Post #13: Webale Nyo

Hello from the Entebbe Airport in Uganda. This week has been filled with so much joy and so much sadness. I’m going to try to keep this post brief because at this point, I’ll be home soon! I would much rather tell you all these stories in person :)

Teacher Betty wanted to make sure the students took their end of term math exams this week so that I could grade them before I left. I was super nervous Monday and Tuesday as I scrambled to teach all the remaining topics in the curriculum and practice some of the more difficult material. I really didn’t want to let these kids down but not covering something that they would be tested on.

I am so proud to say that my students made miraculous improvements from their midterm exams to their final exams. Just in case you want some numbers (I was so excited I made a spreadsheet to measure their improvements)….the average score on the midterm in Primary 3 was a 50. The average score for the final was a 65. The average score in Primary 6 went up 23 points. 22/24 of my students across all three classes performed better on the Final than they did on the midterm, many of them increasing their scores by 10 or 20 points!  These improvements were a direct result of their handwork and perseverance. To say I’m proud of these little math champions would be an understatement. When I first came, I asked each student what his/her favorite subject was. Many said English and Social Studies. Some said Science, but very few said Mathematics. Since then, many of my students made “about me” videos the other day though and every one of them said mathematics was their favorite subject.

This week I finally gave away all the wonderful donations that I brought over from friends and family in America. Teacher Betty helped me identify the kids in the most need of shoes and clothes.  I also gave out a ton of pencils, sharpeners, colored pencils/crayons/markers, and classroom supplies. To say everyone was grateful would be an understatement. I wish the kids could say thank you in person to all the wonderful people who donated things. They send their love and gratitude.

Faith threw a part for me on Friday! I brought some balloons and pipe cleaners and underestimated what a hit those simple dollar store buys would be!  Teacher Betty and I cut the cake and we danced the afternoon away, despite the very muddy ground from a rainy morning. When it was time for gifts, I was completely blown away by the generosity of my friends.

My students and the other teachers presented me with beautiful earrings, pins, letters, candy, and more. I wanted to give everything back to them immediately. My time in Uganda was supposed to be me giving to them! And I knew a piece of candy would make any one of these kids 1,000 times happier than it could ever make me. I felt bad thinking about them giving something away when they had so little. But, as I learned when I was young, receiving a gift is just as important as giving one.

Even though I came to Uganda to give, I feel like I ended up receiving so much more. I was given respect and love from my incredible students. They taught me so much. Many of their families welcomed me into their homes and their lives. Those who had little gave me time and genuine answers to my questions. The amazing people I stayed with were so hospitable and went far beyond just accommodating me. Strangers greeted me and cared for me like I was a family member. The compassion I received here was truly incredible.

One particularly amazing thing happened to me this week. I usually take a boda boda (motorcycle) to school in the morning to save time. I’ve been told many times to be careful when riding a boda boda because the men who drive them are known to steal money and possessions.  Foreigners are the perfect target. As I was riding a boda boda to school on Tuesday, I was surprised to hear the voice of a driver behind me yelling “STOP!” When I looked back, the boda boda driver was holding my iPhone which had fallen out of my bag. He waited for me to come over and retrieve it. I was stunned.

That man could have driven and sold my phone for more money than he makes in a year. Nobody would have known and he could have benefitted greatly. But he didn’t. This incident was an incredible lesson for me to not judge people. Regardless of someone’s reputation or circumstance, people can always surprise you.

In my first few weeks in Uganda, I felt pretty useless. I didn’t feel like I was helping others and I realized that I was inconveniencing many people by coming in as an outsider. People had to explain things to me all the time and escort me everywhere. Many people asked for money and I began to wonder if that’s all people really needed. I was discouraged to say the least, imagining that the 12 weeks I carved out for helping wouldn’t do much at all. I’m so happy to say I was wrong. Time and love can go SO FAR!

As our party wrapped up on Friday, a few kids began to cry. I was concerned they were crying because they wanted more shirts, shoes, there weren’t enough balloons, they only got a small piece of cake, etc. But when I asked my friend Sumayiya why she was upset, she tearfully told me, “I don’t want you to go.” I gave her a hug and told her I would come back as soon as I can. She nodded and said “I know. But we’re going to miss you. Nobody has ever loved us like you.”  At this point, my tear ducts burst opened and we just stood there for a few minutes crying. I knew the kids liked me because I was the fun muzungu who brought them pencils and made them guacamole when they behaved well. But over the past few days, I’ve realized that no material thing I could give these kids would take away the sadness they felt about me leaving.

The last couple of days have been really sad. I had fun on Saturday, hanging out at Teacher Betty’s house with her friends and neighbors. And on Sunday I got to visit a church that meets in one of the classrooms at Faith. The fun I had with the kids would last for some minutes and then they’d start to get all sad and quiet as they realized I’m leaving. They don’t understand the difficulty in rescheduling a flight or that a kid can’t just ride to America in a suitcase (I’ve officially been asked that one over 100 times).  All they know is that I won’t be coming to see them anymore. I hate to think that my absence will affect people. I wish I could leave no trace and that people would be fine. But it’s been very clear to me that this will not be the case.

