TESS v2

AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY

Visit to Teso, Uganda, 28 November - 18 December 2006
by Ros Pearse

It was, quite simply, the best three weeks of my life. My first trip abroad for nearly 30 years and I couldn't have visited a more welcoming and friendlier place in the world.

My first views of Uganda were from the air. It looked very green with the odd scattering of huts, some with iron roofs but mostly thatch, and red-looking tracks.

The drive from Entebbe Airport to Kampala and beyond was an experience in itself, with literally hundreds of little huts lining the road with people trying to buy and sell whatever they could to feed and clothe their families, interspersed with chickens, goats and cattle tied up alongside, and an abundance of vehicles and bicycles all vying for position.

This carried on well into the late evening, the huts being lit by candles or lamps, and men, women and children walking between each trading post. We stayed in Soroti at what was called the medical centre although, as with some other buildings we came across during our stay, it had not been used for the purpose it was built and remained unoccupied due to lack of doctors, nurses and equipment but, more importantly, people being unable to afford to use it. Nothing is free in Uganda.

We spent our first few days visiting some of the sponsored students in their schools, seeing how they were, making sure they would be coming to the retreat, speaking to their head teachers. Viewing their classrooms was an eye-opener - concrete floors, old wooden desks and a blackboard - no carpets, painted walls or pictures.

The dormitories were no better - queues of two and three tiered bunk beds and tin trunks containing the girls' worldly possessions. We met many of Margaret's friends during our visit, all of whom were genuinely pleased and grateful to see us, each proudly providing us with refreshments.

We were invited to and attended an Ordination Service at Soroti Cathedral. It was packed with people inside and out and lasted 4¼ hours - apparently they can go on even longer. We visited a couple of TDT resettlement projects where goats, blankets, tools and mosquito nets had been provided to households although many more are still needed, and a project providing cattle supported financially by our German friends' Sunday school children.

We also visited displacement camps - simple mud and straw huts crammed together for safety but homes to thousands of men, women and children. Their delight at having visitors and generosity towards us with the provision of meals touched us all, particularly as they have so little themselves. The sight of queues of women and children waiting patiently for a small, simple piece of soap we had brought with us will always stay with me, as will the delight of the children seeing and playing with balloons for the first time, having their photographs taken and smiling at the images, and eating a Smartie, taking it out of their mouths to study it before popping it back in. It was quite wet at times and our vehicle became stuck in deep ruts on one track on the way back from one of the camps. We were getting nowhere trying to dig ourselves out but suddenly people started arriving along the track, stopped, and all helped to get us out. I wonder what would have happened back in England.

And so to the Retreat at Bethany Girls School, the main reason for our visit. Only a handful of the 170 sponsored students were unable to attend and it was wonderful to see all the students together. Although they had come from numerous schools, they instantly struck up friendships with each other, as if they had known each other for years. We started off with a day trip to Sipi Falls, a pretty waterfall that lies at an altitude of 1,770 metres on the footslopes of Mount Elgon. The students had read about this in their geography lessons but never thought they would actually visit it.

For the majority of them, this was their first ever visit out of the area and their excitement was palpable. They sang songs of praise throughout the journey by coach and minibuses. The disbelief on their faces when we arrived had to be seen to be believed. They had never seen hills or waterfalls before and expressed doubt as to how they could manage living in such an area, such a contrast to their own. One or two were even heard praying to God, asking for help getting them to the top. We all enjoyed a picnic before returning back to school.

The Retreat itself was hard work but rewarding for both the students and us. Sam, who organised it all so well, was exhausted by the end! They heard from speakers about different career options - engineering, lawyer, doctor, banking; learnt about avoiding corruption, bribery and negligence; peace-building, perhaps by starting clubs in their schools to resolve any problems; study skills to help them with learning and examinations; relationships, with themselves, God, family and friends, the natural environment and their country; peer counselling and anti-bullying skills, simple development projects such as new cooking stoves to help their families. A lot of time was spent in worship and prayer, the majority of which was spontaneously led by the girls themselves.

They wrote copious notes on what they heard but most of all they had fun, learning new games and puzzles such as memory games, I-Spy, Countdown, Sudoku; completing a bible scavenger hunt; designing posters on avoiding corruption and helping their environment; painting; writing short stories and poems (some of which we hope to publish); acting out their own plays, singing hymns and dancing. We gave them the opportunity to speak to us in private if they wanted - sadly, there wasn't enough time to see them all but they were all so grateful to their sponsors for providing them with funding for their education.

