Have a little Faith

Today was another rewarding day. We traveled to N. Memorial Secondary School for our educational teaching. I think there was approximately 1600 students in attendance; ages 14-18. We decided to do our vision teaching, as we didn't get to really implement the teaching, just screening the other day. They seemed to enjoy our presentation, and swarmed us afterward. Boys will be teenage boys...if you catch my drift. We did end up exiting to our bus sooner than our 20 minute "fellowship" time.

Afterward, we traveled back to Buckley High School in Iganga. The girls were the ones who greeted us early last week, and they have been waiting for us to return! They remembered our names, and couldn't wait to hear our presentations. Our hand washing group did our presentation again, and all of the students just loved it! Afterward, we passed out these scarves that we collected, and they were so excited! We got lots of pictures with all of the scarves tied to their heads. They also sang to us, which is a huge sign of love and appreciation in the culture here. We got to talk to the children, and a few of the ones from last week came right up to me; Sarah and Faith. We exchanged contact information, got a few pictures and then we had to go to lunch prepared by the Headmistress Florence, who is just one of the nicest people that we have met. We also got to see some of the classrooms, including the P1 (similar to our grade 1), deaf classroom and then the classroom for the deaf and blind. The deaf and blind children make wonderful beaded necklaces, purses from banana leaves and baskets, too. I bought a beaded necklace, that is really pretty.

When we boarded the bus, my professor handed me a little envelope which said "From Faith To Emily". Enclosed is a touching letter, which really made my day. It reads:

Dear
Emily hopes you are fine the main aim of writing this letter is to thank u in what you have done to us and this is my life. Me my names are Faith-oranga and I stay in Kenya but I came to school in Uganda and I was born in 1998 and I have 12 yrs. My happy birthday is always on 25th April. I wish you nice days in US where you stay. I wish you take me to be your friend. but I am know your best friend. Bye bye.

Yours faithfuly
Faith-oranga

I am in primary seven.

I will have to write her when I am back in the US, and send her a picture of me as well. Maybe we will be pen pals for a lifetime. I was the only one to get a thank you note, out of all of the students from the US and from BU. I really feel a connection to the children here...All of my experience with the children here has been the highlight of my trip.

Tomorrow I will be assisting the NRP teaching at the hospital with my two instructors; I am excited and hopeful that this education will really stick with the midwives and nurses here.

Well, I miss you all....and will see you in just over one week!

PS: to EB, I took your book Change of Heart to Africa, and one of the girls here borrowed it. There was a slight accident today, so she will just give me money to replace it. I hope that it is okay......