Sacha and Chrispus on Byoona Amagara Island, Lake Bunyoni in Kabale, June 2008     Visiting Chrispus in Uganda 2008 In between teaching at the Child Africa International School in Kabale, Chrispus and I spent time together around town and travelled out to one of the islands on Lake Bunyoni. We also went up to his house in the mountains to visit his grandmother and brother Julius. There we had a delicious lunch and I presented grandmother with a red scarf that looked very smart when she put it on! Grandmother with her new scarf Julius came with us to Byoona Amagara Island where we took some sun, walked around the island, conversed and relaxed. On Saturday night we had dinner in the restaurant (the boys had fish, a real treat from the lake!) and then we watched a movie down in the library before retiring to our respective cabins for the night. In the morning the boys showered with hot water - a luxury for them! What was very interesting for me was how they travelled to the island with just the shirts on their backs. They can view the lake from their land up the mountain but have never travelled to the different islands or regulary eaten fish - these things cost money that they just don't have. Chrispus and Julius on Byoona Amagara Island at Lake Bunyoni Chrispus is growing up fast and is now becoming a young man. He has also just started studying at a new private school that is called Trinity Secondary School. While it costs a little more, the academic standard is very high and students are expected to only speak English on school grounds. If anyone is caught speaking their native language they are made to wear a sack for the day as a form of punishment. I can honestly say that when Chrispus told me this story the look of absolute horror on his face made me realize that he never planned to speak anything but English! The school has an excellent reputation and most students that graduate dream of continuing to university level. It also receives generous funding from a US Christian organization which means that resources are of a better standard. Chrispus lost both his parents to HIV some years ago and was unable to start secondary school due to lack of funds. He was working as a Boda Boda (bicycle) driver in Kabale to make ends meet for his grandmother. Since being sponsored he has started secondary school and spent Christmas in Kampala with Child Africa where he saw many things we take for granted: the airport, a coffee shop, an amusement park and lots of traffic! The trip to Amagara Island was also something completely novel to both the boys. It is really nice to see them exposed to all these adventures. Welcome to Charity! She is the one in the middle... Charity (in the middle) taking a break during a netball competition we attended with a neighbouring school on the Rwandan border. Child Africa International won 13 to 5. I'd like to take this chance to introduce my newly sponsored child Charity. We met while I was teaching at Child Africa International School and from the first moment I saw her there was an immediate bond. Charity is 13 years old and lives with her mother. She is the youngest of her siblings, the others never finished primary school and are now married with their own families. Charity's father has various wives and left the family some time ago. Her mother does not have the funds for school fees, regardless of the fact that her daughter scored the highest marks at her previous school. Charity was determined to enrol at Child Africa International School and is only there because Julie Solberg has allowed a number of children to start without sponsors or school fees. Charity is not only beautiful, she is determined at the age of 13 to make something out of her life. I was amazed by her drive and positive spirit and I'm really happy to have adopted her! Sacha and Charity in the playground at school. Charity, Sacha and Isaac on the Rwandan border So there we have it! I hope my stories about these children encourage you to tell people about the child sponsorship programme with Child Africa International. If you would like to know more about my experience as a sponsor parent please email me at sacha@cambridgetoafrica.org. It costs very little and the experience is immeasurable! Best wishes, Sacha DeVelle Founder, Cambridge to Africa.