The first summer that we started, before the project had a name, we were four volunteers, three Concordia students, and one Ugandan teacher. While in Kampala, we were hosted by Anny Ngoga, at the In Need Home. I had no idea what to expect. We had developed a program to serve thirty children, aged 6 – 12 years old. We had scavenged books and materials from the EMSB. We were ready to go!
On the first day, Anny helped us meet the thirty pupils - all of them from Namuwongo. None of the children had been attending school when Anny found them. We were exhilarated after the first day.
On the second day, there were forty children awaiting us, and on the third day, fifty children waited to learn. We didn't know what to do! The children not joining us, sat all day, waiting for their lucky peers. By the end of the first week, we had remodelled our program to include 75 children. It was a month etched in my mind. I will always remember that experience. The children wanted to learn! They had a thirst for learning.
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