Schools for Schools Progress

Back in reality, progress is really being made in the Schools for Schools rebuilding projects. It is so exciting to see how much work is taking place, and the headteachers (principals) could not be more grateful to be a part of this program. We hosted a Launch Party this last weekend, inviting all of the Schools and Education officials to meet the high school students who raised the most money for the Program. They arrived here in Gulu as part of an exchange program. It has been greatly inspiring having them here. What a joy to see Miranda and Julia- the girls who we visited in Philadelphia. They came here as a result of their incredible school having raised over 25,000 dollars! The night was beautiful as dignitaries danced with do-gooders. Everyone danced traditional Acholi dances to celebrate the new dorms, classrooms, perimeter walls that are being created. Please keep this implementation phase in your thoughts and prayers as it continues with few obstacles to this point. And realize that this is just the beginning. There is still so much more that these schools need- supplies, resources and further structures. This is only the beginning in our mission to turn around the pathetic and descending standards of these once repuatable and dynamic schools. The war's effects are deep and profound in this land.
We spent yesterday in an IDP camp with the high schoolers. For anyone who isn't aware, IDP stands for Internally Displaced Persons. There are over 1.5 million Ugandans in these camps. To experience their plight for only one day, was depressing, frustrating and degrading. I can only imagine what it would feel like without the hope and anticipation we all had of getting out of there. We had a meal in a woman's hut, watching her prepare this lunch for hours in a smoke filled hut. Plucking leaves, Pounding sesame seeds, grinding bread on a rock, she quickly created a new respect for time and patience. It was an emotional experience, heightened by getting to hold, sing and rock a 2 month old baby in the smokey sunlight. Amazing experiences abound. Emotions run high, often overthinking in this foreign environment. Parallels to American living often rub into the impossible.