I thought that spending three months volunteering in Uganda would “get it out of my system” but as I leave, I realize my time here did the exact opposite.  The love I’ve seen, felt, and experienced in my three months here have changed my life.

“So what now?” you may be wondering. I’m wondering the same thing. While I am so excited to be reunited with family and friends at home, it’s been heart wrenching saying goodbye to so many dear friends here. It’s as if there’s been a water main break in my tear ducts these past few days. The goodbyes have been especially difficult because catching up with my friends here isn’t a simple phone call or quick drive away. I just pray I will be able to come back soon. I feel like there is still so much work left to do here.

I have learned SOOOO much during my time here. I had many eye opening experiences and impactful lessons. It’s going to be interesting to see how my life here will connect to my life back home and at school. Conditions are so different that I’m unsure of how I will be able to apply what I’ve learned.  And I’m sure there are still things I will be learning and realizing as I adjust to life back in the US.

My life has become so much simpler here. I’ve lived out of a suitcase, my only skin care product has been sunscreen and my hair care has been limited to daily use of 2-in-1.  I’ve cycled between five outfits and five meals. I’ve checked the internet only briefly every week due to limited connectivity. And I couldn’t be happier. I’ve learned just how much I can live without.

Before coming here, I never realized just how privileged I am simply because of where I was born and the amazing people I was raised by. I’ve never considered myself rich, but as I prepare to re-enter my life in America, I realize that I’m dripping with wealth. The term “broke college student” seems ironic. After spending time with people who have so much less, I feel responsible to somehow pass on what I’ve been blessed with.

I saw a number of charitable projects in action during my time here. While money can’t truly solve these problems, it can certainly help significantly (and it can be easier to give then time!). I’ve seen a variety of particularly impactful projects during my time here. A little money donated can go a long way over here and can truly change lives! I’d like to share a few with you in case you’re interested in contributing financially to any of them. I’d be happy to talk about them more with you in person.  Prayers for these causes are also greatly appreciated.

Let There Be Light International- benefits elders, HIV/AIDS victims, new mothers, and disabled members of the community by giving them a solar light. These lights are better for the environment, their users’ health, safety, and can save a lot of money. http://www.lettherebelightinternational.org

Dream Primary and Nursery School- started by Kathy Chism in Manlius. The school benefits children of prisoners and allows them to attend school without paying school fees. There are many ways you can help the school as a whole or you can sponsor an individual child. https://www.facebook.com/dreamchildsponsorship/?fref=ts

Child Sponsorship through KACCAD- you can support an orphan or disadvantaged child in Bulenga by paying his/her school fees. The cost depends on the school level but this can be really life changing for these kids. http://www.volunteerkaccad.org

Faith Children’s Foundation- supporting this school as a whole will allow for them to hire more teachers and have teachers with teaching degrees (currently the school’s only certified teacher is teacher betty). This school is in EXTREME need. I will be making a website to allow people to learn about the school and donate through KACCAD. It will also inform potential volunteers how to get connected. Stay tuned!

Lexander’s Youth Programs- my last blog post highlighted this incredible organization. I will share more information on how to support them on Facebook these next few weeks.

KACCAD/ABroaderView- if you’re interested in volunteering any amount of time in Bulenga, there are a variety of projects you can volunteer

I am about to board my flight to Dubai and I will be returning to New York tomorrow night! It’s going to be a big adjustment getting back to what used to be “normal” but now I realize is all so luxurious. I definitely have an overwhelming amount of things to be thankful for this thanksgiving.

I would like to thank everyone reading this for your incredible support leading up to and during my trip. I received so many generous donations to relieve the cost of this trip, which allowed me to use my money to help many people out during my time here. The encouragement I received from so many people when I was thinking about going on this trip was so helpful. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for that. The donations of school supplies and clothes will go so far. Finally, thank you for all the encouragement. The text messages, letters, and support meant so much. There were some tough days but having so much love from home helped me get through them all.

Thank you all for following my blog and reading my stories! It was really good to take some time to reflect every week and connect things over here to readers back home.

PLEASE ask my questions about my time in Bulenga and ask me to tell you stories and photos! I would love to share about my experiences with you whether it’s tomorrow or whenever you see me next!! Even if you don’t ask, I will probably end up talking about it anyways. I expect to be leaking Uganda stories for the next year and a half. At least. So prepare yourself!

Thank you all for supporting me on this incredible adventure. The blog is over for now but I’d love to open it back up for a return trip in the future J

Until then…..

Love,

Hannah

Esther and other students beyond excited to receive new a new toothbrush and toothpaste!

New shoes for Nico! He was running around in some very broken shoes!

Mercy loved her new sandals!

Jump ropes made for hours of fun!

Aisha getting creative with pipe cleaners!

What is a party without balloons!?

Cutting the cake with Teacher Betty! Such an honor to have received such a wonderful celebration.

Teacher Betty prepared a beautiful last supper for me in Uganda over the weekend. It was so delicious! Not pictured: I also ate some grasshoppers with the meal!!