Dreaming at Blessed Hope Champions Academy

By Jennifer Wilson

Dreams were the theme of the day!  It’s been a dream of mine to visit and serve the people of Uganda for many years.  When I was given the opportunity to come to Uganda with Fields of Dreams Uganda, I jumped at the chance.  After months of preparation and anticipation, today my dream came true!  When we arrived at Blessed Hope Champions Academy, the children of Blessed Hope lined the driveway cheering, clapping, and singing.  Walking up that path and feeling their hands grasp tightly to mine was overwhelming.  The children would each greet us with the most simple and beautiful greeting I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing, “You are most welcome.”  It’s the addition of that one simple word that tugs at my heart…”most”.  The people of Uganda are truly the most welcoming people I have ever met.

The children and staff at Blessed Hope welcomed us with an assembly to celebrate the ground breaking on the new soccer field and the beginning of the Dreams Plans.  The Blessed Hope choir performed for us, and we were able to present the school with the gifts we brought.  These gifts included the school supplies donated by the students and families at my school, Mohawk Elementary.  Such a treat to connect two schools across a big, wide ocean!  The children and Ugandan staff with Fields of Dreams had their own dream fulfilled with the addition of the new field.  The children’s excitement regarding this new place to practice and play their favorite sport was contagious. During the ground breaking, they eagerly gathered around the bulldozer and clapped with glee when the ribbon was cut.  Many of the local community leaders attended the ceremony and expressed their gratitude.  The new field will benefit not only Blessed Hope, but the community surrounding this amazing school.  

Dreams Plan was the name of the game in the afternoon.  The entire Dreams Team sat down with students in the P7 class, the oldest class at Blessed Hope.  I had the opportunity to work with Fatuma as she completed her Dreams Plan.  As we worked together, Fatuma told me about her family, and we discussed her goals and plans for her future.  While Fatuma completed each portion of the plan, a theme began to emerge.  Fatuma’s greatest interests were in the areas of helping others and the arts, and eventually she wrote down her goal to become a doctor or nurse with a little art on the side.  I felt so blessed to share this experience with Fatuma and look forward to working with more of the children at our partner schools over the next few days.

Dreams…a new field for Blessed Hope Champions Academy, the Blessed Hope students beginning their Dreams Plan, and my first (of hopefully many) visits to Uganda. I cannot believe my heart is so full after only one day.  Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa because of Uganda’s beauty.  I think it might be because the people have such beautiful hearts.