School Speech Day

P1 and P2 classes - the youngest children, singing about hand washing.

The older children telling stories through local dance.

Having been in Kamwenge for 7 months now, one of the things we often ask ourselves is “Are we making a difference?” or “Are we having an impact?”. It is difficult for us to tell as things move very slowly and often the challenges appear huge. However I was very pleased to be invited to Kyabenda Primary School's speech day last week. Not all schools have an end of term speech day, but those that do will normally invite members of the PTA and school management committee, together with parents, so I felt very honoured to have been invited as someone who has been involved in the school this term.

I was even more thrilled when, class by class, the children sung songs, recited poems, danced and performed drama, all of which had many, varied health messages. The younger children, who sang in their local language, sang a song about the importance of washing hands before eating and keeping food covered. Another class sang about the importance of washing their hands after using the latrine and protecting water from collection to drinking. One girl recited a poem called Mr. Mosquito, about how to prevent malaria, and the older classes performed a drama telling how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. I felt quite overwhelmed and very pleased that many of the topics I had been working on in the school were being performed in front of parents and school members. Although I am fully aware that singing about things does not necessarily mean that they are happening, I felt that perhaps I have made some small difference in Kyabenda School this term.