One incredible friend & the Amani Academy

Aside from the site where I primarily work, Ndejje, SWB has another program in Uganda; one closer to Kampala in a town called Nsambya. Up to now, it's mainly been a football-only program almost entirely run by local staff. The football program in Nsambya is wonderful and certainly serves as a model for us in Ndejje; engaging activities & frequent matches, high player attendance every day of the week - complete with a thriving girls program. This is due completely and totally to the incredible local staff; Raphael, Olivier, Edgar and (a recently departed for Manchester, UK) Jasiri. For the first half of my time here, I had the good fortune to be able to work out in Nsambya on a weekly basis and was able to get to know these coaches and they've become some of my greatest friends here. (Unfortunately, program issues have kept me out in Ndejje more this time around...)

Me with Rapha

For now I want to share about one friend in particular: Raphael. Rapha is without a doubt, the nicest, most caring person I have ever met. His smile can brighten anyone's day and when he laughs his bellowing, cartoon villain-like laugh (a happy villain of course), I cannot help but crack up myself. Thankfully, he is always smiling and laughing. Rapha's good spirit, along with help from his wonderful friends, has managed to grow the football program in his community, made mostly of Congolese refugees, to serve nearly 100 kids and adults. Everyday, often two times a day, he and another coach are out on the pitch with a team. Rapha is a great coach to watch in action because it's so obvious he cares about the kids and the success of the program.

Rapha is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but has been living in Uganda for a few years. In his time here has managed to pick up a lot of English, making it his 7th language: that's another incredible thing about him - he's always trying to learn about the world around him and will be the first to ask questions or for help when he needs it. He is always asking for corrections to his pronunciation when we speak, an admirable quality indeed. I am moved by Rapha's determination, his good heart and his bright outlook. He has managed to move from his home and create a life for himself here; I am confident he will be successful and achieve anything he sets his mind to. Plus, that laugh doesn't hurt one bit!

Rapha soakin up the sun

His own thirst for knowledge (and financial help from SWB!) recently gave way to Amani Academy - an English class for the Nsambya community. It is essential for Congolese refugees to learn English as quickly as possible since their primary languages are Swahili and French, neither of which are embraced in Uganda. Rapha has taken initiative and started to offer the classes from 8-10 each morning of the week. The classes are free to the community and have become very popular already. There are now two levels for the students; beginner's and intermediate. While most of the students are adults, 25 years +, there are some primary school aged students who attend because they need to learn English before they can start attending school - already 4 students have "graduated" Amani and moved onto Primary!

When I tutored in Harlem last year, most of the students were from West Africa. I notice a lot of similarities between these two groups (as I'm sure most people who tutor can identify with); both set of students are struggling to make it in a place that is not their home. The students have a fierce determination about them to succeed because they need English to survive and are doing all they can to master the language. Their spirit pushes me on and it inspires me. It's really quite special to watch these students soak up what Rapha, his brother Byamo and their friend Jeremiah teach. It's also really encouraging to watch as each and every student improves little by little each week; and when that light bulb goes off for the shy, quiet woman in the back row, all the better...

Amani means "peace" in Swahili.

If you'd like to make a special donation to this new program,
please email me at hluboff@gmail.com.

Webale nyo!
Asante sana!
Merci!