Wednesday was spent relaxing at home. I had a lovely lie in and then headed to Kabale University with Ian to see where he is studying. He is studying the Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality and is doing very well in his studies.
When I first met Ian it was during the coronavirus lock down. Even though coronavirus did not affect Uganda as badly as the western countries, all education ceased for a year.
Afterwards, many families who had been badly affected financially during lockdown were unable to send their children back to school. Even government funded schools charge fees and expect the children to bring their own books and pencils. Government primary schools offer a low standard of education and most children leave unable to speak English which is vital if they want to pursue a professional career.
This is when I decided to help the families I am currently visiting, with school fees for some of the children to attend a good private school in Kabale. Whilst not the best in the town it certainly gives them a better chance of achieving well enough at primary level to progress to secondary school.
In Uganda all Primary school leavers sit an exam which determines whether they can progress to secondary school or not. If children perform poorly in the primary leavers’ exam their parents will not deem it a good use of money to pay fees for them to continue their education and these children will switch to learn skills and follow vocational pathways.
Just like children in the U.K. the children here have dreams and ambitions about what they want to achieve in life. However the children here do not have anywhere near the amount of opportunities that children in western countries have.
Ian had lost hope of returning to his college studies when I met him as there was no money to support him and he was considering taking to the streets to earn a living in whatever way he could, but I could see in him a desire to progress so I supported him back to college. With this support and encouragement he has improved his grades each semester and is now a respected member of his cohort at university having graduated from college last year. His ambition is to become a tour guide - tourism is a big factor in this part of Uganda due to several national parks being located nearby. Many tourists visit in the hope of spotting mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Ian is also a BLI worker, coordinating the Kabale and Ruhija projects, that BLI U.K. supports. He works tirelessly to support the children making sure they have all they need for school, supporting them with their homework and reading their bibles and praying. He also visits the school in Ruhija regularly to encourage them and report on the progress they are making. No task is too much for him and I am extremely proud of how hard he works and his commitment to helping the children he serves to reach their potential and achieve their dreams. He is a great blessing!
After a visit to the local government school where one of our children is still studying I spent the afternoon playing games with the younger children who do not yet have sponsors to attend school. Last year I took some educational games for these children in an attempt to give them some educational input. They have looked after them very well and so we spent several hours playing and having fun.
Ian and I visited the boarders at school and made a video call with Derrick's sponsors. It was such a lovely experience to be with him as he spoke to them. The contact that the children have with their sponsors is vital to encourage them and spur them on to achieve their best. The children really love and appreciate their sponsors so much. When I am in the U.K. Ian facilitates this contact. I had taken photos of the sponsors with me and gave them to the children as we left. I know they will really cherish them.
A family friend who had got married last weekend visited and brought cake as the family had been unable to attend the wedding! This was enjoyed very much, especially by the children!
I headed to bed tired, but very thankful for all the opportunities I have had to show love to these children and their families whilst I have been here and for the love I have been shown in return. I truly feel at home here and it will be with great sadness that I return home to the U.K. However, for the moment, that is where I need to be, but don’t be surprised to see me back in Uganda again soon and hopefully for longer!!!
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