As Fernwood Principal Lew Dickert says, “Everything about this place is powerful.” Yesterday’s dedication of the Lutengo Literacy Center was that and more. The Literacy Center, supported in large part by the Fernwood Elementary School community and employees at OAC Services, is Sister Schools’ fifth and the Lutengo community put it to full use before the ceremony was even over.
The school community welcomed, thanked and entertained their “dear visitors” with heart and imagination. More than that, however, they created a space where visitors and locals could engage and visualize the strong students, strong citizens and strong leaders these children will become. At the end of the formal program, Asia, our Uganda Coordinator, started taking books off the shelves and offered them to children. Controlled, excited chaos reigned as students of every age took a book, found a chair or bench or floor to sit on, and started reading. The students were intent, but we couldn’t wipe the grins off our faces. We left knowing that Sister Schools’ supporters made an impact worthy of the power of Uganda.
