A Service of Thanksgiving
Today we had the honour to attend a wonderful celebration for the Buikwe Senior Secondary School. We gathered after breakfast at the local church with all the secondary school staff, students, parents, and INUG staff. The reason we gathered was simple – the students have been performing excellently on recent exams and INUG wanted to recognize their success!
The program included wonderful worship led by students, a motivating speech by Reverend Justus, summaries of student successes and praise for teachers by Headmaster Paul, and stories from many teachers and students. We were honoured to participate in such a joyful celebration of the school’s successes!! I couldn’t help but remember that this school has been prayerfully supported by CrossRoads and we are seeing the fruit of our investment.
An Education Success Story: Leticia
The outstanding highlight of the entire ceremony was when a student named Leticia shared her story. Not only did she perform exceptionally on the national exams, but her exam scores were higher than almost everyone in the district, achieving a grade level high enough to attend law school, which she fully intends on doing!
She shared boldly about her experience trying to get a good education – the challenges raising school fees, the determination it takes to achieve high scores, the obstacles that young girls face, and a message for all students to “press on”.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
After the morning program was complete, we jumped in the van with the WASH team (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).
This program is supported by INUK and we got an overview of all their activities, such as bore holes (ground water wells), latrines (washrooms), handwashing stations, and hygiene programs.
Vocational School Tour
We wrapped up the day by visiting the Hope Vocational School to see the sewing program and hairdressing. Followed by a short visit to the Makonge Primary School where we attended an assembly of lovely smiling children.
It was a very full day seeing some of the great things that God is doing through INUG. We are so grateful for our partnership. - Adam
But when you fast anoint your head and wash your face that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Heavenly Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18
As I read this verse first thing in the morning, somewhat fatigued, I realize that my being tired needs to be set aside and live this day for the LORD. And in that space I was so happy as our team joined the secondary school for a thanksgiving service. The students are thankful for the school, their teachers, their exam marks; teachers thankful for being sustained, for a school invested in the students, and for the new teachers dormitories; and for a community thankful for hopeful futures for their children.
We were once again able to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones from the secondary school.
We then visited WASH sites, seeing some of their projects; bore holes for fresh water so that people don’t have to walk 2-3km for water each day, new pit toilets in the communities and at schools, and water capturing from the roof of the school. We learned what an important difference these projects make, one community at a time.
These days can be long, hot, and travelling many miles over roads not fit for a 4x4. But by God’s grace, I was able to be kind, patient, loving, and celebrate the successes we got to see today. - Brenda
