News Briefs 1..... Who lives in Kathryn's house?
 The girl's dorm at Kathryn's House. A bed for everyone. |
 Board Advisor Tom Sheridan with Daniel whom he sponsors |
Children--Large and Small-- Find a Haven in Kathryn's House......Daniel Sserwadda (above, right) is a P-6 student designated as the Head Boy at MSA. (There is a Head Girl, as well). The honor is bestowed by teachers on one boy and one girl who are both academic stars and strong leaders. Daniel and his brother William both live in Kathryn's House as part of the MSA Boarding Section because their family situation had deteriorated so much it was impossible for them to live at home. It turns out that the Head Girl, Brenda, also lives in Kathryn's house. It seemed to us highly improbable that two top MSA students would be living in Kathryn's house and coming from broken families.
It was our American point of view that initially hid from us the facts that our boarding students are, in many ways, much better cared for than students who live in the community. For us, the thought of putting little children--or even older ones like Daniel and Brenda--in a boarding school seems strange, if not downright cruel. But when we look at how most day students live--with a very poor parent or guardian, in ramshackle dwellings with no beds or mattresses, and with no food security (from where and when will the next meal come?), it begins to make sense. If you add parents, who often leave their kids unattended for long periods as they work, or may overwork and abuse the children, then Kathryn's House looks very appealing. The need for sponsors who will support a child to live in Kathryn's House is growing, as the school grows and economic hardships intensify in the community. Full time supervision, feeding, clothes and medical care at Kathryn's House costs $370 per year in addition to the regular school sponsorship.
RPU Board Advisor Tom Sheridan traveled with the Griswolds to Uganda in February. For the first time Tom met the child he sponsors, Daniel Sserwadda! What a joyful time for both of them. They got together one Friday afternoon and walked through the weekly Lukaya market (see photo above). Daniel and many of his boarding friends got new clothing and gaily striped towels. Daniel now is among the "smartest" dressers at MSA and has a new friend. Tom has a new Ugandan son!
It was our American point of view that initially hid from us the facts that our boarding students are, in many ways, much better cared for than students who live in the community. For us, the thought of putting little children--or even older ones like Daniel and Brenda--in a boarding school seems strange, if not downright cruel. But when we look at how most day students live--with a very poor parent or guardian, in ramshackle dwellings with no beds or mattresses, and with no food security (from where and when will the next meal come?), it begins to make sense. If you add parents, who often leave their kids unattended for long periods as they work, or may overwork and abuse the children, then Kathryn's House looks very appealing. The need for sponsors who will support a child to live in Kathryn's House is growing, as the school grows and economic hardships intensify in the community. Full time supervision, feeding, clothes and medical care at Kathryn's House costs $370 per year in addition to the regular school sponsorship.
RPU Board Advisor Tom Sheridan traveled with the Griswolds to Uganda in February. For the first time Tom met the child he sponsors, Daniel Sserwadda! What a joyful time for both of them. They got together one Friday afternoon and walked through the weekly Lukaya market (see photo above). Daniel and many of his boarding friends got new clothing and gaily striped towels. Daniel now is among the "smartest" dressers at MSA and has a new friend. Tom has a new Ugandan son!