Pleased to report that today was even hotter, and that we have now reached the forth power cut and counting! It was an interesting day to be staying in our hotel, the Kitgum Royal, because there was a conference organised by the UN Women! The aim was to apparently to encourage women’s involvement in politics in Uganda. I, of course, approve wholeheartedly and beamed enthusiastically at the guests whenever I was walking through.
Today was similar in many days to yesterday. We were in the remote village of Paibor and did some singing with a nursery/primary school, and the farmers there, who were usually also parents of the children. Similarly to yesterday, we were pleased to see the farmers take an interest in the choir festival. Every new group we sing with strengthens our resolve to make this happen!
Tim dancing
My conversations with James were one of my highlights of today. Anyone that meets James Okumu knows what an extraordinary character he is. For those that haven’t read my earlier posts and need some context, James is a good friend of Seeds for Development and the headteacher of a nursery and primary school, Vision Hope. James was very clearly born to teach; one of the many charming aspects of his character is his frequent storytelling, always engaging and informative. As we were dodging through the maize on the acres of Paibor farms, James told me his life story.
Sweet potatoes growing
He told me about how keen he has always been to keep educating himself; how he had to pay for his secondary school fees himself by farming. Sometimes he would be sent home from school for not paying his fees – there is no free secondary education in Uganda – and how he would work intensively in the fields for a couple of days in order to make enough money to get back into the classroom. His education was interrupted by the war, as all the schools in the north were closed, and he was abducted by the LRA before managing to escape. He says that if they knew he could read or write, they would have kept a closer eye on him to help him translate for them. Despite his hardships, he still managed to complete his education and has been a qualified teacher since 2000. He has since gone on to gain a degree in English Literature and Language, and is interested in doing a Masters in English Literature. This is why the other day he had asked me how many scholarships they are at universities in England, he said. If he came to do a masters’ in England I would be pleased to be able to see him again, but sad for the school children here that would miss him in his absence.
Northern Uganda SINGS! 