By Margarita Rose

Entebbe, Uganda– The decision to return to Entebbe (via Kampala) a day earlier than originally scheduled offered opportunities to attend to tasks and meet with people we wanted to see before we headed home. So, some of our group made the drive to Kampala on Sunday to visit the bountiful craft market to pick up additional artifacts and make a return visit to FEMRITE, the Uganda Women Writers Association. Others used the afternoon to visit Malayka House, an orphanage in Entebbe started by an American, which provides a loving home for dozens of HIV-infected and -affected children and the aunties who care for them. Some of the home’s income-generating activities include sales of Bobo’s Coffee and Pizza Night each Tuesday, catering to ex-pats looking for a little taste of home, themselves.

King’s College alumus Joseph Rwabuhinga and Margarita Rose in Kampala (photo: Margarita Rose)

For me, the afternoon in Kampala was a chance to catch up with a former student of mine, Joseph Rwabuhinga–the first King’s College graduate from Uganda. Joseph’s story is one that would make any teacher proud, and illustrates how abundantly an investment in people can pay off. Through scholarships and hard work, Joseph completed his undergraduate studies at Stonehill College in Massachusetts, another Holy Cross institution, and received his Masters of Science degree in Finance from King’s in 1995. After his return to Uganda, Joseph had stints in various government positions, including with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, where he helped transition the authority to a self-supporting entity, rather than one that relies on annual government budgets.

Now a successful partner in the private sector with DAJ Communications, Ltd.(an MTN franchise offering telecommunications equipment, and cell phone and mobile money services), Joseph also serves on the board of a tea growers cooperative and supports youth empowerment initiatives. His efforts even caught the attention of Uganda’s First Lady, who invited him to the State House for a Youth Forum dinner, organized to bolster support for this critical venture that engages young Ugandans in thought-provoking conversations about avoiding early pregnancy, avoiding drug abuse, staying in school, and serving the community.

Monday, our final day in Uganda, presented another venue for discussing the future for Uganda’s youth, “bookending” our first official activity with our final official activity at Kisubi Brothers University College (KBUC). This time our student teachers (and a few of our current teachers), spent their time at KBUC with their counterparts. Meanwhile, the rest of us met with the Dean of the Faculty of Education, along with several staff members. It was a lively exchange about whether our two systems had much in common, or faced challenges on markedly different levels.

There is no doubt these faculty members understand the difficulties their students will face when they leave the KBUC campus. They realize some students may have no choice about where they wind up teaching, if they even secure a position. They know that some new teachers will have the good fortune of teaching at an institution that is well-equipped, where students are healthy and properly fed, and where teachers are regularly paid a good salary. By the same token, they realize their graduates may find themselves in woefully under-resourced schools, teaching 100+ students in a crowded classroom, with no textbooks, some hungry, some ill, some with unmet special needs, but nearly all eager to learn and convinced that education is truly an investment that they and their families cannot afford to ignore.

Margarita Rose, Br. Stephen LaMendola, and Fr. Thomas O’Hara at Entebbe Airport (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Later that day, as we packed our bags and made our way to Entebbe International Airport–where former King’s College president Fr. Tom O’Hara, CSC joined us on the flight to Amsterdam–each of our group members processed in his or her own way what this month-long experience in Uganda had meant, how it had impacted our lives, and how it would impact our students and our communities in the future. There’s no doubt in my mind that each group member has been “changed for good.”

On behalf of all the members of the “Learning from Ugandan Models of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad, I thank you for reading our blog and encourage you to continue to learn about this wonderful East African country and its people. You will always be “most welcome.”

By Noreen O’Connor

Dennis Byaruhanga (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Entebbe, Uganda– Dennis Byaruhanga, who accompanied our group and drove our “coaster” for the entire month we were in Uganda, also became a teacher, and advisor and friend.

Dennis showed a bottomless store of patience, energy, and good humor as he navigated us through the Kampala’s busy streets, as well as the winding red dirt roads of rural Jinja and Masindi. Dennis is also an expert driver; we witnessed his driving skills in a variety of challenging conditions.

Dennis and his children with Margarita Rose (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

A group of us stopped to reminisce about our time aboard Dennis’ coaster, and share a few moments we’ll remember:

• When he heard that we were studying Swahili and Lusoga, Dennis decided to become our personal language tutor. He especially focused on the Lusoga greeting words “koodi” and “abeno” and the always amusing Swahili term “mzungu.”

