Visitation Day

Imagine finishing elementary school and being told by your parents that after the summer holiday you were to pack you belongings and all your bedding because you are being sent to boarding school for your whole high school experience.

If you are anything like me, this might seem like a punishment- like for the bullies at school that need to be sent to boot camp to get straightened out or for the rich Hollywood type. But in Uganda, secondary boarding schools are a cultural norm. Therefore, in keeping with true African style, the oldest 10 children of LCH began boarding schools in Kampala and Mbale in the middle of February.

Last Sunday was the first Visitation Day for our Senior 1 students in Kampala. Having left Mbale very early to make our 4 hour journey to the capital city, we stopped along the way to pick up a picnic lunch of chicken and chips and buy some much craved for goodies like bread and butter, sugar, cookies, and soda.

As we reached the school, there was sea of dark bodies with bright green and red shirts. We met up with our students' main class teacher and he helped us to find them. Relaxing under the mango tree with Auntie Christine, Jarod, Paul, and Fiona, we spotted Sylvia running toward us (below on left). With tears rolling down her cheeks she hugged us. But we were concerned. "Sylvia, why are you crying? Are you sick?" She shook her head but still wouldn't answer. Then I asked her, "Are these tears of sadness or of joy?" She replied joy. So sweet. She was just happy to see us. Slowly the other students found us and it was a sweet reunion.

They shared many stories about the new friends they had made, how life in secondary school is, how their teachers are strict but good, and about their daily schedule and weekend fun. Paul and Fiona also shared about what is happening at LCH Primary School and how how they elected a new head boy and girl for the school.

The girl then showed us their dormitory. It is basically a huge room with multiple triple layer bunk beds. Though they could choose anywhere to sleep, our girls have two bunks right next to each other. (The boys said they are on opposite sides of the dorm.)

S1 students in Kampala: Emmo O, Sylvia L, Ritah K, Zulufa N, Naster C, Ivan K

It was a wonderful day. Being my first real experience with Visitation Day, I had a lot to learn and it was fun seeing the children take the initiative to show me different things around their school or remind me that I had not yet seen the results of their monthly tests. But now with a little experience under my belt, I am ready for the next "V day".

The students get first term holidays on April 20. Although I am glad they are studying hard, it is weird not having them at LCH. This was the class that I was closest to, seeing as they were the oldest and I can relate to them better, but also because when I first arrived at LCH in 2007 their teacher went for maternity leave and they had no teacher to fill in, so I did. They were in P4 then. Now my babies are growing up :) I think I know a little how parents feel now.

Back in Uganda

Proudly showing off the rice that came from our farming project in Namajje.
We harvested 4 sacks of rice hulls (while the children said will make 2 bags of pure rice).

I arrived in Mbale on March 3, grateful that none of my luggage (aka wonderful treasures from America) got lost in transition. I am so glad to be back. And luckily, today was a public holiday so I got to play with the kids all day (instead of them being at school).


But God was so faithful during my time in America. One of my prayers was that He would give me new opportunities to share what He is doing at LCH. And that He did. I was interviewed by a reporter of the newspaper in Midland, Texas. Feel free to click on the article linked below.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/life/faith/article_3f468433-512c-50d8-a436-110dcff7b210.html

(In the printed copy, there are 2 wonderful photos of me and the children)

I look forward to sharing more about my life and the life of the children at LCH. Thank you for praying for us.

Natalie's Newsletter for 2010

2010 in Review at LCH:

God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. And that is His nature!

JANUARY: The children enjoyed their long holiday before beginning a new year at school. Uganda was one of the few countries that got to see this solar eclipse.

FEBRUARY: A new school year began. But this year, Lulwanda Children’s Home Primary School received its official national registration and we were able to enroll 30 children from the community. We also had our annual “back to school” football match of Teachers versus kids.

                      

                                                    

MARCH: LCHPS participated in sub-county and district level track and field competitions. We also rejoiced in the arrival of the container filled with desks and other school supplies.

APRIL: After participation at the local level, two of our students qualified for the Mbale team to represent town at national level. This year nationals were held in Mbale, so many of our student were able to attend and cheer their schoolmates on. In other news, our clinical officer, Pamela, had her introduction ceremony.

And the torrential rains hit Bududa district, causing a massive mudslide and forcing many from their homes. Our LCH children took the initiative to collect some of their clothing to donate to the victims of the mudslide. We took a trip there to hand deliver the items and see the destruction for ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

MAY: This month ended Term 1, where we celebrated with the top students in each class by taking them to Sipi Falls. Also, the P5 class were taken on an outing to go swimming at one of the hotels in Mbale.

                        

                                                       

JUNE: Our nursery teacher, Sylvia, got married and some of our children performed at the reception. They were definitely a hit among the guests. Also, a few children escorted an American team to a local babies’ orphanage where they were able to play with these little ones.

                               

                      

JULY: Many of our friends from America come to visit us during the summer. We love spending time with our sponsors and meeting new friends. Thank you for coming and loving on us!!!

AUGUST: The second term of school closed at the end of this month, so we were busy preparing for examinations. LCH also was selected by a local bank for their “Give back to the community” campaign. We also had one of our students, Kamadi, qualify for the Mbale football team that would play in the national competition.

                       

                                                   

SEPTEMBER: Back to school again. And our friend, Betty, qualified for a surgery to help loosen some of her muscles so that she could walk a little easier. Praise God for a great success and healing. Betty is able to take steps- one foot in front of the other- for the first time in her life!!

OCTOBER: Still in school. But we had a wonderful time celebrating with our driver, Moses, at his wedding. We even had another opportunity to perform.

                                 

                           

NOVEMBER: The day had come for the P7 students to sit for national exiting exam that determines whether they would get into secondary school. Teachers and students spent so many extra hours preparing and reviewing everything that was taught in Primary school. After the exam, we celebrated all their hard work with a wonderful day of swimming and eating. In addition, this month construction began on our new girls hostel that will be the new home for our 20 oldest girls.

DECEMBER: What a busy month! Lulwanda celebrated it’s 6th year of operation with a grand party. We also had a graduation ceremony for our nursery students who will be entering primary school. The P5 and P7 class participated in a wonderful seminar about what God says about sex and why it is good to save sex until marriage. December also brought the closing of our school year, but before we could let the students go, all of the students went on an educational tour. The older classes visited Kakira Sugar Works and Confectioners and came out more informed and hyped up on sugar . The younger classes traveled up the mountain to Sipi Falls where they played in the cave, water, and hiked to the top of the falls.

                                     

                         

                        

PRAISES & PRAYERS

* Praise the Lord: The results from the P7 national examination are in and our students did exceptionally well. They are all enrolled in a secondary boarding school and eagerly await for their first day.

* Praise the Lord: The new girls hostel is almost complete (photo taken in December)- meaning that in the next month we will be moving our oldest girls into the hostel, therefore making room for TWENTY new little girls to join the family of Lulwanda.

Please pray or God’s perfect selection of the orphans in the greatest need (only God knows) and for their transition into the home and our current children’s adjustment to having new siblings.

* PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS are set to be held on Feb. 18. Please pray peace over the nation of Uganda and that there would be a fair election. Pray for peace and acceptance for whatever the outcome of the election may be.