Royal Hope Academy

Monday, July 23

The day began with breakfast at the hotel.  The hotel promised free wifi (most of them did), but it was sketchy at best so I got a very brief facetime with the family.

We then boarded the bus and headed to My Father's House and  the Royal Hope Academy.  A school run by a young American women who also provides a home for several of its orphaned students.  Once again we were mobbed as we got off the bus and dragged to the school "auditorium."  This consisted of a large room, opened on the sides and covered with a tin roof.  It also serves as a church on the weekend.

The students put on a show for us consisting mostly of the choirs singing.  In Uganda all singing includes movement.  I am struck by the fact that many of the children's uniforms are ripped and/or don't really fit, yet no one seems self-conscious about it.  Always there is someone trying to climb on your lap.  After several presentations, we are told to just hang out with the kids until lunch.

One of the girls takes me on a tour of the school.  There are several block rooms completely empty because the "desks" were used in the "auditorium.  The rooms have a few hand-made posters on the wall and a well-used chalkboard.  I saw no signs of any books at all.  There is no electricity and just two windows to allow light to come in.  The girls would show off that they could read the information of the posters.  I have no idea how they are able to educate their kids without any supplies, and yet they are learning.

After lunch, we break up into groups.  My group has planned a Bible story and craft.  Little did we know that we would be meeting outside on the grass.  It is hard to do colorful hand prints on the grass.  The picture I had in my head of how it would go, was nothing like the reality of what we faced.  The kids did not complain, but I felt very inadequate.  The two teachers we had to help us with the 50-60 kids in our group, teach under these conditions everyday.  My hat goes off to them.  Some of the team did sports with the kids.  Liz saved the day when she suggested Duck, Duck, Goose after other activities were finished.

The missing luggage arrived just in time to leave the donated school supplies and children's medicine they so desperately need.  Thank you to all who gave.  It was just beginning to rain as we loaded back on to the bus.  The children were sad to see us go.  The dirt roads we came in on were quickly turning to mud, but our incredible bus driver was somehow able to get us back to the hotel.

After dinner, George from Ekubu ministries came to share his story of how he found his American wife and how the ministry began.  The goal of his ministry is to help villages become self-sufficient.  They help them establish a medical clinic, a school, and to grow enough food to support their needs.  We learned that the average yearly salary for many in Uganda is $1,000.  Can you imagine?

He also shared some miraculous stories of God's provision.  He and his wife have adopted several children and live day-by-day on dependence of God to take care of their needs.  It is a common theme everywhere we go.