• One evening, we were stuck in traffic in Kampala for hours just getting from one side of town to another. While we watched traffic lights cycle through and waited in gridlock, Dennis turned up the music and turned the coaster into a dance party bus. Much to the amusement of passengers in other cars and vans around us, the bus was rocking for about 20 minutes until traffic cleared up.

• 

  Our “coaster” (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

  Returning from Soft Power’s Amagezi Center, which was located in a very rural area of Jinja, it began to rain extremely hard. The dirt road turned to liquid mud, as treacherous as any ice coating in the Poconos; the bus slipped back and forth on the road, between deep ditches. But Dennis steered the bus carefully through. When he finally reached the paved main road, he broke out into a wide smile.

• In Masindi, some of the group saw Dennis in town one evening as they headed out to enjoy a dance club. When they invited him along, Dennis joined the group for a few moves on the dance floor before retiring to play some pool.

• Dennis invited the group to his home in Kampala, where we met his children, admired his wedding photo and a framed portrait of his hero Nelson Mandela, and had a transnational bonding moment when Justin Bieber’s “Baby.”

A student welcomes Erin McDonough to St. Andrew’s Primary School in Jinja (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

By Maria Zangari

Entebbe, Uganda– There is something disingenuous about the phrase “You’re welcome” that I didn’t realize until visiting Uganda. It is as if you are saying, “I’m glad to have you here, but not glad enough to speak the whole phrase instead of a contraction.” Maybe that’s cynical. But the first time our group was welcomed into a school with many empathetic “You are welcome” greetings it struck me how welcomed I truly felt. Although now, at the end of the trip, I have heard this phrase hundreds of times it still feels heartfelt and it is this genuineness that I will bring back to the United States.

Every time I walked into Ugandan classrooms, the teachers offered me their hands and with a smile on their face proclaimed, “You are most welcome!” The students then often greeted me with the same fervor. I felt welcomed into these classes. I felt that my presence was noticed and appreciated and that, for the most part, both teachers and students were happy to have me visit their classrooms. It is the common phrase that drew me in. It made me feel less like an intruder and more like a friend in the classes than the quick “You’re welcome” would have. As a lover of words it strikes me how miniscule modifications to a phrase change its connotations.

St. Jude Primary School students in Jinja (photo: Paula Longo)

Our group visited craft markets in Jinja and Kampala and both times we were lured into shops with “You are welcome” immediately followed by a gesture encouraging us to enter. I find it interesting that somehow, even as a business ploy, this phrase spoken without contraction feels true. I know that the shop owners want me, a white American, in their shops. I know that I am often their target customer. But beyond the monetary appeal, I feel a sense of true happiness and often pride from women when I enter their shops. Owners sometimes point you towards items they think might interest you most. I am most excited when these end up being the exact items I was looking for. Again I feel welcomed and enjoy the bartering process as the attendants stress the importance of the purchase.

The conversations

“Hi, my name is Maria.”
“I’m Thomas. You’re welcome here.”

and

“Hi, my name is Maria.”
“I’m Thomas. You are most welcome here.”

Holy Cross Primary School in Jinja (photo: Paula Longo)

convey two very different feelings. It is amazing how shortened speech can cheapen the quality of the words. And it is hopeful to realize how quickly genuine meaning can be restored. I will bring this genuineness home with me, along with the non-contracted phrase, and I hope I will be able to better express warm welcomes to my guests the way Ugandans have welcomed us into their lives.

By Megan Borsuk

Paraa Lodge at Murchison Fall National Park (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda– We left New Court View Hotel and headed to Murchinson Falls. It was a bittersweet good-bye. The people at New Court View Hotel were great and took care us of us but we were excited for the next leg of the program–the safari.

Getting to Paraa Lodge was quite a journey. The road was not paved. This made for a long and very bumpy ride. My insides felt a bit scrambled. Just before we reached our destination, we had to board a ferry to cross the Nile River.

The ferry across the Nile at Murchison Falls National Park (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

The ferry was not what I expected. Basically, it was a moving platform that carried vehicles and people across the river. It was only traveling a short distance but I did have some reservations. At one point, the park ranger had to shuffle some of us to the opposite side of the platform because it was tilting too much. But we made it–safe and sound!

