It always amazes me to sit in on classes taking place at our primary (elementary) schools in Uganda. Today I had the opportunity to observe the P4 & P7 classes who were studying science & health. As the P4 classes went through questions that will be on their exams next week, I found myself baffled at not knowing a majority of the answers. Though I've been out of high school for more than 10 years, you'd think something would have stuck about photosynthesis! The children are eager to learn & almost every hand was raised when a teacher asked a question. My brother is a middle school teacher and I wish he was shown the same respect these students show their teachers. One day I hope he can experience the classrooms of Uganda!
After classroom observations the boys were trained to be men of integrity. Last year when the Fields of Dreams team handed out hygiene kits to the girls at our partner schools we asked the ladies what some of their greatest struggles are as a young woman living in Uganda. Slightly saddened and shocked at the response, their greatest fears had to do with defilement & rape. These girls are between the ages of 10 & 14 years old. FoDU wants to help make an impact to change the next generation of Ugandans so these women don't have to grow up living in fear of what will happen to them in the future. During integrity training we spoke about what it meant to be intelligent, non judgmental, in charge of ones emotions, trust worthy & other characteristics of being a man of integrity. The training time with the boys ended with each of them looking into a mirror shouting, "I AM A MAN OF INTEGRITY!!!" Then they received a bracelet that reminds them of that saying.
Some of the female FoDU team members were able to have discussions with the girls about being honored & dignified. We ended our time together making up a song that said "Girls of integrity are brave... strong ... & honored." The Head Teacher, Aunt Rose described to us what it's like to grow up as a young Ugandan woman to the point of marriage....though our cultures are similar, they are drastically different. It was somehow difficult to hear that some girls are married off at a young age, but encouraging to know that the efforts of Fields of Dreams Uganda is empowering these young people to dream of a brighter future & know the difference of right & wrong. Though FoDU is mostly a soccer organization, they go to great lengths ensuring their footballers are more than just athletes. They are role models, history makers & people who are going to make a positive impact in their community, culture & world. I was highly encouraged today by the maturity of the young people of Uganda. Hope is a basic need & I've seen hope shared through our team, the FoDU staff & people I've encountered since arriving in the Pearl of Africa. My hope is for you to experience this greatness one day!
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