At our Return Presentations this year, McDonald Elementary students had the chance to see the items they’d donated in the hands of Ugandan students. We spoke with a few of the 5th graders after the presentations to get their take on the Sister Schools experience. Hearing their reflections reminded us why our work is so important!
Lucinda
For 5th grader Lucinda, the Sister Schools experience was a wonderful reminder to be thankful for everything she has. Lucinda loves math and her two cats, and dreams of being a scientist when she grows up because she, “Likes finding out mysteries.” In classic 11-year-old fashion, she can easily get caught up in squabbles with her younger sister or a desire for the latest shoes. But after learning about her peers in Uganda, Lucinda said “I have more privileges because I [go to a] school that gives us supplies. You should be thankful for what you have. If you have a pair of shoes and you want to get new ones... you should just keep it. Some kids don’t even have shoes!”
Benja
Benja is a sports-focused 5th grader who plays frisbee, baseball and soccer. Next year, he’s planning to add soccer to his busy schedule too! He was excited to see some of the Ugandan students receive soccer balls in the Return Presentation – their big smiles told him they must love sports too, just like him! Benja was really impressed by the dedication Ugandan students have for their studies, after learning how far some kids walk to get to school and how they’ll prioritize classes above everything else. He confessed that sometimes he doesn’t feel like going to school, so I think their example was both inspiring and convicting for him, and a good illustration of the privileges he is growing up with! All in all, Benja stepped out of the Sister Schools presentation with a greater understanding of Uganda, the world, and his ability to make a difference in it. “I would like to keep making a difference for other people,” he said, “so that they can have the same opportunities that I have.”
Quinn
11-year-old Quinn has dreams of becoming a climate change activist when she grows up, so for her, the Sister Schools program was particularly exciting and empowering. It reminded her she can make a difference in the world TODAY... she doesn’t have to wait. “It feels good to make an impact,” she said. “Doing what seems like a small thing, can make a big impact!” Quinn had lots of fun shopping for supplies to donate with her mom, and helping to load the truck with all the donations at school. She was excited to think about the ways these gifts would help kids on the other side of the world, kids who are just like her. “We live in different places and climates and I think we are a lot more privileged than the kids in Uganda,” she explained, “[but] we all try, and we all live life, and we are all kids.”
For all three of these kids and their classmates, Sister Schools helped develop connections with students half a world away. Their horizons are a little broader, and their understanding of the world around them is a little deeper. As they grow, we’re proud to have played a small part in strengthening their infectious enthusiasm for making a difference and empowering them to build a kinder, more connected world.