My WAIT visit to East Africa
By Marshall de Souza, UK WAIT Director
On 4th April, I embarked on an exciting visit to Uganda and Tanzania in order to see things there myself, and to be able to make real plans for the WAIT UK trip this summer. Even a fifteen hour delay at Heathrow Airport at the start of my journey didn’t put a damper on this very worthwhile and fruitful journey, supported in a huge way by Rev. Isaac Nsereko, a remarkable Ambassador for Peace and Principal/Founder of the Nserester Complex, a visionary school in Masaka that houses and educates hundreds of orphans whose parents died of AIDS.
Performers outside preparing to welcome me Official Welcome at the school!
Due to the flight cancellation, I arrived at Entebbe Airport, Uganda, early morning, 5th April, instead of the previous evening. Nevertheless, Rev. Isaac and driver, Samuel, were there to meet me. We drove to the school in Masaka, via Kampala, visiting the “Voices of Peace” project that offers counselling and advice to people among other things!
I arrived at the Complex which was buzzing with activity at around 11am. Hundreds of youth from various schools had gathered to put on a show, and to hear the WAIT message. We had a Chiganda dance for Wagandas; a Zulu dance for Zulus of South Africa; we heard poems; we heard from the Headmaster and Principal of the School; then I was asked to explain what WAIT stood for, and what we were planning to do in July. The youth were truly excited!!
The Chiganda Dance The Zulu Dance
In the evening, I had the opportunity to have dinner with youth leaders from the Complex. A number of them became very interested and want to be trained to work with WAIT from July onwards! I handed out some presents and WAIT badges from the UK.
The next day (6th April), I met some other potential WAIT leaders over breakfast, and gave out WAIT materials. Later, I was driven to the “School of Mission” (a model IRFF farming project). Over a hundred children are taught farming methods here. I was amazed at what can be done to help others when there is a vision and enthusiasm from the potential learners. The project houses a herd of pigs, but also grows a wide variety of crops, such as maize, aubergine, peppers, cabbage, beans, tomatoes and potatoes. I was moved and impressed by the effort made at this location!
In the evening, I attended a concert in Mutukula, near the border with Tanzania. The concert was very interesting. A number of youth from abstinence clubs performed songs and dances. I developed a number of points to discuss with the youth when we do WAIT training with them in July.
The following morning (7th April), we entered Tanzania (after a long wait at the border). I was able to meet community leaders in the city of Bukoba, and had lunch with them. Then together, we all went to a large park, where a huge crowd had gathered. Rev. Isaac introduced me and asked me to speak to them about WAIT, which I did very freely! Afterwards, many parents and youth leaders came to talk to me. I discovered that there were people present from the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Burundi. We discussed plans for July, which will now include youth representatives from nearby countries, as well as Tanzania and Uganda! That evening, I dined with some special friends of Rev. Isaac, from his church community.
Addressing the crowd in the park
Easter Sunday was my busiest day, by far! The day started at 6am, I was picked up at 7am and driven to the huge Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral with Rev. Isaac. We were both to take part at the 8am Easter service in front of a three thousand strong congregation. Rev. Isaac delivered the reading, while I offered a “WAIT message” on abstinence and purity. Youth from the Nserester Complex also performed a song and dance. Just before the end of the service, I met up with some teachers and gave them WAIT leaflets. After quick refreshments, we were whisked off to the Anglican Church, and once again, took part in the service as we had done at the previous church. The Nserester youth also performed a lively number at this church. The service ended with a handshake to the entire congregation of about two thousand!
Nserester youth singing Offering explanation about WAIT
In the late afternoon, a concert was held at the Kaitaba Stadium. There was a great variety of performances, including a funny national radio presenter, professional singers and dancers. As the guest of honour, I was asked to present Ambassador for Peace awards to thirteen distinguished men and women. I felt very privileged to do this!
On Easter Monday, we travelled back to Masaka (Uganda), and then on to Kampala, the capital city. Rev. Isaac
Introduced me to various key people along the way – all of this preparation for July and beyond!! In particular, a junior pastor expressed his desire to receive leadership training, in the UK, to be able to do more in East Africa. In the evening, I spent some quality time with Rev. Isaac. We looked closely at the schedule he had made for the WAIT team in July. I made a number of small changes to what was already a really wonderful programme!
At the Uganda-Tanzania border With driver, Samuel, at the Uganda Equator
Tuesday, 10th April, was my last day in Uganda. I had the opportunity to meet more interesting people; spent time with an evangelist from Singapore; met with the Nserester photographer, Moses, and a local journalist, Stanley, who promised to cover the WAIT team’s July programme; and lastly, with great pleasure, I met Rev. Isaac’s two young daughters, Hope and Yanyamba, as well as driver Samuel’s daughter, Emilly, who turned out to be a pen friend of Julia Coombs, youngest sister of Stephanie, a WAIT UK dancer. What a small world!!!
The girls: Yanyamba, Hope and Emilly Emilly with Rev. Isaac and myself
Early next morning, I was on the flight back to London, via Nairobi (Kenya) and Amsterdam. Whilst, it was good to be returning home, I reminisced on my time in East Africa. First of all, I offer my deepest gratitude to Rev. Isaac, whose continuous pushing made me make this wonderful trip. I’m quite indebted to his generous heart and planning skills! Secondly, I could see the situation (particularly regarding youth) in East Africa for myself. It left me with no doubt how much WAIT is needed in Africa – to offer abstinence groups real support, but more than that, to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS through education and working with youth and youth leaders to develop the talents of youth people using the performing arts which seems to come natural to them.
Because of the many key people I could meet and talk to, planning the WAIT team’s trip in July was made easier for me. However, one major hurdle has yet to be jumped – financing the July trip! I believe that by a combination of different methods, we can do it… Starting with a musical concert this weekend (Saturday, 21st April), raising funds individually and collectively with our partner organisation, IRFF, and applying for grants from various trusts in the UK, will be the answer to our prayers!!
The plan is to take a strong team of twelve people (10 WAIT members and two parents) to East Africa this July. Please contact WAIT UK if you wish to know more, or if can help in any way. E-mail address: wait-uk@waitteam.org or phone 020-563-0911 (daytime) / 020-7724-5844 (evenings). Thank you!
