Checking in From Africa

"If I come to America, will my skin turn white like yours?" That was the shy question asked of me the other day by a sweet girl in a P4 class in one of the schools I was visiting. My answer... "only if mine will turn black when I come to Uganda. Let's see if it does." We rubbed our arms together, but they remained the same as before. Her classmates laughed and I said, you are still just as beautiful as before. The children want to know everything about American children. Do they wear uniforms? Do they eat the same food? What do they study?

Visiting children in the classes has been the highlight of my travel through Uganda. Though the roads have been rough and muddy due to the hard rains, and the red dirt is often on my skirt and sandals, driving into the actual schoolyard brings a chorus of shouting children running to greet the van. A muzungu (white person) is often seldom seen and quite a sight to behold. Welcome songs are sung in class, girls curtsy and boys shake hands. The headmaster has a guest book for us to sign. Some schools have performances with drumming and Ugandan tribal dancing as well.

I am happy to report that our books are being used in the schools we have supported. In some schools they have even tracked student progress from year to year and can link an improvement in student progress this last year to the implementation of our books. Now that is exciting! Having resources in the schools is actually making a difference in the rate of student achievement in these schools. In every case the schools I visited asked, if possible, could I get them more books. They were so appreciative, but are struggling with absolutely enormous class sizes- some as large as 100. I had to tell them that I must help those that have not yet received the books before we allow schools to receive a second helping. They were of course sad, but understood. So the need is great! PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TODAY !