My time in Lira was incredible and much too short! This year, I had an opportunity to spend more time with the students especially since I was able to organize a music group after school. Jasper- one of the students who I became very fond of last year- told me that his uncle would like for me to come to their village and meet the rest of the family. So I walked over with Jasper to meet his aunt, uncle,two grandmothers, and his two older brothers (who have not finished school because they could not pay their fees; they spend their time digging (farming) around their village and neighbouring villages to make some extra money for the family). I was really taken aback by their hospitality and genuine happiness to meet me.
Last year, I asked Jasper if he had paid for his school fees for his senior 3 year. He mentioned that his uncle Patrick works at three different schools because the pay is very poor and that is the only way he can help keep at least Jasper in school. Since Patrick was slowly paying off Jasper's fees whenever he received some money, at the time, Jasper "only" had 10 000 ush (five dollars) left to pay. I decided to surprise Jasper and I paid for his remaining school fees. When Jasper ran home to tell his uncle I had paid for him, I unexpectedly received a letter of gratitude and blessings for my entire family from Jaspers family! So this year, when they found out I had come back to Lira, they wanted to meet me and thank me personally. We sat around and chatted and I took some snaps (photos) with them.
I need to mention that Jasper is such a humble and sweet kid...there is such an innocence about him you can practically see a light shining from him! At one point, Jasper pulled me aside and showed me a tiny plot of land beside their garden with a few weeds growing out of it. He pointed to the plot of land and quietly told me that his mother was buried there, that he only knew her for one and a half years, and that since we have become close over the last year, he now thinks of me as his "mother" because I have shown him that I care about him. I couldn't control the tears at this point- I thought of my mothers own recent passing, I thought about how this kid was giving me way too much credit for a tiny thing I did and at that moment I felt how much love he had for me as well. HE was comforting ME! I realized how lucky I am to have known my beautiful mother for thirty one years of my life, how lucky I am to have family and friends in my life who care about me, and how lucky I am for having so much of everything and more in my life!
My time with Jaspers family ended with a lovely traditional Ugandan meal they had prepared for me (no matter how little people may have here, I find they are always willing to share with others) and they saw me off with flowers and fresh fruit!
I had to say no to the whole pineapple they offered for me to take. I had no place to put it and no free hands to carry it!
On the last day of our time in Lira, the students had a "good-bye" assembly for us. Once again, they performed songs, traditional dances and recited poetry for the volunteers.
My music group also performed songs for the school (I'll have to post my video of "One Love"; I have found Uganda's next reggae star!)
As a surprise to the students, all us volunteers decided to perform our own song and dance for the whole school. You would be impressed with our version of "the lion sleeps tonight"- again, I'll try to post the video! Calvin...you made a great lion buddy!
Just as last year...I'm really going to miss these kids :(
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