In Uganda, the school year runs from the second week in February until the second week in December. The two months off in between is their long break, like our summer school break. Classes at Rays of Hope school ended on December 7^th this year with the last weeks spent in exams. Each child in Uganda writes the identical exams for their grade in each subject, even the kindergarteners. 

 

On December 8^th, Rays of Hope had their year end party. Each class performed songs, dances and speeches for their parents, grandparents and caregivers. Tim and I sat there like the proud parents of 187 children. Some kids wore handmade costumes, some played the drums and others showed off the handicrafts they made at their Saturday program. In one of the speeches, the kids asked their parents not to drink alcohol and to please take care of them by giving them clothes, food and taking them to school. 

 

Up until December 20^th, the majority of the students are coming to school for a holiday program, others have already gone away to their home villages. Each day, the kids have music, bible class, breakfast and lunch, crafts and art. In art, they collected clay from the ground and in groups, they are carving large mounds of it into animal sculptures. In crafts, they are partnering with the music teacher to make their own instruments to shake and bang on.   Football Fridays with Tim has also continued. After a two week Christmas break, they will begin the program again, up until the time the new school year starts, on February 5^th.

 

Don’t worry, social worker Esther has identified those kids who will really go hungry at home without the food provided at the school. They will be receiving enough posho and beans on the last day of the holiday program to take home and cook for the two weeks off. 

 

Click on the youtube link to see some of the kids performing at the year end party and yes, all the songs you hear are in English! The last song you will hear is their national anthem.