When we arrived at the lodge, the staff greeted us with cold towels. It was a great surprise. After the long hot bus ride, the cool towels were so refreshing and much needed. As I peeled the towel from my face, I saw the towel was covered in red-brown dirt! At first, I was a bit embarrassed but then realized everyone else had the same dirty face!

Paraa Lodge is a lovely place (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

The lodge was amazing with beautiful views, wild animals, a poolside bar, and turn-down service! Complete luxury! It was the first time I saw this side of Uganda. It was a real privilege. With that said, it also caused some discomfort, moving from the experiences we had the first three weeks. This experience really highlighted the great disparities in the country and globally.

The Paraa Lodge had stable energy, water, food, and then some, while many of the schools, homes and businesses we visited do not have safe and reliable access to these basic needs. It is frustrating to think that as a global community we have the knowledge, technology, and resources yet there are such disparities and inequality. To lessen the divide between ‘the haves’ and ‘the have nots’ we need to look at the distribution and creating fair access to these resources.

By Andita Parker Lloyd

Godfrey Byaruhanga of the Water Trust with a community well in rural Masindi (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Masindi, Uganda– Today we visited the Masindi Office of the Water Trust (http://watertrust.org/), several schools they helped with latrines and/or wash systems, and community water tanks/wells put up by the trust. You might not understand why that is important but hopefully you will shortly.

Imagine a cup of brown cloudy water to drink with your breakfast. Are you excited for that drink? How about washing your hands or body from water that an animal has defecated in? Imagine urinating in a bush or squatting over a rotten wooden hole in the floor. What would you do without your toilet paper or the “new” flushable wipes some people like? If you are struggling to imagine these types of things, I would not be surprised.

According to http://www.merriam-webster.com/, sanitation is the process of keeping places free from dirt, infection, disease, etc., by removing waste, trash and garbage, by cleaning streets, etc. I noticed that the rural schools we visited during our entire trip were lucky to have a latrine with a cement cap. This was an improvement from the previous latrines if they had one previously.

A rain collection tank at St. John Bosco School in Buliisa (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

The rural schools had various ways of getting water but I don’t recall any one of them having running water. This lack of clean water and effective latrines causes a problem with creating a germ-free environment. You want a sanitary environment to help reduce diseases and infections.

The Water Trust helps with this problem in the Masindi and Kiryondongo Districts. The population of these two districts is estimated to be around 480,000, according to watertrust.org. Rachel De Souza just recently took over as the Program Manager in Masindi and appears to be eager and up to the challenge of creating community collaborations for healthier people.

A community well built by the Busoga Trust in a village near Masindi (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Water Fact:
Ugandan women spend an average of 3-5 hours fetching water each day.   (The Water Trust)

We learned that the Water Trust has several projects in place and is successful because they work with the communities and not by bypassing the communities. The local governments help them decide which schools to target and then they go in an assess what might be needed as the highest priority.

The Water Trust can help with shallow hand dug wells, latrines, wash systems, and borehole wells. They also help with educating the community by using Sanitary or Health Clubs comprised of students, Water Trust staff, and teachers. They have a drama group that uses skits to talk about sanitation. This has improved the conditions of the people in these communities. Students can be late or miss school depending on how far they have to go to acquire water. Students also miss school when they are ill with illness due to contaminated water. Female students may not come to school due to menstruation.

Children carry water in rural Masindi, Uganda (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

 Water Fact:
Students who participate in handwashing awareness programs have 40% less absenteeism in school. (The Water Trust)

Students missing school results in inadequate learning. The education system has enough difficulties without the added difficulty of unsafe or unavailable water. I am glad that the Water Trust has been established to help these communities practice more sanitary ways of life.

These sanitation practices will help ensure the future generations of Ugandans will be educated without the hardships that unsafe water and inadequate sanitation practices. “Mazoea ya maji safi na salama itasaidia Uganda kufanikiwa” means “Safe water practices will help Uganda prosper” in Swahili.

Water is essential and we all have to take time to treasure and conserve this natural resource that is not endless.

By Katie Frain

Girls study outside their crowded classroom at St. Joseph Busingiro public school in Buliisa (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Masindi, Uganda– Today we met Maz Robertson, the regional manager of Soft Power Education’s “People and Parks” Project. She brought us to two primary schools that receive support from Soft Power Education, St. John Bosco and St. Joseph Busingiro.

