Sweetening Visitation Day For Students
Snacks, soda and sugar are highly prized items at boarding schools in Uganda – see how a little goes a long way in boosting students’ joy and self-esteem.
On March 24th 2019, I traveled to the Masaka district in Central Uganda along with Children of Uganda (COU) staff to visit St. Stephens High School Bajja. This magnificent school has 20 COU sponsored students ranging from Senior 1 (7th grade) to Senior 4 (10th grade). Our visit to the school coincided with the school’s visiting day. What this means is, since St. Stephens High School is a boarding school, parents are usually given a day to check on their children since the students spend 3 months away from home during the school term.
On this particular visit, we had an opportunity to check on the grades of the COU students. We also got to talk to candidates who will be leaving O’ level and joining A’ level next year. The talk helped prepare them for the tough exams they will need to take.
Above all, visitation day is a family event where parents show love to their kids and express how much they are missed at home. Some parents also bring goodies for their children that they rarely consume at school. To make sure everyone had goodies to enjoy this time, we brought enough snacks, soda and sugar for all 20 students. Simple as that may sound, these are highly prized items at boarding schools in Uganda.
Our presence as COU made the students feel happy and loved – especially for those whose family didn’t come. Can you imagine seeing everyone sitting with their family for a talk and a meal while you sit alone? Naturally, when students are not visited, they feel really bad and deserted. Therefore, our visit meant a lot to the students. One teen told us how much he felt cared for and loved by us. His parents live far away from St. Stephens so they rarely make it to see him during the school term.
Our visit motivated the students to read hard and get better grades. It also raised their self-esteem as they felt appreciated by their COU family; and lastly, it uplifted their spirits and they looked so joyful. Ultimately, it really is an important initiative for staff to visit all students supported under the program because it has a profound impact on them. Thanks to Executive Director, Pamela Brannon, for fully funding our most recent visit to St. Stephens High School Bajja.
By: Robert Ssebandeke
2016 COU Sponsored University Graduate
Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science & Technology
