Uganda Christian University

Henry and I left Nkumba University and headed to Mokono district where Uganda Christian University is located – just two km before Kefa Sempangi’s home. Uganda Christian University is ranked #2 in Uganda. The ride was perhaps an hour by boda – no helmets, no sunglasses, and more importantly no sunscreen. We hadn’t planned this trip ahead of time, so the idea of sunscreen hadn’t crossed my mind. I am burnt and blistering. Taking a boda was most timely however we had to “get skinny” dozens of times so that we fit between the small space left by taxis and cars.

In true Ugandan fashion, dropping in unannounced was met with a warm welcome. Having met several University professionals, we finally found the associate dean of marketing. Following the formal introduction by Henry and a brief description of my education and experience, the dean began brainstorming ways that we might collaborate. He took my tentative proposal for return trips to Uganda and filled them in with…assignments. We departed with a tentative plan for my next trip (did I just say that out loud?) and gratitude.

Why interview with universities in Uganda? The idea was that I might gain global exposure to teaching styles, resources, methods, and relationships while making a contribution to the community here. Having this experience will help me better understand the culture and the infrastructure in Uganda and thus better equip me to actually make a difference using the education and experience I already have. The kinds of work discussed at both universities will likely be pro bono (does that count for non-lawyers?), but the experience will be immeasurably valuable.

God swung these doors wide open. Please pray that I can step through the doors leading to these opportunities with the same level of certainty.

Nkumba University

Henry, perceptive man that he is, arranged an interview for me at Nkumba University. Nkumba University is ranked #10 in Uganda and is semi-nearby Kawuku. Their School of Business Administration “is one of the leaders of business education in Uganda. Its philosophy is built on producing graduates who are principled, disciplined, respectable, knowledgeable and transparent.”

A short jaunt on Henry’s boda boda was interrupted by a pre-meeting stop at an internet café to print my resume – the most embarrassingly poor printout of anything I’ve ever seen…so much for first impressions.

We first met with the dean of students to inquire about their interest in collaboration, an appointment set the previous day by Henry. He agreed that there might be a match in the Business Communications department and led us up to another office where a student seeking advice from her professor was interrupted by my arrival. The department head welcomed us and inquired about my education and experience and went on to invite me to assist him and the many students who are required to take the Business Communications class.

We brainstormed about some ways to help raise up the marginal students with more small group assistance. We talked about dates and schedules. In concluding, we agreed to talk again very soon. Of course the main obstacle is my availability.

Bible School Graduation Ceremony

The last week of school is winding down and the widely anticipated graduation ceremony was held today (Saturday, October 2). Pastors and their families came from short and long distances to participate. Everyone, including the children, was dressed in their Sunday best. One pastor located some black caps and gowns with blue hoods for the graduates to borrow – a true luxury.

They gathered at a church to robe up and have photos taken – another luxury. By 9:00 a.m. the sun was just plain hot and all the shady spots were jammed with robed graduates. These eager people marched one kilometer through the streets of Malindi with friends and family surrounding them. The sounds of horns and cheering could be heard from a distance. This graduation is a big deal here. They even had to get a permit from the police to hold the “parade.”

The town hall was packed with well-wishers. Fans whirred from every corner. Over 450 people were in attendance for the 26 graduating pastors. Kelly and Kathy went to great lengths to attend to the details that will make this occasion special for each individual pastor. The ceremony was an almost exact replica of one from America: Introductions, singing, a guest speaker, the conferring of the diplomas, and moving the tassel. There was one exception that really made this occassion very moving.

After the diplomas were conferred, friends and family began coming to the graduates who were seated in the front two rows. They brought gifts, signs, flowers, and some small money to put into the hands of these most beloved family members. This gifting went on for some time until hugs, photos, and dancing took over every area on the main floor. This is the time when I could really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit along with a little self-centered sadness. I quickly joined in the dancing to the welcoming of Pastor Njuguna and some of his congregation.

Wow, what a momentous occasion and I got to participate!

Olivia's Story: Update

Before I so hurriedly rushed off to Kenya, I was assigned the task of delivering a procedure letter to the owners of three of the schools where Mercy Uganda has sponsored children. While at the schools, I delivered gift bags sent from the states via Laura for those children sponsored at these schools – Yunus, Frank, Olivia, and Eseza’s twin sisters.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Olivia, the child my friend sponsors, and to deliver her gift box. She seemed to recognize me, but she was no more talkative than during the last visit in June. As is true of so many Ugandan women, Olivia is quiet and reserved. She used no more words than necessary even when I asked open-ended questions.