There were many requests from them for basic items that we all take for granted, such as clothing and soap. Many of them would love to hear from their sponsors and receive photographs and letters, which they so look forward to receiving. They all hoped the Retreat would be repeated this next year and last for two weeks instead of one!

There are so many things about Uganda that I will always remember - how friendly, happy and polite the people are, particularly the youngsters; the poverty and hardships faced by so many; meeting my sponsored girl, Imede Esther Barbara; Ugandan time, where time doesn't really matter at all.

And what has had the biggest impact on me? Witnessing how strong these young students' faith is in God. The majority have experienced so much sadness in their young lives, yet they remain cheerful and grateful for every little thing they receive, continually praising and thanking God at every opportunity. There is so much we could learn from them. It was, for me, an inspirational journey and one I hope to continue on my return in April.

( Ros did return in April, and now assists Margaret by undertaking some admin work)

Jenny's

As a sponsor, I had initially questioned the idea of a Retreat. Was it a bit over the top for Uganda with all its needs? But, as an only child, I remembered how much a camp had meant to me in enjoyment and friendship. Though none are only children, many of the sponsored girls are isolated by their circumstances and disadvantaged too. Surely, I reasoned, if it could be provided, they should have this opportunity. So I signed up to the idea and then took the next step and actually went with Margaret.

Was it worthwhile? Emphatically - yes. There were so many obvious benefits for the students.
It widened their experience: The excursion to Sipi Falls on Mt Elgon was a revelation. Although only some 60 miles away, most students had never seen the mountain and none had taken the road of hair-pins up. They marvelled at the deep ravine below the lower falls and contemplated the difficulties of cultivation on the steep slopes, so different from the flat land of Teso, as was the lush green vegetation and moist air. One girl summed it up at prayers the next morning: "Thank you, Lord, for showing us something we never thought we'd see".

They learnt new skills: Margaret had collected a wide range of puzzles, games and craft material - things not found in the schools, where traditional study is paramount. The students had great fun with these, but also began to realise that such activities are not a waste of time and frivolous (a common view), since they improve memory, numeracy, dexterity and language skills.

New friendships and bonds were made: Although from about 15 different schools, the students soon mixed and from their chatter, it was obvious many stories were being exchanged. The value of friendships made with school peers was brought home by the career talk of the lady bank manager. At 16, her father had died and her education came to an abrupt halt. She was placed with relatives who treated her as a servant. She was only rescued, after a long struggle, by the generosity of her former school friends, who helped her get to university. Orphans need such friendships.

They had time to talk and be listened to: Many students had anxieties and problems, stemming from both the past and present. The adults were available much of the time to listen and help where possible. School difficulties and basic needs could often be solved by the Education team and, as a nurse, I was able to sort out a number of health problems. In life's bigger picture of struggle, we could empathise.

The Retreat made the students feel worthwhile: First, by simply offering them the Retreat and secondly by providing generously for it. One example was that Sam had arranged for their meals to contain some meat or chicken - foods never eaten at school and rarely at home (and if so, only for men). Individually, the students felt valued when Margaret organised awards. Awards for progress, good letters and drawings for sponsors, leadership or service which, along with a competition for a story, poem or poster, allowed everyone to shine in one way or another.

Finally, for me, there was a special bonus. Jane, a student I sponsor, had, on paper, not been particularly inspiring, especially on the academic side, though I appreciated she was trying. When I met her, she was quite different! She was a trustworthy organiser who saw other people's needs and responded. She helped in many ways, often staying behind when others had left. I was really proud of her. So if your sponsored student seems to be performing less than well, he/she may have hidden talents like Jane.

PS From Margaret:
I spoke to them several times about Jesus' parable of the talents and reminded them that most of us are only given one or two talents. What matters is that we don't bury the talent we have been given (perhaps by failing to recognise it as being of value or having unrealistic expectations), but develop it and use it fully. This message was undermined by the doctor who spoke to them and said that if they decide they want to be a doctor, then (as she did) they need to tell God and pray and he will make it happen if they have enough faith! Many of those who are not academically bright have unrealistic dreams. We need to help them discover and discern and appreciate the gifts they have been given. Maybe some of you who sponsor less academically bright children can encourage them, when you write, from your own and your family's experience if it is relevant.