This morning Leslie took me out to one of her pet projects, it is run by a Rwandese man named Valance who has several school projects here in
When we arrived at the project I was immediately blown away at how awesome it was. I knew this was the place I would like to volunteer at and where I would like to donate a good amount of the money towards. Valance is a brilliant man who is unlike any other Uganda I’ve met. He had a vision and plans ahead. When he is planning a project he starts slowly with things he and the children can do hoping that one day someone will give them the money to finish the project. He told me that he starts early so that if someone comes along who wants to donate he is ready to go.
The school has a western school feel. They were donated 8 acres of land so they have spread out the classrooms and teachers living quarters. They even have a garden where they grow food for the teachers. School fees are minimal as most of the kids families can’t afford them, yet they get to go to an amazing school.
I spoke with Valance about what the greatest needs were and he told me they were trying to build another 2 classrooms because 2 classes were under a temporary structure and when it rained they couldn’t work. He had a full written proposal that he gave me which broke down the costs. He also mentioned that they needed doors and windows put on the existing classrooms so that people wouldn’t steel the school supplies and books. I told him that I would look everything over that night and that he should come by the guesthouse the next day and I would give him the money.
After the school visit we went for lunch in Biukawa and picked up a volunteer who is leaving early because she is sick and need surgery back home. No she did not catch anything here, but rather has an illness that flared up when she arrived.
In the afternoon Jimmy came over to the house and we decided to take all his new things to his new school so that we wouldn’t have to carry everything on Thursday when I drop him off. I asked if his aunt would like to come so that she could see the school and she agreed to join us. We labeled everything with his name and packed it up for our Mutatu ride to the school.
It was nice to have his aunt there because she could negotiate the price of the Mutatu. I paid 2500 per person last time only to find out that it was supposed to be 500. They love to rip off us white people here.
When we arrived at the school we took his aunt to the boys living quarters. As mentioned before it is very modest and I think she was a bit surprised. They man who looks after all the boys opened Jimmy’s case and started going through all the things we brought. He was just checking to make sure we had everything but he also looked a bit too excited about a few things. When he saw the soccer ball he thanked me over and over again for bringing the school one. I had to remind him that everything in the case belonged to Jimmy and that is was his to share if he wanted too.
They pulled a few things out of the case that were excess and decided to put them in storage. In theory it is good because Jimmy may just blow through all the pens and paper right away and not have any for the rest of the term, but I was also worried that we many never see them again. I had to again tell them that all of this was bought for Jimmy and that I expected that it not be given to any other students or get lost. I guess we’ll see how it all works out.
There was also an issue with beds when we got there. Initially they told me that they had lots of beds and that Jimmy would get his own bunk bed, the top to sleep on and the bottom to store his things. Well, when we got there they just shoved him in a bottom bunk where another kid was on top. There wasn’t even a mosquito net for them. I told the director that this wasn’t acceptable and they assured me that when we come back on Thursday he would have his own bed.
We finished the tour of the school then sat down with the director to discuss some details. When we asked Jimmy who should go with him to get his monthly ARV medication, he asked that his aunt take him. We all thought it was a great idea to keep his family involved. Plus then I wouldn’t have to worry about paying for transport to and from Kampala for him and an escort. I do have a feeling that his aunt is going to ask me for something though.
Josephus (the angel) spent some time talking with Jimmy’s aunt about treatment and what should be done. When they finished they promised to keep me posted on the progress he is having with the medication.
I also asked the director if I could leave a phone with Jimmy so that I could call and check up on him. I was advised not to because the other kids would try and steal it to sell for extra money. They told me that I could call their phones if I wanted to talk to him.
One the way home Jimmy’s aunt thanked me over and over and seemed to be very happy that he was getting this opportunity. I’m happy that everyone seems happy with this decision to send Jimmy to boarding school.
Jenn
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