We talked a little about how she was doing in school and gave her the assignment of getting her last term grades so that when I came back later this month to visit again she could tell me about her progress and I could bring a report back to her sponsor. We also talked a little about what she might need, as I was given some cash to help with these kinds of items. With that list, I’ll do a little shopping in preparation for another longer visit with this beautiful young girl.

I asked all those hard questions again – and will make a routine of doing so – and found that Olivia is healthy and happy. She is now boarding at the school and enjoying being with her friends. I wonder if she knows how important a role her being sponsored played in bringing me to Uganda in the first place.

School "Requirements"

One of Mercy Uganda’s priorities is getting orphaned children a quality, Christian education. Thus, sponsorship fees generally cover that education and boarding at the school along with a mattress and a blanket. No Mercy Uganda administration fees are included in what sponsors pay; that money goes directly to the school. Yet so many additional needs exist beyond just the education and boarding. For example, students need a school uniform, sportswear for gym class, shoes and socks, and a sweater. One of each costs 60,000 shillings. Having more than one of each is helpful when it comes to laundering, particularly the school uniform.

For dormitory purposes, students are asked to provide for themselves: bed sheets, a basin, a jerry can, a mosquito net, and a torch – 36,500 shillings. For toilet purposes students are asked to provide: a sponge, toothbrushes, toothpaste, a comb, shoe polish and brush, slippers, soap, towels, Vaseline, toilet paper, and a basket to carry things in – 38,000 shillings. In the area of non-uniform clothing, students are asked to provide: casual clothing for non-school times, underwear, and nightwear – 79,000 shillings (shoes are expensive). Students are asked to provide their own kitchen wear: sugar, plate, fork, knife, and spoon – 9,500 shillings. Miscellaneous requirements include: exercise books, black books, a charcoal iron, brooms, a ream (paper?), and a set – 28,000 shillings. I know that all these items are different and necessary but I’m not sure how.

So you see, this $450 education and boarding just increased by almost 200,000 shillings or by 25% not including the uniform. Not all sponsors can afford to add to the fees they’re already paying. Some aren’t yet aware of these additional needs. These are undoubtedly items, however, that we pay for when our own children need them. School supplies, clothing, toothbrush, food, etc. We all know they add up but which one of these items would you tell your child to go without. Sorry honey, no toilet paper today.

Bethel Junior School

Mercy Uganda chooses which schools its sponsored children attend based on the quality of the education provided. There are some circumstances, such as location, where a Christian school is not available but every effort is made to ensure the children receive a Christian education. Bethel Junior School, in Namulanda, is one of the schools where five sponsored children attend.

School leaders are generally inclined to be helpful and open about their schools, their curriculum, and the affairs of the sponsored children. Of course, the schools don’t function in exact parallel to how they might function in the U.S. so Mercy Uganda is still learning what questions to ask so that each student is most well cared for.

For example, we learned that all of the students receive porridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From what I can tell, porridge consists of milk with cornmeal. Seems cruel but given the available funds in an already poor area of the country, porridge three times a day is more than so many other children receive. The children can bring “pocket money” to purchase additives such as geenuts (peanuts), honey, or some other small foods. In a week’s time, students will generally need 2,500 shillings ($1.25) per week to have access to these extra foods to make the porridge more nutritious and more edible.

What this means is that child sponsors may wish to provide pocket money for their child from which to enhance their meal time and nutritional intake (at least a little). The $450 sponsorship fund is for education and boarding, but that money does not cover pocket money. This approach seems to be mirrored throughout all the schools we encountered.

Robert's Story

Remember Grace? Her oldest grandson, Robert, is in need of tuition for school. We’ve discovered that to properly advance in school Robert must enroll by this week Friday. If he is not fully paid and enrolled, he will have to wait a full year before returning because he will have missed too much school. To purchase his uniform, pay for tuition, and provide supplies he is required to pay 163,000 shillings ($81.50). While Mercy Uganda will seek a sponsor for his ongoing educational needs, would you be willing to sponsor the P7 year for Robert? (Thank you BJH, for stepping in at the last minute to serve as a bridge for this child's education.)