The Gift of Education

The following letter was written to S.O.U.L.’s CEO and Co-Founder, Brooke Stern, from one of the university students we sponsor.

Hi Brooke,

How are YOU and every thing you’re doing?  I know you’re spending so many sleepless nights working so much for S.O.U.L. so on that note please allow me to say that THANK YOU so much.
So, Mama Africa, every one is missing you here in Bujagali.  I got this modem from a friend and that's why I have decided to wake up this early morning to write to you before you go to bed.

Really I do not know how much I can thank you for the good things you have done for me and for my family so far. I together with my family are indeed so much happy ‘cause when I remember the situations I was passing through in order for me to get my school fees, indeed, I know I could not have made it to the university. Brooke, I only wish you the best for your life.

I don't have money but you deserve something so much better.  I will at least make sure that I do something small, not as a return for the tuition but for just appreciating.

I know that money given as school fees is so much more valuable than any other money simply because it is what makes up one's future.

I PROMISE I WILL NEVER FORGET S.O.U.L. AND I WILL NEVER LEAVE S.O.U.L.!
LONG LIVE S.O.U.L. LONG LIVE BROOKE AND LONG LIVE EVERY ONE WORKING HARD TO SEE THAT S.O.U.L. GOES AHEAD!

By: Richard, S.O.U.L.-sponsored university student

One Month in Bujagali

I arrived in Bujagali with Tom, another volunteer from the UK, and Nicolas, our driver.  We were greeted by dozens of S.O.U.L. pre-primary students, who sang and danced for us. After meeting the S.O.U.L. staff and getting a brief tour of the S.O.U.L. Shack, we walked down the village road to meet our host families. I immediately fell in love with Sal and Mama Musa and their children. They welcomed me into their home and made me feel like part of the family.

The next morning (and every morning in Bujagali), I awoke to a crowing rooster and the sounds of Mama Musa preparing breakfast.  After a delicious and filling meal of fresh eggs, mandazi, avocado, tomato, fried potatoes, and the world’s best pineapple, Tom and I walked to the S.O.U.L. Shack to assist the pre-primary teachers.  The children are so bright and eager to learn! Although, I am afraid they get quite distracted by visitors! I was happy to teach them “You Are My Sunshine” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands.”  On this first full day, I also observed the women’s tailoring group and visited some of the chicken groups.  The day ended with dinner at the Shack with the S.OU.L. staff and friends.

The highlight of the next day was playing netball with the women of the village. Netball is something like basketball, but the rules are quite complicated! I know I was terrible at the game, but playing was a lot of fun! The women really get into the game and are quite competitive. They spend their days digging in their gardens, preparing meals, and caring for children. They rarely have an opportunity to play or do anything strictly for themselves.  Netball gives them that opportunity. 

The following day, I visited Calimantina’s midwife clinic. Calimantina has been delivering babies since 1974. She is now nearing 70, and delivers between 3 and 7 babies every day, by herself. S.O.U.L. has drastically improved her working conditions, providing gloves, bandages, clean mattresses, solar panels, and a water collection system. Calimantina is tireless, caring, generous, and grateful.

Other highlights of this amazing and enlightening month include teaching Charlotte’s Web to a P6 class at St. Mary’s School; visiting Sal, my Ugandan father, at his job as points man for Ugandan Railways; checking on all five of S.O.U.L.’s chicken groups with Outreach Coordinator, Phoebe; visiting my little sisters at school in Jinja: teaching computer classes to the villagers; helping to dig at the fish ponds; and visiting a women’s group in a nearby village with area councilwoman, Annet.

The month went by much too quickly and soon it was my last day in Bujagali. My host family prepared a special farewell lunch for Tom and me. There were speeches of appreciation, and gifts and letters from the family. Lastly, they plated a flower in front of the house in my honor.  Sal told me on several occasions, “When you return to Uganda, you stay here and nowhere else. This is your home.”  And, I will return. As they say in Uganda, “a promise is a debt.”  I plan to pay my debt.

By Julie Collura, S.O.U.L. Volunteer 

To find out about volunteering for the S.O.U.L. Foundation visit http://www.souluganda.org/get-involved/volunteer/ and complete our questionnaire. 

