Bukeeka

Wow, what an incredible day. I am not sure how to put words to what I experienced today, although my pictures may open a small window to the world I saw. We went to Bukeeka, which was about a 20 minute bus ride from Jinja. Loaded once again with army green duffels, six Mzungu women tottered on the back of boda bodas to the bus station. I think we must be quite a sight and stick out like sore thumbs, although the whole visual experience is entertaining for the onlookers, I am sure.
We arrived in the village of Bukeeka, which from the road looks not unlike any other village we passed along the way. Children in ragged T-shirts playing in two and threes under blooming plumeria trees, tethered goats contentedly chewing their cud, barefoot mammas stirring huge pots of porridge while groups of men whittle away at sticks and talk story. As we departed from the bus, the children aroused from their watch posts and ran up to us, singing in unison, “Hello Mzungu how are you? Mzungu, mzungo! How are you?” We greeted them back, saying “I am fine, how are you?”
Pam said that we had a short walk up the hill to the school. Robert (one of the men that had been denied a visa a week ago) and his wife, Sarah, felt a strong leading from the Lord to pursue building the Kingdom of God in this predominately Islamic village named Bukeeka back in 2004. He gave them vision and provision and they began Fountain of Hope School, which we were visiting today.
Being Americans, we talked rather loudly as we strolled up the hill. Even before we could see our destination, we could hear the school children’s voices ringing out in expectation of our coming. Our voices had given us away even before they could see us. The gate was already lined with children that had escaped the classrooom to greet us. “Hello mzungu, hello mzungo!!!” It was a delightful welcoming party, their bright smiles and passionate waving would warm even the hardest heart. I was surprised though, that walking through the gate they were not rude or pushy in their effort to be near to us, granted there were only a few of them and their teachers were standing near by. We had obviously interrupted class time, but Sarah graciously greeted us and took us to a back room to unload our goodies. She explained that Fountain of Hope is currently divided into two different locations in Bukeeka. The younger ages were being taught at this lower location that they are renting and the teenagers were up the road at the new facility that is under construction and would eventually house the entire school.
This lower “campus” was basically a brick barn with stalls as classrooms. Sarah took us to each class and we introduced ourselves and shared briefly with each class. Then we passed out small gifts (bracelets, sweets, stickers) to each student. They were able to contain their bridled excitement until the camera was pulled out. They love the camera!!!! We would snap their picture and display the digital result. They giggled and shrieked in delight and would reposture themselves in an effort to be in yet another frame in front of my camera. Me, still being a newcomer to Africa, think that all Africans look alike (at least until you get to know them), and probably got multiple pictures of the exact same children. At least we had fun…….
When we finished at the lower school, we trekked over half a mile up the hill to the new school which is still under construction. The journey of getting there was half the fun. So many beautiful sights, and it was an absolute adventure for all of us. We greeted people along the way and marveled at the rich colors and lush hues of creation manifesting all around us. The sweltering heat didn’t even dampen our spirits.
Again, the children heard us coming before we had actually arrived. They were on a break and were free to run down and meet us. This older group was a bit more reserved in their verbal greeting, although their eyes watched our every move and nothing escaped their close observation. Rows of brilliant white teeth glowed against ebony skin as we reached out our hands to touch theirs. All facades of reservation washed away as we pulled out cameras and snapped photos for their inspection.
We were introduced to Joseph, the headmaster of the school and he gave us a tour of the expanding grounds. There are two finished buildings of classrooms - composed of crisp yellow wooden planks and gleaming stainless steel hinges and tin roofs. There is another building still under construction.
Once break was over the children had been corralled back within the classrooms, we were officially introduced to each class and learned more about the educational system in Uganda. I was astounded to learn that the last two years of “high school” started at 5am and ended at 10pm, 6 days a week! This is all in preparation for them to sit for their final exam which determines if they graduate.
Fountain of Hope School started with 67 students but has grown to 400 in only 3 years. It has been a great blessing to the Bukeeka village. In addition to having an amazing school, Fountain of Hope is in the process of digging a well that will supply water to the upper portion of Bukeeka. Right now, all the water has to be hauled over ½ a mile from the main village by the road. They also want to place a milk cow and laying chickens at the school and even stock a small store as a resource both to the village and to teach the children practical agriculture, farming, and business skills.
Walking back down to the main village, my heart was filled with a type of satisfaction I have seldom experienced. I had not “done” anything or performed some great task, but I had given part of my heart to these children and may never get it back...