Uganda: Kibanda

The children singing from Uganda 2013

Today was another heart warming distribution.  Every day is unique and special in its own way.  The crowd was exuberant as we arrived with cheers and clapping that made us feel like celebrities.  As we made our way toward the children they burst into song.  We found out that this song was a school anthem sung throughout Uganda.  The chorus goes like this:

We young women and men of Uganda.

Are marching along the path of Education

Singing and dancing with joy together

Uniting for a better Uganda

It was inspiring to hear the many voices of the children singing this patriotic song together.   

The drummers from Uganda 2013

 As we demonstrated the bedkit items we were treated to drumming, celebrating each item shown and a group of women spontaneously  stood up and started to dance.  We were totally amazed by this outpouring of appreciation.  The dancers ranged in age from younger moms to older grandmas. 

Women dancing from Uganda 2013

Many of the children at this distribution site had to travel a considerable distance.  As we were finishing the bedkit distribution we realized we were 50 children short.  We were told they were on their way and about 15 minutes later they came running up the lane to the site.  They had come approximately 10 kilometers and had left quite early that morning.  We were relieved that they were able to receive their bedkit.

Our location for this distribution was a primary school.  We were able to view some of the classrooms. Charts hung around the rooms consisted of basic number concept matching and vowel sounds just like we would see in a Canadian primary grade.  Resources in the classroom were in very short supply. 

School work from Uganda 2013

After our lunch, as we drove out the narrow dirt road from the distribution site we passed several groups of bedkit recipients waiting for a ride home.  When they saw our bus smiles and waves erupted. 

Waiting for a ride home from Uganda 2013

As this was our second last distribution, a feeling of sadness has started to take hold of the Ugandan Canadian team and our OVPs [Overseas Volunteer Partner] the ladies of the Innerwheel.

Team Uganda 2013
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