Uganda, Take Two

So...Uganda

Omg. What an experience. For a number of reasons. 

My first visit two years ago was very hard for me and I’m not sure that many people I know would be able to manage the rawness of it all. Today, I say sincerely: "this experience is not to be missed.” 

It was eye opening, once again.  The village looks different to be me in so many ways than it did two years ago. My daughter Brooke, who founded S.O.U.L. with my husband three years ago, tells me the only difference is that I am not in shock this time.  While that may be true, there are significant differences that are overwhelmingly evident in a multidimensional way. 

The village looks cleaner; there is less garbage and waste on the paths. The homes we visited have much more order and the people seem proud of their living conditions. The smell of waste is not evident as it was two years ago.  More people have shoes on their feet although many of them tell me they spend a good portion of the day wearing their "originals" (which is their bare feet), to keep their feet in shape and tough skinned.  They are standing taller, smiling more and their clothes are cleaner.  Although they are poor they do not look downtrodden.

During my time in Uganda, S.O.U.L. held a community-wide meeting, which was attended by over 500 people including local and regional officials.  The progress S.O.U.L. has made in the community was recognized and celebrated. A female politician who represents seventeen sub-counties (probably equivalent to a state senator in the U.S. or maybe even a congressman) gave a speech that brought tears to the eyes of many, including my husband. The local leader discussed how never in her political life or in all of her lifetime has she seen villages transform in such a short period of time and declared that S.O.U.L.’s example should and will be a model for all of Uganda. She was choked up in her presentation, and wowed us with her kind and generous words.

The local chairmanship then proceeded to surprise us by donating a large piece of land in a central location to the S.O.U.L. Foundation, positioning us to better serve the numerous villages surrounding our original project area. That's a real vote of confidence. The meeting went on for six hours and included presentations from our preschool children, female students whose education is sponsored by S.O.U.L. and the women who participate in our business cooperatives even coordinated a dance performance! The day was mixed with speeches and entertainment. Brooke hired a PA system so all could hear and at the very end we were able to play some music. Food was provided by members of S.O.U.L. business cooperatives who cooked all morning to feed over 500 people rice and beans and vegetables.  

At the close of the meeting, one by one, the women from the community came up to Brooke and gave her gifts of fruits and vegetables.  By the time it was all over, the gifts could have filled a small grocery store. Now for the first time, I saw Brooke cry. It wasn't the land that was donated, or all the wonderful things that were said about her and S.O.U.L. that day; it was the appreciation that the women showed and the significance of their gifts of food. A year ago, they could not have given that food away, as it might have provided for the only meal their family would eat that day. Brooke was choked up, a rare thing to see. As a mom, I was completely moved by all of it, but especially by that moment. 

We also visited the fish ponds. I was floored. The pictures don’t do the project justice. It just so happened that representatives from the World Bank, the African Development Fund and a number of other global lending institutions were scheduled to visit the project to listen to Brooke give a presentation on our progress. I felt privileged to watch as Brooke described the hard work that has gone into making this project a success.

Here's a funny story. 

We needed two cars to get to village and when we were only about 1 km away we noticed the left wheel on the other car was severely wobbling.  Several meters down the road, the wheel completely fell off and the car collapsed. It was something out of a movie. Now picture this. Cars behind us and cars in front. No one can pass. We are 1 km away. Out of nowhere, at least fifty Ugandans emerge and start helping to figure out how to jack the car up and get tire back on. Lots of conversation amongst them debating how to do this. Women and children everywhere. The willingness to help was amazing and was only topped by the reception we received when we entered the village.  After we finally drove the last km, we were greeted with at least sixty women and scores of kids singing and clapping and cheering. Everyone was so happy to see us. My sister-in-law and niece got choked up witnessing the loving welcome Brooke and all of us received. It is unimaginable. You need the 3D experience to really appreciate the depth of it all.

This time was glorious for me. Beyond words. This time I entered into S.O.U.L. through a new door, with new eyes and new skin. 

I am already planning my next trip back. Can't wait!

Diane Stern, Director of Outreach and Public Relations