Hilda takes national exam while sick
On the fateful eve of her national examination, 11th grader Kasozi Josephine Hilda was hit by a sudden change in her body temperature, which the school nurse diagnosed as malaria. Hilda was sent to the school clinic. “I didn’t think it was malaria, until I was whisked off to the school clinic and the nurse concluded that I was under a terrible attack of this mosquito spread disease,” relates Hilda, as she gasps her last dose of malaria tablets.
Hilda lay on her “sick bed”, while the chemistry exam waited to be done, the next day. The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), taken at the end of 11th grade, is one of the most important exams. Like the SATs or College Board Exams, it determines the student’s future. Hilda decided to take the exam despite her malaria attack.
“The school headmaster, Dr. Muyingo sat by my side and encouraged me, ‘You are strong, you can hold the pen’, he told me. All the teachers prayed that I heal miraculously. My spirit affirmed to me that I had to do my paper even when I was on a sickbed and I told them I was strong enough to think and write ” Hilda remarks.
“As she wrote her first paragraph on that “sick bed”, I didn’t think she would complete the next one. To my awe, she was asking for more papers to fill,” exclaims Uganda Martyr’s Senior Secondary School – Namugongo’s director of studies. Ms. Nakalembe Topista.
Through sheer determination, Hilda completed her first chemistry exam in the morning. But she had to hold on because she had to sit another paper on religion in the afternoon.
“I felt so cold, and they had to pile a heap of blankets on me to control my body temperature. I didn’t want the teachers to call my mother because she would take me to hospital before I finished my paper,” says Hilda, “I think I passed because I always read ahead in anticipation of such incidents. Things like this happen and many are trapped and fail. But, I was prepared and I hope to succeed despite my malaria attack.”
Dr. Muyingo adds, “Hilda is one of our top students. If she wasn’t sick, we expected she would be one of the best in the whole country. We still expect her to receive a top score.”
After her heroism, Hilda was taken to the clinic, where she received treatment.
Victoria is 2nd in National Math Contest
8-year-old NakasumbaVictoria came in 2nd in Uganda’s junior school mathematics contest. The event was telecast live on NTV (Ugandan National Television).
Victoria was chosen to represent Kalinabiri Boarding Primary School because “in a class of 74 students, little Victoria didn’t have any difficulty to emerge the best in all the mathematics quizzes and mental tests.There are students who take the heart out of you and there are others that put it back, Victoria’s determination and courage puts my heart back. Victoria is one of a kind and such trait is rare to find in juniors of her age. She is amazing, a banner for the school,” remarks headmistress, Mrs. Ireta Prossy.
Victoria, who wants to be a nurse, won a school bag and, “my headmistress gave me 1000 shillings for representing the school,” says Victoria, “During the contest I also met Christine from another school and now we are friends.”
Her teacher Ms. Prossy spoke out, “I thank God for LEAD Uganda for recognizing this unique talent in Victoria.”
Joseph has poem published in Newspaper
High school student Kibalama Joseph’s poem describing the love for his mother was chosen by New Vision, a national newspaper in Uganda, as a winner in their Mother’s Day contest last spring.
“In this country where the life expectancy is 41 years, having my mother around me means a lot to me. Most of my friends in LEAD Uganda have witnessed their mums pass way to HIV/AIDS, or to conflicts, but amazingly God has kept my mum alive. A pat on the back, advice and at least one well-cooked meal for me everyday makes her precious to me,” narrates Kibalama Joseph. Joseph’s poem:
MUM THE BELOVED
Mum,
Of light skin, smooth hair and long
Her smell is sweet and gentle
She never stinks of fish
She never breathes sweat
Like gatherers of dry mood
She has no bold patch on her head
Like those who carry heavy loads
Her teeth are white
Her eyes are like
Those of a newborn fawn
That delights in the milk
That flows for the first time
From the antelopes udder
Neither her heel nor palm
Are rough, but sweet to touch
Like liver, or better still
The fluty dawn at kapok
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED DURING DECEMBER
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We are all hurting during these hard economic times. But bad as things may seem, we Americans are still blessed. Things are even worse in Uganda. And if we are to create a better world, our student leaders are a vital part of the solution. Please — do not forget these heroic children.
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Photography except as noted © 2009, Stephen Shames / Polaris
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