Aisha is a top student at St. John Bosco Katende. “I want to be a lawyer. Then I will be able to help children who have gone through violent childhoods have a better future.”
From the Editor
Thanks to the great success of the first issue, we are proud to be releasing a second issue of the magazine. I am grateful to everyone who participated in the first one and made it possible to come out with a second.
This issue has really come together well, and I am very proud of the final product. We hope this issue will make a great impact and be a great success. Thank you all for your time, and God bless you.
Jjuko Joachim, Editor
Table of Contents
Page 1
From the Editor by Jjuko Joachim
Life in Northern Uganda by Achan Martha Pamela
Our Journey with L.E.A.D Uganda by Abby Becker and Catherine Lincoln
Prayer by Namale Veronica
The Role of a Student for an Economically Stable Uganda by Julius Kimbowa
Page 2
click on link at bottom of page 1 to go to page 2.
Kampala by Nakasumba Victoria
Forefront Church’s Visit by Diana Lin
Education by Nampiima Peninah
Uganda’s Future is Mayhem by Kibirige Ibrahim
Food by Logose Georgina Dorcus
Tips on How to Spend the Holiday by Wasswa Stephen and Jjuko Joachim
Life in Northern Uganda
by Achan Martha Pamela
Northern Uganda is one of the largest regions in the country. Districts include Kitgum, Pardel, Gulu, and Lamwo, among others. The regions inhabited by the Acholi Tribe is what I am going to dwell on. This group of people is believed to have originated from Bar-el-Hazel in Southern Sudan around 1500 A.D. They speak Acholi and Luo. Rwot is the title given to the Acholi chief. The present chief of Acholi is Rwot Achana.
The main food crops of the Acholi Tribe consist of millet, sorgum, ground nuts and simsim. They grow crops according to the season. They grow in wet season and harvest in dry season. Most of them practice mixed farming. They grow crops and also keep domestic animals like cows, goats and pigs.
The Acholis also have many traditional dances. Some of the dances are: Bola, Larakaraka, Apiri, Lacukucuku, Myellyel, and Myeljok. When a boy is looking for a girl for marriage, the
Lararkaraka dance is organized. The boy will choose the girl based on her dancing ability – the girl who dances the best will be picked. When harvest is done, Bwola dance is organized to celebrate the good yield. When an old person dies, Myellyel dance is organized to mourn for the death of a member of the society. When twins are produced, Myeljok is organized to celebrate the birth, which is how they baptize the baby.
The naming of a baby is based on the time, place, region and condition the child was born in. If the child is born when it is raining, the child must be named Akot (girl) or Okot (boy). If you were born when your mother is traveling, you must be named Ayoo (girl) or Oyoo (boy). If you are born in a poor family, you must be named Achan (like me).
Achan Martha Pamela
Our Journey with L.E.A.D Uganda:
An Unforgettable Experience
By: Abby Becker and Catherine Lincoln
Abby and Catherine are students at Darien High School in Darien, CT.
Coming to Uganda has been an amazing experience for both of us. We are thrilled to have gotten the opportunity through L.E.A.D Uganda to come to this country and discover a new part of the world. After reading about some of the many struggles experienced in Uganda, we hoped to inspire our school and community to help change the country’s current situation. This past spring, we were introduced to L.E.A.D and found that it offered an amazing opportunity for us to come to Uganda and see for ourselves the issues that exist there.
Upon arrival, we were shocked to find obvious poverty among the streets of Kampala. We felt far from home and a bit apprehensive about the days that lay ahead. However, when we arrived at the L.E.A.D house, we immediately felt accepted. The kids and the staff were so welcoming and they gave us the support we needed to give our very best during our time here. From that point on, we fell in love with the children and our relationships strengthened with time.
On our third day here, we traveled to Pallisa where we were shown a different face of Uganda. As we traveled farther east, we saw our environment transform as the city life faded and rural surroundings took over. The daily lives the people led fascinated us and we enjoyed uncovering the different aspects of Ugandan culture. We were honored to attend the funeral of a woman whose children were to become students of L.E.A.D Uganda. The ceremony emphasized what the organization was all about. The children were left with no parents and almost no way to support themselves. However, L.E.A.D gave them the gift of education and now, they have the opportunity to use their passion for learning to transform their life. This was our first look into how L.E.A.D effectively changes lives.
