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Premier Praise’s Craig Wakeling travelled to Pajule, Uganda recently, where with Premier readers and listeners children are empowered through Chosen Child Sponsorship. He also visited a school to see the impact the school desks - that you all helped fund - are having on students. Here’s an excerpt of Craig’s travel journal…
Celebrating learning
After three planes and 52 hours on the move, we finally reach Pajule in Northern Uganda. It’s dry season so the parched-looking track roads are red and dusty. We’ve got no time to waste so it’s straight to a local primary school to see the desks funded by Premier listeners. As we pull in, we’re greeted by pupils dancing and singing local songs. It’s a real celebration. We’re told that the money raised has bought 398 desks which will be donated to seven primary schools in the area. Each desk sits three, so that’s almost 1200 children with a place to study! I speak to the teachers, who are thrilled. Previously, the students would sit on a cold concrete floor. They would fidget and be uncomfortable and find it difficult to concentrate. One student– Gilbert, 11 – told me he wanted to be an English teacher and was happy that his handwriting was neat now that he had a desk rather than having to write on the floor. It’s wonderful to see such an enthusiasm for learning, and that these desks will be used by ambitious students for years to come!
The Choosing party!
I’ve heard so many touching stories from Premier listeners about their experience being Chosen as a child’s sponsor that I felt quite emotional as we arrived at the Choosing party. We had driven through the bush for the best part of an hour, when suddenly we turned off the track and were met by a procession of women from the community singing and dancing. They led us to a clearing where a bright orange World Vision marquee was set up with the photographs of Premier listeners hanging up just waiting to be Chosen! It was an incredibly joyful atmosphere.
I got to see 45 children’s lives change by choosing who they wanted to be their sponsor. As soon as they selected a photo they sat down and World Vision colleagues helped them write a short letter saying why they had chosen that new friend, what their hobbies are, and what they want to be when they grow up. I loved seeing the other activities happening at the Choosing party. Children had a workshop with a local pastor where they learnt about how special and unique they are in the eyes of God. The parents sat nearby under the shade of a large tree where sessions are held about health and hygiene, education and spiritual wellbeing. It was an unforgettable day. And the best bit? That these new relationships between Premier listeners and the children in Pajule are just beginning.
BE CHOSEN TODAY
Visit worldvision.org.uk/premier to sign up for Chosen and let a child in Uganda choose you as their sponsor. This will mark the beginning of their sponsorship journey with an empowering act that will leavea lasting impression.
