Despite heated debates in recent years as to the state of the U.S. education system, we are generally quite fortunate. Most Americans have access to a high level of free public education. For many countries in the developing world, including Uganda, public schools often have dirt floors and are lacking in everything from books to desks, and even chairs. This is not to say that Uganda is devoid of good schools; there are excellent schools throughout this beautiful country. But in almost all cases, the best schools are private institutions which require the payment of tuition (called ‘school fees’ in Uganda). In a country with rampant unemployment, the need for solid education is vital to stopping the cycle of poverty. 

This week was a big week at Malayaka House. Patricia (or Patu, as we call her) started school at a local pre-school called Kissy Fur. She has been asking to join her brothers, Georgie and Dave, in this new adventure for months. So she was beside herself this week when her dream became a reality. Kissy Fur is an international nursery school offering everything that you could find in a premium school in the U.S., Europe, or anywhere else in the world. Kissy Fur’s amazing teachers use play as a teaching tool, and they teach reading through sound and song. Kissy Fur is owned by the same people as the Pearl of Africa Primary School, where many of our older children are enrolled. 

Considering that Patricia nearly died at birth, the fact that she is now attending one of the best schools in Entebbe is quite a beautiful thing indeed! And we would not be able to do any of this without friends like you. Thank you for your continued love and support. We are beyond fortunate to have family and friends around the world who appreciate the work that we are doing, and who love our family like their own.