 |
 |
||
 |
 |
I’ve been in Uganda almost 12 years. I’ve been Isaac’s mother for 10 of those 12 years and I can’t believe my son is growing up. Of course I see him every day. We’ve had birthdays to celebrate each year but when did he grow up? Isaac is now a few months from 13 and he came to me recently about spending his 7th grade year in boarding school. Here in Uganda when you are in 7th grade, you prepare for a nationwide exam that decides whether you go to a very good high school possibly on scholarship or whether your parents have to pay a lot of money for you to go to a decent high school. If you do poorly on this exam, you may not be accepted to any high school. Needless to say there is a lot of emphasis placed on this 7th grade exam and there is tremendous competition among primary schools to come out on top. 7th graders are in classes at 6am and also have classes in the evening until 10pm. It’s a stressful time to be a seventh grader. Isaac came to me in my office and said “Mommy I think its better if I do boarding this year. There is a lot I will be missing if I’m just a day scholar and I want to make sure I bring you home Aggregate 4 (the top score you can get on the exam).” I told him I knew he wanted to do well but I didn’t mind getting up extra early to drive him to school as well as coming to pick him at night. He said, “Mommy, I know but that would be to much work for you. You already do to much and you will be to tired.” My schedule is quite busy. When the kids are in school we normally wake up at about 5:30am to start getting ready to go to school. Between 6:30 and 6:45a.m. the primary kids are taken to school and then I continue on to go pick up nursery school children around town who attend Answering For The Children Nursery School. While I am driving, the faithful aunties at home are bathing, dressing, and feeding our 7 remaining nursery school kids. I come back between 8 and 8:30am for nursery school to start. Nursery school is from 8 to 12:30. During that time I am in the office doing administrative work for both the nursery school and the home. However on Tuesdays and Fridays there is shopping to do. That takes up the bulk of the morning. At 12:30 the nursery kids from the community go home and lunch is served to our kids. From 1:30 – 3:30 the young kids take naps. This gives me time to work on more administrative things or run necessary errands. At 3:30 it s time to pick the 1st , 2nd , and 3rd graders from school. And at 6:00pm the 4thth through 7th graders are picked up. When every one gets home that’s when we start washing the uniforms. Each child has two uniforms and everything is hand-washed so it takes a little bit of time. By 7:30 it’s dinner time. By 9pm every is in bed unless they haven’t finished their homework and Mommy checks all homework every night. I was grateful that my son knew the strains of my schedule but at the same time him being in boarding school was not what I liked. But I conceded but not until I talked to the school administration. After talking to the school it was agreed that Isaac would be able to come home every weekend. That helped soooooo much. I see him every day but not having him home at night makes me miss him. It’s just something knowing that your child is sleeping somewhere else every night and you don’t get that kiss goodnight. We always give each other hugs and kisses good night and I was not to keen on that part. But I have adjusted to being without the BIG BOY at home. He comes home on the weekends and we are happy. He’s doing very well in school and is getting over 80% on all exams so far. The school has said they believe this 7th grade class is much stronger than last years. Isaac is apart of that. He is growing up to be a mature young man who not only cares about what he wants but he cares for his mother and is willing to sacrifice to make sure I’m not overworked and overstressed. It’s nice to see and feel my son looks out for me at 13. I pray he continues to set a good example to his younger siblings and continues to grow in wisdom, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He’ a great kid and I am so proud I am his Mom. When you think of us here in Jinja, remember Isaac and this crucial 7th grade year. Pray for him and believe he will accomplish his goal of bring home the top grade in his 7th grade exam. And even progress to his ultimate goal of being a pilot. |
|
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
|
|
|