Both of these schools were located in the Buliisa district, a rural area near Murchison Falls National Park. Driving to these schools allowed us to see some of the true beauty that is Uganda. I could not get over how picturesque it was, but then seeing the conditions of the schools and students reminded me that there are children and families suffering in this beautiful world.

We first went to St. John Bosco, a community-run primary school serving about 125 students in P1 through P6. As soon as we pulled up, we could see that this was a very rural school. It had one building that Soft Power built for the school in 2012, a solid new building with three classrooms; students were also studying in simple community church building on the school grounds, a structure that was made of wood and clay. The school also had a small playground with new play equipment consisting of six swings and a slide. In addition, the school had a new pit latrine and water cistern. All around the school grounds, crops grew.

Primary 3 students at St. John Bosco Community school in Buliisa (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

When we looked into the classrooms, I was expecting to see rows of long desks and a big chalkboard in the front of the room like I had seen in many of the other Ugandan schools we have visited. To my surprise, however, one of the classrooms was split in half, with a plastic sheeting curtain and a small chalkboard at the front.

In the clay building there were no chalkboards and it was pretty dark; I can only imagine how difficult it would be to teach and to learn in such an environment. It saddened me to see that none of the students wore shoes and to hear these students asking for sweets and water, when at their age I  just got handed these things.

Students at St. John Bosco in Buliisa singing for us, their “dear visitors.” (photo: Katie Brunwasser)

At the end of our visit we got a warm goodbye performance from the students, including songs, dancing, and poetry. When the students were singing I noticed one boy who was sitting on a watering can, using the bottom of it as a drum. I thought that was pretty clever and at then realized that these students must be so resourceful with everything they find. I hope that their resourcefulness will stay with them; who knows maybe we met some future inventors.

The second school we went to was St. Joseph Busingiro Primary, a public school serving over 1000 students. To me, this school looked more similar to other schools we have been to. However, when we had the chance to go into some classes, some of the first things I noticed were that there were students sitting on the floor with their notebooks in their laps because there were no more seats for them.

(photo:Noreen O’Connor)

I felt guilty that they had a set an empty desk off to the side for us to sit in while the students had to work on the floor. Despite the fact that these kids didn’t have much, they were still students. They listened and actively participated for their teacher, just like any other child in the world.

I loved our visit to The Soft Power schools and I would love to come back to volunteer. I think that Soft Power is doing such powerful work and helping so many students. Without this organization these children may not have had the opportunity to have school buildings.

By Erin McDonough

A chimpanzee in Budongo Forest (photo: Erin McDonough)

Masindi, Uganda– Last night, Brian Dugas asked to gather the group to suggest adding something to our agenda since we had the next morning free. He suggested that we go to Budongo Forest to go chimpanzee trekking. The group’s decision was unanimous. We decided to get up early and go see some chimps!

Erin McDonough in Budongo Forest (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

After breakfast, we got on the bus and headed towards the forest. During the ride, one of our group started shouting and asked Dennis, our bus driver, to stop. Once I looked at the window I found that there were about ten baboons playing in the road! We took some time to take many pictures and to observe what they were doing. Some of them were running around, others where climbing trees, and a few had babies hanging from their stomachs. It was adorable to say the least!

Chimpanzee trekking guide Deo Chombedeo (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

A few minutes later, we picked up our guide and he took us to the part of the forest where he knew we could find the most chimps. We walked to the edge of the forest and he asked that we be quiet to enter. We were dodging vines and stepping over fallen trees for a little when all of a sudden we heard some very loud noises coming from the chimps. It was surreal! It sounded like dog’s bark, but louder. Everyone did everything they could to hold in their laughter.

Baboons on the road near Masindi (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

We finally got to the area where the chimps were playing and eating. I was surprised by how much they could move the trees that they were in! We watched them for a while and tried to get as many pictures as we could before they ran away. Every now and then they would start communicating with one another. Once we had gotten out of the forest, the guide told us that they were making those noises to scare us away. I think I speak for the group when I say that it was a very exhilarating experience!

