Uganda 2012 Journal - Part 3

5 July 2012

Today we visited Grace Community School, a school founded by Grace Fellowship Church and Grace for Africa Childcare, under the directorship of the Pastor there.  The school was set up to educate poor and orphaned children in a rural area not far from Jinja.  Since starting the school with 20 children a few years ago, it now has 180 kids from infant age through to secondary.  We met all of the teachers there and the other staff who look after the children with exceptional love and care.

The children here are very poor - some do not have shoes, and many are dressed in what look like 5th-hand clothes.  However, these kids are cared for, washed, fed and loved by the school which gives them dignity far beyond their economic status.  The living quarters for the kids who live on site are very basic - a bare room with 6-8 bunk beds.  It much be very crowded and cramped for them.  However, the beds are clean and have blankets which again is a sign of the dignity these kids are afforded.  

A classroom at Grace Community School - note the 'open plan' construction!

We visited classrooms and told them about Scotland, the UK and our culture, and we learned about theirs - particularly their tribes and also what they know about us.  Their main knowledge of the UK was Queen Elizabeth and premiership football!  All love Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - one boy even told me he was a fan of Queens' Park Rangers!  After these off the cuff 'lessons', it was over to us to play games with the kids - musical statues, musical bumps, duck duck goose, etc seemed to work in any culture, and the kids had a great time. 

Explaining musical statues with Jo - not for the last time!

Clara playing catch

Posing for the camera

 


They are so beautiful, smiling and affectionate.  To see such joy and such poverty cheek by jowl is a totally new experience for me - leaving me unsure how to feel. 

After the riotous games time, much to our relief, we were allowed to sit down, and were treated to a wonderful programme of singing and dancing by some of the school choirs (one song: 'Our visitors you are welcome!') accompanied by three drummers.  It was amazing - especially the dancing - real shake your hips stuff which was introduced to us as traditional folk dancing (we seem so stiff and white in comparison!).  The kids clearly loved performing for us, and it was such a treat.

'Our Visitors, You are Welcome!'

This girl was such a good dancer!

Teachers join in the dancing!

Drummers accompanying the kids performance

After lunch, we returned to the school and participated in a spirited debate.  (It was very formal - the chairman was one of the older kids and kept the protocols in high regard!).  The subject of the debate was "Ancient Life is better than Modern Life" and some clever arguments were put forward.  We were asked to contribute to the floor discussion and also to judge the debate - we found in favour of the "ancient" way.  Another chance for the kids to shine, and it was funny and moving for us too (one kid: "I support the modern way of life because it enables me to see white people!")  Kids also shared memory verses from the Bible and sang the national anthem three times! 

School debate in full swing

We closed out the visit with a discussion between us and the staff which included much encouragement, praising God and outlining the need for resources to keep the school running.  (one kid: "We have a football team, but no football").  We made plans to return with gifts for the school now that we know some of their needs.  Again, I was so moved by the gracious welcome of the Ugandans - such wonderful people who make us feel like royalty (slightly uncomfortable for us, but we could only be won over by their grace).

Also I was so impressed with their faith and absolute trust that God will provide for them (one song they sang: "God will make a way"- this is so real and so urgent for these people that is makes our Western affluent faith seem like a luxury add-on to our comfortable lives.)  Still, I am not left only with a feeling of rich man guilt - I am left in awe of God's love in action for these desperately poor children whose lives are being transformed by an academic, social, and spiritual education which embodies the love of Christ in such an inspiring way.  The church is the hope of these children's world - there is no separation or consumer mentality to faith.  The church is life, love, hope and, well, everything, to these children, and you can read it in their faces.

Waiting for a meal.  Thankfully it is being provided here.

Waving goodbye to the children of Grace Community School

Post script: taught Daniel at the hotel the tricky A chord tonight.