KAREN - TUESDAY
Today Debbie and I sponsored a 12 year old local girl to go to school for a year. It was an incredibly humbling experience when we learnt that it would cost a mere £70 for a child to be given the opportunity to be educated. The young girl, Brenda, is an orphan. We know no details of her father, but our friend Dr George cared for her mother up until her death through HIV at Christmas time. She is now looked after by her extended family members. As well as covering our school fees, our money also makes a contribution to the school of a sack of rice, and pays towards her uniforms, text books, stationary, toilet paper (yes indeed the kids must supply their own loo roll!)...and a broom! We are not kidding, apparently the children have to sweep their own classroom every morning!
We learnt that Brenda is a clever young girl, coming second in her class in Science, Maths, and English. The report however did say she must be less playful in class - glad to hear she has brains as well as a sense of mischief! The school year started here in Uganda this week. We were motivated to help her when we learnt that she attended for school last Monday and was sent home by the caretaker as no one had paid her fees. This is a little girl with a passion to learn - how can you deny a child the opportunity to go to school? In a developed society we would automatically attend school without question of funding. We see it as our human right to be educated and even have the privilege of which schools we choose to apply! In fact, parents are prosecuted if children play truant! It is often difficult for a child to attend school here in Uganda because family sizes are so large, often with 5 or more children. Parents struggle to feed and clothe all their kids let alone afford to educate them as well. Consequently, children grown up working from a very early age, and learn a skill such as tailoring, carpentry, cooking, metal work and farming.
We are meeting our young friend on Thursday. Debbie and I are excited to meet her and to visit her at school!
DEBBIE - FRIDAY
After meeting our young friend Brenda yesterday we learnt of another child in need of sponsorship named Mercy. Her mother was abducted at the age of 9 on her way home from school by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) and was held in captivity for approximately 5 years. During this time, she was given as a 'wife' to two Commanders and subsequently gave birth to a daughter - Mercy. After a failed attempt to escape she was badly beaten but thankfully succeeded on her second attempt. Now she and her daughter are rebuilding their lives. Mother managed to finish the schooling she missed out on thanks to the help of a local organisation, and 6 year old Mercy is top of the class and wants to be a lawyer!!!
This term however, Mercy was to be removed from school as no funding was available for her fees. We could not resist helping, and so now have two sponsors that we will enjoy seeing through their school years!
Today Debbie and I sponsored a 12 year old local girl to go to school for a year. It was an incredibly humbling experience when we learnt that it would cost a mere £70 for a child to be given the opportunity to be educated. The young girl, Brenda, is an orphan. We know no details of her father, but our friend Dr George cared for her mother up until her death through HIV at Christmas time. She is now looked after by her extended family members. As well as covering our school fees, our money also makes a contribution to the school of a sack of rice, and pays towards her uniforms, text books, stationary, toilet paper (yes indeed the kids must supply their own loo roll!)...and a broom! We are not kidding, apparently the children have to sweep their own classroom every morning!
We learnt that Brenda is a clever young girl, coming second in her class in Science, Maths, and English. The report however did say she must be less playful in class - glad to hear she has brains as well as a sense of mischief! The school year started here in Uganda this week. We were motivated to help her when we learnt that she attended for school last Monday and was sent home by the caretaker as no one had paid her fees. This is a little girl with a passion to learn - how can you deny a child the opportunity to go to school? In a developed society we would automatically attend school without question of funding. We see it as our human right to be educated and even have the privilege of which schools we choose to apply! In fact, parents are prosecuted if children play truant! It is often difficult for a child to attend school here in Uganda because family sizes are so large, often with 5 or more children. Parents struggle to feed and clothe all their kids let alone afford to educate them as well. Consequently, children grown up working from a very early age, and learn a skill such as tailoring, carpentry, cooking, metal work and farming.
We are meeting our young friend on Thursday. Debbie and I are excited to meet her and to visit her at school!
DEBBIE - FRIDAY
After meeting our young friend Brenda yesterday we learnt of another child in need of sponsorship named Mercy. Her mother was abducted at the age of 9 on her way home from school by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) and was held in captivity for approximately 5 years. During this time, she was given as a 'wife' to two Commanders and subsequently gave birth to a daughter - Mercy. After a failed attempt to escape she was badly beaten but thankfully succeeded on her second attempt. Now she and her daughter are rebuilding their lives. Mother managed to finish the schooling she missed out on thanks to the help of a local organisation, and 6 year old Mercy is top of the class and wants to be a lawyer!!!
This term however, Mercy was to be removed from school as no funding was available for her fees. We could not resist helping, and so now have two sponsors that we will enjoy seeing through their school years!
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