Holy Cross Lakeview secondary school in Jinja

Masindi, Uganda– In the book of Genesis, we are reminded that after creating the world in six days, God rested on the seventh. Today was a day of rest for most of the group with few scheduled activities. For me, the day afforded the opportunity to reflect on my experiences in Uganda so far. After a twenty-two year absence, I was anxious to visit the country again and see what changes have taken place.

Without a doubt, one of the most significant changes that I have witnessed has dealt with technology. Cell phone towers now dot the country’s landscape and enable a vast number of people to communicate with one another in ways that were not possible in the past. It has been fascinating to visit rural areas and find signs that indicate places to charge cellular phones or buy additional air time…all at a price of course! Universal education has now been mandated throughout Uganda. Although there is a national curriculum, the quality of education varies from district to district and between government and private schools. However, it has been gratifying to observe teachers in classrooms that are often overcrowded (sometimes with as many as 100 students) and with a bare minimum of materials. Without a doubt, even with numerous challenges, education is seen as key to Uganda’s future and there are more schools than I had remembered in the past.

“World Class Internet”: Uganda’s MTN is everywhere (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Poverty still exists in large numbers–both in urban as well as rural areas–but I have witnessed the emergence of a growing middle class who have comparative challenges with the middle class in our country. Making ends meet and wanting the best possible opportunities to insure your children’s success and well being are traits shared across cultures!   With the rise of the middle class, I have also witnessed a greater role of women in Ugandan society. Even in some of the rural areas, there was evidence of day care centers, indicating that some women are entering the work force in greater numbers than before. I have also witnessed more women in leadership roles – and taking on more responsibility for heading the family in the absence of a husband.

Finally, I have also witnessed how the Catholic faith has firmly taken root in the country. I have been greatly inspired to pray with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Jinja and with diocesan priests in Kampla. Of course, attending Mass with the parishioners of Holy Cross parish in Bugembe (staffed by CSC) and visiting the CSC formation house in Jinja provided me with the firm hope that the Congregation of Holy Cross has a viable and strong future in East Africa.

I have been truly been blessed by this visit to Uganda, and as always, learn so much from a people who are warm, hospitable and make one feel so welcome.

By Paula Longo

A TASO client with her family and neighborhood children. She has a small business that helps her pay her children’s school fees. (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Masindi, Uganda– It is very difficult to put today’s realizations, truths and emotions into words. I will try my best though.

Rachel Kamara, of The Aids Support Organization (TASO), presented a lecture entitled “HIV/Aids: No Barrier to Development, Education and Entrepreneurship.”  We had already met her earlier during the week and visited the TASO Medical Center in Masindi, so we had an understanding of all the services this non-governmental organization offers to those who are HIV positive as well as children of those who are HIV positive.

You can certainly read up on all the statistics about Ugandans and HIV/AIDS, but to have the opportunity to meet a person who is personally delivering hope, educating the public, and counseling day in and out is invaluable. It brings the human element of this disease to the surface. Although Ms.  Kamara used this quote in regards to her HIV/AIDS clients, it relates to any obstacle or life-changing event:

“One’s downfall can be a stepping stone for success and life.”

I have always believed that education is power. However, this education is creating much more. It has started a women’s liberation movement and assists people in accepting their disease.

This was evident when we toured the market stands and homes of several HIV positive women entrepreneurs. They were very informative, proud, and knowledgable about their businesses.

Sharon Nyakoojo of the Family Sprit Child Centre (photo: Noreen O’Connor)

Our last stop was the Family Spirit Children Centre, an orphanage and school that serves poor, orphaned, and HIV-positive children. This is the part I can not adequately express in words. The sadness, joy, despair and wonder in the eyes of these children was indescribable. The small hands that reached up to us, the innocent eyes and the incredible smiles were overwhelming. It was all too much to comprehend. How could they be so friendly to strangers? How could they want affection from human beings after being abandoned and/or inflicted with this lifelong disease?

Many of them sang songs of peace, love and their concern for losing their elders due to AIDS. Other children snuggled in on our laps while some others watched on the sidelines.

Even more amazing is the woman, Sharon, who operates this orphanage and school with her husband Isaac Nyakoojo.  She has endured being a war refugee and other horrific events, including a rape that left her HIV infected. Many people in her position would fall into a negative world of darkness. Instead, Sharon’s strength, positivity and perseverance guided her to save  some of Uganda’s children. She is a true hero and inspiration for us to aspire to.