Death and Dues

As unpredictable as life can be, there are also reoccurring situations that we are familiar with.

Among these include births, the ringing of the bell for tea, honking of horns and flashing of headlights to greet your oncoming driver, sunrises, and sunsets.

You also have deaths and dues, or school fees. 

Here is the thing about the above two… They are expected.  One happens on a daily basis while the other takes place every term.

They never get easier and I am not saying they should. 

This morning I get a phone call from one of my girls saying that she would be missing today’s program because her friend died and they had to return to the village for the burial. 

Note a couple of things.  It was her friend that died, so roughly someone around 15 years.  I do not know how but that doesn’t change the situation.  It is a life that has been taken too soon.  Also note how the burial takes place the same day as the death, which will include the whole community coming together, contributing what they can for food and the other services required.

It is hard for me to comprehend burying a youth… Someone with so much potential and a life ahead but this is life as we know it.  As another PCV in Uganda so eloquently said, “Death, a universal truth, life's equalizer.  No one can escape it.  In Uganda, it's everywhere. … The major difference between the U.S.'s perspective versus Uganda's perspective is that Ugandans are open to it.  They know it's inevitable and a part of life.  On the other hand, the U.S. hides it.  Coffins and funeral homes are a lucrative business that aren't advertised and only sought after when needed.”

Coffins being sold and stained roadside

So there is death for ya.

Now about those dues, or school fees.

The education system in Uganda is modeled from the United Kingdom and you will understand a lot more of it if you read Harry Potter. 

Really though.

This model requires for students to pay for their education.  The idea of public school is nonexistent in the UG and with an upwards of a 400,000UGX, 160USD, payment three times a year is difficult for many families.  Granted this is for secondary school and an expensive one at that, it is a reality. 

Last week one of my girls came to me explaining how her Dad had to return to the village for work for school fees and since she had yet to pay, the Headmaster chased her from school.  She explained how her school fees per term are 100,000UGX, 40USD, plus requirements like uniform, toilet paper, books, brooms, and lab fees.

I asked what her parent’s plan was and she said that her parents want to send her younger brother and sister to school because having three children complete primary school is better than one completing secondary. 

So wrong.  So incredibly wrong.

Plus since school fees tend to be an extended family and community’s concern, they would rather see a boy complete his education than a girl complete hers. 

Again, so incredibly wrong.

Now this girl in particular is one sharp student, scoring in the top 10% of her class of 100 plus students and staying home on the weekend to study instead of attending events in town, such as the Kampala City Festival.  She is committed, determined, and focused. 

I try to avoid helping out my youth with school fees, not because I do not care, but because I know that all of them have similar stories and I fear for the domino effect.  After hearing this particular story and seeing her heartbreak, I decided to talk to my family and my amazing little sister decided to cover her fees for this term.  I spotted her the money so she could return to school this coming week to continue studying and sit for exams that will advance her to secondary two.  If she did not pay immediately she would not be able to sit for exams and would be held back.

Long story short she is beyond words ecstatic to return back to the classroom.  I can't say with confidence I have seen this much excitement on any child’s face knowing they are about to go for exams.

Smiling for school!

Her father called me that night thanking me for the money.  I explained that he needed to continue to work to invest in all of his children’s future and that this is something not to be expected every term.  Little did he know that my girl and I made a plan for income generating activities so she could also support herself. 

It made my day knowing that at least for this term this particular girl child is going far… That her vision and commitment will take her to her dreams.