I went to St. Joseph Nsambya Girls Primary School today because the Just Like My Child Scholarship Recipients have completed their exams and are free for the holiday until mid September. I had not been on the school compound for 30 seconds when Nalubombwe Josephine ran to me with Namata Josephine running close behind to greet me with big hugs and smiles. I definitely stand out being the only white person to regularly visit the school. Nalubombwe was insistent on getting her holiday started so she marched us towards the necessary faculty that would help us tie up all of the loose ends for their release. Namata took my hand in hers as we walked together to first see Nalubombwe's teacher. He was very pleased to report that Nalubombwe is doing a great job! He is incredibly impressed with her improvement and commented on how rare it is to see a child move from division 4 to division 2 in such a short period of time. The teacher is convinced that she has been studying very hard and is without question serious about her education. I hugged Nalubombwe and told her how very proud I was of her hard work. She beamed with delight at my encouraging remarks. Nalubombwe Josephine has proven that she has the drive to make her dreams come true. It was now time to visit with Namata’s teacher, who reported that she has improved over the school year and that they expect her to continue in this manner. I know with all that I am that Namata is a leading light. Although she excels in school and has greatly improved her scores her mild manner keeps her under the teacher’s radar. It’s only a matter of time before she blows them out of the water. Namata gives me the impression that she is a mature adult confined to a small girl’s role. The fact that she is a double orphan, who was raised by her very old grandmother has probably lent to this disposition. She is calm, reserved and mild mannered. The other girl’s seem to look to her as a maternal figure. She is always the one to report to me any issues that I should know about. Namata never tugs with excitement at my skirt like the others trying to lead me to this teacher or that. Instead she waits patiently until it’s time for me to talk with her teachers. I hugged her and thanked her for all of her hard work. She gave me her usual quiet smile.
(Left: Namata Josephine Right: Nalubombwe Josephine)
Veronica ran to greet me the moment she realized I had arrived. She hugged me and curtsied in her usual shy fashion with eyes to the ground. She eagerly led me to her teacher, who had nothing but good praises for her. Apparently she is very vocal in class and has become more confident in her own abilities with time. I would really love to be a fly on the wall of her classroom so that I could see a more empowered version of Veronica, who always carries herself in such a timid manner in my presence. I’m confident that will change as we continue to get to know one another. Veronica’s teachers are very impressed with the great strides that she has made. They commented on how they literally see her improving and growing with each new day. Her marks are an obvious reflection of that observation. It’s clear that Veronica has what it takes to succeed academically. She flashed me an unforgettable smile when I expressed to her how proud I was of her hard work.(Nankubuge Veronica)
Nyangoma Rachael was nowhere to be seen when I first arrived. I asked Namata where she was several times, but she said she didn’t know. I found it strange because she is usually the first to run and greet me when I come for visits. It wasn’t until I was finished talking with all of the other girls’ teachers and had signed them out with their matrons that Nyangoma made an appearance. She ran to hug me as usual, but instead of showing me her characteristic smile she covered her face with both of her hands. I glanced towards Namata with a look of perplexity. She interpreted my expression and told me in a whisper that Nyangoma was ashamed of her marks and that she was worried that she was going to be in trouble for doing so poorly on her exams. Namata led me to the teacher, who is very concerned about Nyangoma’s academic performance. She commented that Nyangoma is a very social and popular girl, but that she has trouble sitting still and focusing on her work. Her teacher pointed out how dramatically her marks have lowered throughout the school year. She suggested that Nyangoma study and review over the holiday so that she might be caught up by the time she returns for the last term of the school year. Nyangoma’s teacher is fairly certain at this stage that she will have to be retained in P2 again next year. My impression of the situation is that Nyangoma was able to start off the year with ease, but as time went on and the work became more challenging she was unable to keep up with the other children in her class due to the fact that she comes from such a poor village and therefore lacks important foundations that she should of gotten in primary one. (Nyangoma Rachael)
After signing Nyangoma out with her matron, we packed up the vehicle and headed for St. Peters Primary School to pick up Kiberu William. He was thrilled to see me and clearly excited to start enjoying his break from school. I first greeted his teacher, who was warm and welcoming. She showed me William’s high marks in comparison to all of the other children in her records book. He is currently in 12th position out of 102 pupils. She pointed out to me that all of the children struggled with the Science exam and admitted that it was likely her fault that they weren’t fully prepared for it. She is extremely impressed with William and exclaimed that he is one of her brightest pupil’s and a joy to have in class. She gave me a holiday packet to send home with William so that he could prepare for next term. She advised William that he should complete just one page of homework per day. She wants to be sure that he spends his holiday relaxing and not studying too hard.(Kiberu William)
We arrived in Luwero to find Nyangoma’s mother waiting for us. Sister Ernestine Akulu translated as I counseled Nyangoma’s mother about the importance of helping Nyangoma to divide her holiday time well. She should have time for working on homework, but also have time for play and relaxation. We talked about some of the issues that Nyangoma is having in school and the need for Nyangoma and her mother to take this opportunity seriously. She was very receptive and assured me that she would support and encourage her daughter’s education. William’s mother was also eagerly awaiting his arrival. She was in a hurry to get William home so they could catch up after so much time apart. We set up a meeting to go over Williams marks and pass along the advice from his teacher about homework.(Nyangoma Rachael's mother, Florence)
The remaining children were loaded into the vehicle once more to be taken to their homes. A meeting was then planned to take place in kikoiiro later in the week to go over marks and counsel the scholarship recipient’s guardians.
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