Students from Blaine Middle School were joined by several members of the community in a gathering Thursday night to celebrate "The Children of Uganda," an event sponsored by the Sister Schools program.
The March 30 event, held at Magnolia's First Free Methodist Church, featured Ugandan artwork and auctions, along with a sampling of desserts. St. Mary Kevin, a Ugandan primary school, was recognized as a sister institution.
Terry McGill, founder of the Sister Schools program, organized the event. "[Students and teachers] got a chance to see pictures of what is donated in Uganda," he said. Each year, McGill arranges a supply drive to donate school items to Ugandan children and families.
A trip to Uganda in 1988 sparked McGill's interest in exploring what the country has to offer. The initial trip was a part of a sports outreach program for schools and churches, and he visited several schools and met many of the teachers.
"I was so impressed by them," he said of the Ugandan teachers, many of whom were walking around barefoot or wearing tattered clothes. McGill said he was impressed by the efforts educators made to ensure all children received a good education, regardless of income or family background.
As the trip came to a close, McGill said he knew he wanted to help.
When he returned to the United States, he made a presentation to colleagues, and soon after that he inaugurated the Sister Schools program in an effort to bring children together at an international level.
Last summer, McGill said, about 27 children and adults associated with Blaine Middle School took a trip to Uganda to donate supplies to orphaned children and families in need. "It's very concrete and specific to our kids," he said.
McGill said he spent almost an entire year organizing the event and putting it together. He added that he plans to return to Uganda in April to donate more items, including clothing and school supplies.
"That's a huge encouragement to people who struggle every day," he said.
Blaine students also had the opportunity to interact with Ugandan children and teachers during their trip abroad. Students performed in plays, and sang and danced at the orphanages they visited. When the Blaine students returned, they shared their experiences with others.
Part of the video presentation at the Thursday event included photos of Blaine students and teachers interacting with the Ugandan children as they delivered the donated school supplies. "It showed what it's like to be a student in Uganda," McGill said, adding that he plans on organizing future visits to other countries, including El Salvador and Central America.
McGill said he hopes to make The Children of Uganda an annual event. He wants over the next few years to recruit several other schools from around Seattle. So far, a few schools have asked to participate in the annual excursion.
"[Students] have done a phenomenal job of representing the U.S. and Blaine," McGill said.
Stefanie Furer is a freelance education reporter.[[In-content Ad]]
