The right to an education doesn’t seem like a far stretch for someone who has had the privilege of being provided a free education. Many of us reading, even the one writing, have been blessed with an education (quality debate aside) which was provided through 12th grade at little or no cost to our parents. It’s quite commonplace to see this happening in the United States and in many other developed countries. However, for many nations above and below the equator, also known as developing nations, this is not a common factor. Many children have never stepped foot into a classroom, seen a book, or have ever had the opportunity to do so. Uganda is not so different from many other periphery nations in their education success levels. The primary cause for concern in the nation is the limited access and resources for children of preschool to primary schooling age. On top of a lack of resources, there is an urgent need for educators. How can American teachers have an impact on the education system without moving to Uganda? This is where we’re heading.
First off, I want to explain how this ties into the mission. In December of 2019, David and Abby from A Perfect Injustice (API) visited Desert Springs Bible Church, talking about their organization and the realities of conditions unbeknownst to many in the world. As they were speaking, they mentioned our team heading to Uganda in June 2020. When asked their biggest need for the team they had little hesitation in answering. Two callings-two groups of people came quickly to mind: teachers and videographers. We are so blessed and excited to be sending them not one, but two teachers in response to their prayers. Both of these teachers were committed to the trip before ever knowing their prayers. How God takes individual plans and fits them them into a greater purpose truly is a masterpiece.
Secondly, these American teachers going to Uganda are not planning on changing the entire educational system of the nation. They are going as instruments to help train and bring support to the teachers who are already in place, ready to work with a primary school founded through API. The goal is to help bring fresh, simple, purposeful ideas and strategies which can be implemented upon the opening of the school, with few outside resources needed. Many teachers in the US are fortunate to have a classroom which is their own, complete with white boards, copier access, pencils, paper, projectors, any form of technology, and so on. Educators in Uganda have nothing of the sort. They are blessed if they have a building to teach in, paper to use themselves, let alone for a student, and desks for children to sit in. Technology is not even an option. The American educational system is imperfect and filled with flaws through and through. However, by worldly standards, teachers are qualified, doing their best to love children every day, and can be considered safe adults for children to trust. Uganda is the exact opposite in terms of qualifications, attendance for teachers, and children’s safety.
Uganda is still very much considered a Least Developed Country, and developing nation. It was only in 1997 that they introduced universal primary education (UPE), in which parents of children are still expected to pay for uniforms, stationary, and books. The average population of Uganda struggles to feed single family members, let alone put one or multiple children through school. The costs of UPE are non-sustainable for a majority of the nation. By the end of 7th grade, only 1/3 of children are still in school. Safety from their educational leaders is an even larger concern for children. It is not uncommon for teachers to sexually harass students, especially male teachers to female students. Violence from teachers dealing with children’s behavior is also commonly experienced. Children who are born disabled, orphaned, or at any other disadvantage have an even greater risk of never receiving an education or experiencing the above described.
So how can we team together and help? Already, the teachers traveling have partnered with colleagues to brainstorm on the best approach. API has found local teachers who are dedicated to their God-called craft and who desperately love to see children flourish. We can help by linking hands, admitting it will never be perfect, sharing the simplest resources, praying, and walking it together. During the two weeks in country, teachers will have a chance to learn about student trauma and needs, and how to interact with young children in play and through other mediums, going beyond the traditional lecture. Much of the work will be done in Swahili, the country’s native tongue, so resources and ideas will have to be translate-able. Bringing paper, pencils, strategies, and other basic necessities is the goal of the traveling teachers. The greatest goal is to help and walk with the local teachers in loving, caring for, and guiding students. The API school will be primary grades (1st-2nd) at the start, and will continue to grow as resources and time allow. All of the children in attendance will be sponsored. While the American teachers are available, they will be aiding in writing biographies for any of the children who might be attending, to help gain sponsorship.
Education is about learning, but there is more than one way to be educated in the 21st century. Intelligence is not tied to scores on exams or essays. It is about survival, emotion, leadership, and life. Ugandan children deserve and have the right to an education, the same as any children from the USA, Europe, or any other nation. Their basic educational necessities are the same as any other nation’s. However, their education and learning will look different in the landscape of their own unique culture, language and needs. This isn’t a Uganda situation, it’s a global situation. It’s a global home thing. Ugandan children need the intelligence and education of taking up a craft or trade, learning how to farm, and how to speak English. These are just some of the primary needs being emphasized. API, alongside the focus of providing primary education, also offers life skills to women of surrounding villages and a trade-building course to young men whom they take in. They are preparing leaders who are going to transform their nation from the inside out. This is not a “White Savior” mission; this is about the leaders who are raised from the ground up with the support of their own country. The best part is, these children who were told they never had value have the same world-changing capability as any other child.
Education has no borders. Teaching is a craft in which every person called to it is desperately needed, regardless of the nation of origin. These aren’t going to be American teachers and Ugandan teachers. They are simply educators coming together to grow, collaborate, and learn how to better love and build up future leaders. It’s pretty amazing how labels and social categories fall away when the family of Christ works together for the betterment of the Church.
We ask that you continue to keep all teachers and students involved in prayer, especially the children who are going to be sponsored. Many of them come from backgrounds in which school is a dream never fulfilled, or where family members had traumatic experiences. We pray that the Lord use API and this project to open their minds and hearts not only to school, but to Him as well.
If you are an educator or have experience and would like to share your ideas, supplies, or curriculum, please reach out through the connect page. This isn’t a small group effort, but rather a global team calling.