Grace is comforted at her mother’s funeral
by L.E.A.D Students Brian and Aisha.
Our second informative encounter occurred when we were brought to the slums of Kampala, where Ntege and Wasswa Steven, two students, had lived with daily struggles before L.E.A.D. The experience was shocking; we had a hard time believing people could live in such deplorable living conditions. As we walked through the slums and saw children living in perhaps the worst case of poverty we have ever seen, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that the two bright and passionate students leading our way called this area their home. They had come so far from the small boys who had nothing to young men with bright futures ahead of them. L.E.A.D Uganda made this incredible transformation possible.
After working with L.E.A.D over the past few days, we’ve realized what an amazing organization it really is. Their model rewards children who have a passion to learn but suffer from a lack of opportunity. In return, they strive to become leaders in their field of choice and empower change so that, one day, Ugandans can overcome their obstacles and reach their full potential. We are confident that the students will achieve this goal. We hope after sharing our experiences with our community in Darien, Connecticut, we can aid their every effort.
Abby and Catherine visit the home of L.E.A.D student Jimmy
Prayer
by Namale Veronica
Prayer can be defined as a solemn request of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.
In Uganda, almost three quarters of the total population, if not all, honor prayer. Some people end up giving up on prayer because of the long period they spend waiting for God to answer their prayers.
For me, prayer is vital and I take it to be the mover of my life. For example, my mother and I used to pray to God so that I could find a sponsor to help me in my studies. God listened to our prayers and that’s the reason for my happiness. So, I have a strong belief that if it was not for GOD I would not be studying now.
A Personal Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ bless our brothers and sisters here and throughout the world. Have Mercy on those who do not know You or love You.
Guide us so that we may always remain in Your grace and help others to follow Your ways because You are the reason as to why we exist.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever.
Namale Veronica
The Role of a Student for an Economically Stable Uganda
by Julius Kimbowa
The time has come for us Ugandans to sit down and think about our country, Uganda. I always get a headache when I see Ugandans suffering economically amidst all the resources with which God blessed us. Let us not forget that God commanded us to make this World a better place to live in.
The youths must realize that we can bring about a positive change in Uganda. I believe that every human being is important in one way or another. Fellow students, let us get together and help our country. Let us realize that we can be tools in a movement to better Uganda. Never let your horizons be limited in scope. Opportunities are not seen with your eyes, they are seen with your mind. A journey of a thousand miles is started with just a footstep. Carlos Slim Helu, the richest person in the world, tells us his history and explains that one thing he regrets is having started a business two years late. He started a business when he was 11, but he says that he was supposed to start at the age of 9.
It was in 2004 when I was realized I had wasted a lot of money as a pupil in one of the primary schools here in Uganda. Winds of change started blowing when I accepted that knowledge is power. I had many talks, and read a number of inspiring articles from many people of this world. I was so inspired, I made a move in my life. I realized that saving money is paramount in this competitive world. Having saved for two years, I started a paper project that is running to date. I have continued saving in order to enlarge my project and also started other investments. I have used part of my savings to purchase gadgets ready for a studio as soon as I complete Senior Six (13th grade) this year.
I call upon fellow students not to wait for university, and start looking for jobs. Let us focus on being job creators rather than job seekers so as to have a better Uganda. Others can, you can. Let us think big if we want our country to prosper. Start and grow big. Mark you that the education system we are experiencing was introduced by colonialists to keep us in poverty in order for us not overpower them. This explains why there are many educated but unemployed Ugandans and Africans at large. There is too much inflation and an unstable economy.
Fellow Ugandans, fellow students, fellow countrymen, let us get together and ensure that we lead Uganda to greater heights. Students do not forget that zeal without knowledge is a horse running away. I wish you all the best and God’s blessing as you go along with your studies and not forgetting that we have a long way to go, making Uganda a better place to live in.
I have a dream that one day Uganda will be a happy, developed and prosperous country. Together we can, for God and my country. God bless you all, God bless Uganda.
Julius Kimbowa
Go to PAGE 2 of LEAD Magazine
