A couple weeks ago I finally made the return trip to Lira where I started my internship with AYINET back in summer 2010. It was there that I truly fell in love with the experience of immersion and public service. But, it was this woman Emily who stole my heart. She wrote me the kindest letter while I was doing field work in a town called Barlonyo. Barlonyo suffered one of the worst massares of the LRA war, wherein hundreds of people lost their lives when the rebels burnt the IDP huts down. Her father perished in the war, and left their family behind. Mom remarried and had another son with the man, but after bravely facing breast-cancer, her husband left her . . . and yet found time to come back and impregnate her with another baby but that most be another story . . . Mom still suffers as there is no treatment available. But, the pride and joy of this family is Emily. Their brave girl who found the courage to write me a letter, and I agreed to help pay for her school fees. It hasn't been easy, as she wasn't used to attending school full time, and was often getting called in to take care of the family when mom was away. So, last year we made the decision to transfer her to boarding school. This wasn't an easy choice, as I know she has a sister and 2 brothers also in need of schooling. Putting Emily in school would put all of the household burdens onto the sister Rachel, but, what does one do, truly? After some very rough grade reports (I get all of them!) I was thrilled to be able to celebrate her big news with her- she passed her classes and will begin P7! She is approx. 15 years old, and this is the last level of primary school. (as explained here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2010/feb/08/education-system-explainer) She has hopes of becoming a nurse, but of course, we all told he she must be a doctor :) This photo of me looking tomato red was taken after we spent the afternoon shopping for her school supplies, backpack/shoes/clothes/foodstuffs/etc.
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| Mom, new baby, Emily1&2 |
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