Uganda Reading Tents Project

Dear State of Jefferson Rotary Members,

We are excited to participate with our young friends in Uganda using digital tools, a perfect activity for our eClub! The children in the Tandi Reading Club will gather on April 27 in Uganda. Before then, my colleague from Uganda and I invite you to record a short video using Flip, a Microsoft tool specifically for educational environments such as schools and this project. We chose it because it is relatively easy to use, but there are some tricky parts, so if you need help, please just drop me an email (remember I’m in Spain, 9 hours ahead of you, so it may take a day for me to respond). 

This week, please join our Flip classroom, Uganda Reading Tent. Click here: https://flip.com/6fbbe6c3. You can also scan the QR code instead.  

There you will find a video that walks you through the steps to record your message. You can find it here: https://flip.com/s/2ymmd62ey3mb

The children will respond on April 27, and we hope they will see anything you post to respond back to them. Internet can be a challenge in Uganda. 

Tips for recording your video. You have a maximum of 3 minutes, but shorter is probably better.

1. Check the background behind you; make sure your camera (on your computer or cell phone) is working as well as the microphone. Be sure that the lighting shows your face well (you can just record audio, but video is better).
2. Speak slowly and clearly because English is a second language for most of these children. Use short sentences and phrases without complicated vocabulary.
3. Rehearse a time or two (you can actually record and then just discard the file if you don’t like the first take, or the second 😊 )
4. Introduce yourself briefly.
5. Talk about books or reading and how it affects your life.
   1. What is your favorite children’s book (from when you were a kid, or to read to your children or grandchildren)? Provide a one or 2-sentence summary.
   2. Why do you love to read?  
   3. Do you read to anyone now or at some point in the past?
   4. What do you want to read and briefly why?
   5. You get the idea.
6. Then make a brief call to respond. You can ask the children,
   1. Tell me about what you are reading now? What’s it about?
   2. What is your favorite book (or poem)? Why do you like it?
   3. What do you like most about reading at the Reading Tent?
   4. Who is your favorite person to read with? Your mother, brother, classmate?
7. You can see my example here: https://flip.com/s/adzx-Ca9e-Am

This week, please record your video for the children in Uganda. The next week, I will work with anyone who needs help or who has another idea (for example, it is possible to upload a clip to Flip). Then on Saturday, April 27 Uganda time, the children will see your videos and respond to your thoughts. 

Thank you for your Rotary service!
Best, DeVere