Full of Gratitude... And Posho

It is a joy when a decision is made, and later, one is presented with evidence that the choice was a good one.  Last year, the Mwebaza Foundation decided to take on Parents' Junior School (PJS) near Gulu as a partner school, and during our trip here, we have received numerous confirmations that this selection was indeed wise.

The Mwebaza Foundation could not do the work that it does in Africa without competent dedicated, and honest partners here on the ground. The leadership at PJS has shown itself to be trustworthy and dependable. Like our other Ugandan partners, PJS is committed to improving opportunities for its student population. The school board have been great at communicating challenges and celebrations with us, and together, we are developing detailed, workable plans for several sustainable, development projects.

When we arrived at the school, we were greeted by the mothers of the students, who performed a traditional dance for us. Then, we were invited to join in dancing with community members. We were told that the Acholi traditionally greet special guests by dancing with them, and say goodbye to them later with communal dancing as well.  The visitors gradually dance away from the group as dancing continues among the remaining, relieving some of the sadness of parting.  That is exactly how we ended our celebration day at the school.

Between dancing in and dancing out of PJS, there were speeches by local council members, school board members, the gentleman who donated the land for the school, and representatives of the Mwebaza Foundation. Everyone who spoke pledged a commitment to work together for the good of the school. The speeches were heartfelt and genuine.  

And the food was... delicious! The staple food of posho (thick, cornmeal porridge) was served with greens, beans, potatoes, rice, thick pea soup, and beef sauce. The children performed traditional songs and dances. Students with notable academic achievements or character traits were awarded with special prizes provided by our long-time partners at the Heaven's Hope Foundation (HHF). When a child's name was called for an award, the parents would rush to the child and lift them over their head, accompanied by high-pitched ululating. It was a truly remarkable celebration! We felt so special. And so did the children!

Although the next day was not as festive, it was no less important or worth celebrating. Due to the generosity of the HHF, 12 need-based, academic scholarships would be awarded that day. Devaki, Dale, and Namatovu interviewed approximately 42 families, and had the difficult task of choosing only 12 to receive scholarships. The stories we heard were heartbreaking and verifiably true. Women with 8 children abandoned by their husbands.  Grandmothers whose own children had died of AIDS raising their grandkids.  Mother's with children whose hair was turning blonde due to malnutrition.  Most of those who we interviewed lived hand-to-mouth, with the capacity, resources, and education to grow only enough vegetables to feed their families. Most realized that education was the only hope for their children to avoid living such a meager life.

But paying school fees was impossible for these 42 families. With an HHF scholarship, a family will not have to pay school fees for the entire year. The money not spent on school fees could be used for more food, expanding vegetable production, or starting a small business.

While we were interviewing scholarship applicants, Lily, Gigi, and Ellen were helping students write penpal letters to their penpals at Coronado Hills Elementary in Thorton. The children relished the  opportunity to draw and color with crayons.

Our second day at PJS ended with a visit to the home of one of the school board members for a traditional meal. The next day, we were fortunate enough to have two traditional meals, one with long-time friends, the Okuyas, and another at the home of PJS's school board president. Having guests in one's home is considered to be quite an honor, and we were happy to bring such honor and receive such hospitality twice in the same day. And were we ever stuffed at the end of our time in Gulu!

Next, we will return to Mwebaza School in the Kampala area for pen pal letter writing and scholarship interviews.  Then on to St. Paul School in the rainforest near Nkokonjeru to do the same.