My Visit to Butansi Village, Uganda

by Philippa Wilkinson

This summer I spent four incredible weeks living in Butansi village. The aim of my visit was to meet the people living there and begin to understand their way of life that is so very different to ours, as well as to experience the work of the Buyemba Suubira Uganda Foundation (BSUF) in action.

My friend, Becky, and I were privileged enough to be staying at Annette Mbedha's [Founder and Director of BSUF] family home, where we were so warmly welcomed and well looked after by her family, the BSUF committee and local villagers. The community spirit in the village was wonderful - and something so different to the secluded lives of people back home. Villagers were always popping over to say hello, check we were ok and bring us fruits and maize from their gardens. I loved how children were always over to see the 'mzungu' and to come play with us.

During my time in the village, I was able to spend time in four different local primary schools, two of which (Vienna and Future Victory) educate children sponsored by BSUF. The children were fantastic, and we had great fun singing songs, playing games and learning. In the afternoons I went to visit families living locally and see how they lived. Again, I was astounded by people's hospitality and warmness.

I was also able to visit other projects supported by BSUF, such as the piggery projects and the adult literacy classes. The women involved in the piggery projects were so pleased with their piglets and looking after them so well. This project seems such a success and is an important step for the future.

The adult literacy classes were also running well, with about 20 villagers turning up each week, ranging from old grandfathers through to a mother who turned up with her beautiful 3 week old baby. The 'pupils' are so proud of the success they are making, and are even wanting to get school uniforms and start a football team! They were especially pleased with their exercise books and pencils, which were provided by BSUF earlier this week.

Village life is so different to that of ours at home, and since coming home, it is little things that Becky and I have been grateful for, such as safe running water, being able to have light at night, and having had a good, free education. Although education is officially 'free' in Uganda, the difference between private schools (such as those that the sponsored children attend) and government funded schools is great. Children that are at private school are way ahead academically than those at the government funded schools, and seem to enjoy education more too. On behalf of the sponsored children I met, I want to thank the sponsors here in England so much for the money they are giving. Sponsoring a child really does make a difference and can lift not only the child, but his/her whole family, out of a life of poverty.

Whilst in the village I was also able to see the plot where the proposed Community Centre is to be built next year. I am so excited about this project. I can see how much this community centre will improve the lives of those in the village. It will serve them as a focus for forthcoming educational, health and social programs.

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Annette's Aunt Jane who hosted me; her sister Miriam who looked after us so well; Florence, Mary, and Jethroe who became great friends and were there to look after us; Florence's daughter Annette, who is a great friend and her brother Ambrose who are doing such inspirational work in this village via their Foundation. Thank you all.

[Philippa Wilkinson is in her 2nd year studying Development Studies at Sussex University]