March Forward

Where has the time gone? Long school holidays in Uganda lasted from late November until early February. Suddenly it’s mid-March and the first term is already half way through. With a lot going on, it’s definitely time for some new news. But first, a quick recap to January.

As predicted, the new term started painfully slowly, due to uncertainty & instability caused by the Ugandan elections. But over the last few weeks, students have been returning, by boda, bicycle, taxi and on foot – large groups of wide-eyed S1s, fresh out of primary school, droves of 'old' students returning, plus this week, new S5s, ready for the challenge of A’ levels. Charles expects the school to be full by Term Two in May.

‘Our' Term began with a great clutch of hardworking & entertaining visitors, who were a welcome distraction in the first few, quiet weeks of school. Having said that, they were not idle.

Chris and Ed are the instigators and brains behind the newly installed solar energy system, which is the first in Luwero District, the first in Uganda, the first of its kind in Africa  (which is a continent, not a country of course!)  This is a truly innovative project, deserving a separate article of its own. Needless to say, the super solar is already making a huge difference to school life & activities – more details to follow.

The rest of the visitors were a familiar looking bunch, (being real-life family members), were treated to the whole 'ServeDirect' experience: how to carry heavy bags of books to Uganda, endless introductions & greetings, the Charles story, classroom tours, literacy lessons, school assemblies, coffee appreciation, the high-energy Sunday service, a Namirembe cathedral visit and a spot of wildlife spotting, via a Gulu library lesson or two. We know how to treat exhaust our guests very well!

In other stunning news, Jerry is the proud holder of a new work permit, an essential document in order to carry out any NGO work in Uganda. After a year of waiting and the inevitable delay in the sticky admin pipeline, he was summoned to the Department of Home Affairs & Immigration to collect it. What a relief. Another good result during this term, worthy of a big thumbs up!