photo.

Why do teachers always pose the same way?

Bless!

Bev

Rainbow International School Kampala staff (2001-2002).

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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