Trip to Kampala

Just the thought of the Arlington Academy of Hope Study Tours brought brightness to the student’s faces the past few weeks; you can tell something is going on. I can hear students whispering and giggling during break times and asking the teachers for information about the stops along their tour. The other day, I asked a group of students if they were excited for the trip.  The physical anticipation and energy immediately brought all five of them into a wild dance circle. With the tours in the third and final term of the year, you can feel the built-up enthusiasm and it’s a bit contagious.

Primary 6 and Primary 7 travel to Entebbe and Kampala, the Capital city. Lacey and I were not going to miss this trip with these students and I think the teachers felt the same way. The primary 6 class is really special. They are so competitive about knowledge (and everything else), so animated and yet so sweet and caring. They really are the stars of the school. The primary 7 class, including the teachers, has been working tirelessly to cram an entire primary education review into one term after completing the necessary curriculum. They finish paper after paper and exam after exam Monday through Saturday and even study on Sundays, too. The Primary Leaving Exam (PLE) was set for two weeks after their tour and the trip was a proper motivator in the final push to revise as well as mentally prepare to sit for the PLE. Both classes really deserved this trip.

5:30 am Thursday morning was the time to report and the students were prompt, primped and packed to adventure to the big city. Their smiles were so big as they waited for the Elgon Flyer bus to roll into Kikholo trading center – a true sight to see. When busses were packed with red-checked uniforms and the chaperones, the horn sounded and the trip officially began. The singing started almost immediately, and so did the vomiting. Thank goodness Elgon Flyer knows that young children from the village who don’t travel much get motion sick so easily; they came prepared.

Along the bus ride, Teacher Michael pulled out a map of Uganda and the students took turns tracing our route and taking note of the change of environment in different districts. Also, the students kept track of different crops they spotted in those districts. Teacher Ronny spent much time in the back of the bus asking and answering questions for the students to reflect on their country as it passed in our tour bus windows. Their eyes were wide and so were their smiles. In between geography lessons, students sharpened their math and bargaining skills at roadside window markets. Grilled meats, fresh fruits, cold drinks and sugar canes soon filled our bus and for a moment, there was a quiet peace. 

The bus ride was long but definitely enjoyable. We arrived at the bay of Lake Victoria in the late morning for our first stop, Port Bell Pier in Kampala. We then moved to the Parliament building and finally the Uganda Museum. My favorite part of the day was Parliament. There was one other class in our group and we all sat in the viewing area, listening to the tour guide’s speech of historical facts. At the end of our session, the orator asked questions to the students such as names of current members, definitions of new vocabulary and procedural understanding of parliament. Each and every time a question was asked, only one side of the room raised their hands eagerly awaiting their chance to stand and address “parliament.” That side of the room was filled with students from Arlington Academy of Hope. The other school was a city school. Imagine, our student knew all of the answers and asked the most intriguing questions to solve their inquisitions. Our teachers really teach and our students really learn. We were all so proud in that moment.

We spent the evening in very comfortable dormitory facilities at the ZOO as it was our first stop in the morning when it opened at 8. This convenient set-up allowed for relaxation and confidence among the staff and students as we were not on a strict early morning time schedule. The teachers were also given their own rooms, which I am told is a huge improvement from sleeping in the same room as a bunch of excited, giggling students who refuse to sleep. We were all thankful for a peaceful night sleep.

The morning came quickly and after bathing and cleaning our rooms, we played “acting” (charades) while taking tea – always a great way to get the energy flowing in the morning. The zoo was fabulous and I was impressed with the diversity of animals and plants they had on display. After the tour, we spent time on the beach front and a group of students even took a boat ride; their first boat ride. I watched them test the stability of the dock with white-knuckles on the railing and struggle with life jackets; most put them on upside down. Moments like this really stick with a person who tends to forget childhood normalcy is not universally defined. I daydream about one of those students growing up to be nautical engineer which was all inspired by the simple 1,000 UGX boat ride.

After the zoo we traveled to the airport and then visited the meteorological center where Thomas joined the tour. It was really nice to see him connecting their education with their experiences and really loving it. After all, he is a teacher. We had one last meal and then departed Kampala. Well, we tried to depart Kampala but found ourselves in the middle of the famous unorganized evening jam. Lacey and I agreed that the tour of the city was probably not complete without this element and that eased our angst, indeed. The jam also gave the students the chance to really see the city. We were stuck in the same spot for long periods of time which allowed them to witness the roadside happenings.

When we finally made it through the jam, the children resumed their songs in the darkness of the night and the staff settled in for the cross-country trip. The drive was quick and flawless, except that we arrived at 11:30pm. Some of our students live deep into their villages and the timing made it impossible for them to make it home safely. Last minute accommodation and food for the students were put together at the school. A meal was prepared at midnight and the students went to sleep on the library floor. Student slept on the floor with broken mats and the bed sheets they had packed with them from the trip. (I later learned that the students who live far also have to sleep at the school the night before the trip in order to make the bus so early) After a two-day mega adventure, I am sure they all slept soundly. I know I did.

Teacher Patrick’s preparations were so crucial to the flow and success of the trip. Of course the traffic and timing of such events are never spot-on but even when our timetables were adjusted, he handled it calmly and efficiently as to not deprive the children of an opportunity to learn. He had planned a fun, educational and well-balanced study tour with all of the necessary comfort and support such as bathroom breaks, meals and accommodation.

We are so grateful for the support of the US and the hard fight in the Uganda team that made these trips happen. The entire staff feared the disappointment and educational backlash that would have occurred had the trips not been able to go forward. The week before the trip, the staff room was filled with teachers passionately confessing the true importance of the study tours. Not only do the trips provide school incentive, motivation and something to look forward to but the true spirit is to give them life application. They push through the core subjects, memorize facts and try to understand the world beyond the village boundaries. These opportunities provide real life experiences in which they can attach their knowledge to treasure memories. Giving the students the chance to witness some of life’s opportunities not only strengthens the education they receive, it creates a hunger for more. I, unfortunately missed out on some of the sights because I was too busy watching the students’ faces. They were filled with awe and wonder. The teachers on the trip were also looking at the students’ faces as they beamed with pride and fulfillment of their roles in the AAH family. It was sweet.