The story behind the Joan Jordan School is the story of a long-awaited journey to Africa. One of the many blessings of my life is to have discovered Fields of Life and to have gotten to know its founder, Reverend Trevor Stevenson. My involvement with FOL has brought me to know the joy of service in a way for which I can take absolutely no credit. Thankfully, I wrote extensively about my entire trip to preserve the many experiences, impressions, and feelings. I was enraptured by the awesome beauty and reduced to tears by the mind-numbing pain and suffering experienced by so many people. I had a crash course in getting to the core of what is important in life. I saw things words cannot describe ‒ life in its most rudimentary form and smiles on children's faces that brought tears of joy to my eyes. (To view my photos of the trip, go to the Joan Jordan Primary School Gallery.)
Day 1
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A few words to pass on from my visit: The fine hotel last night was Trevor's way of giving me the gift
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The streets were a teeming mass of poor people moving in every direction. The dress is colorful and much is carried on the heads of women. We drove about ten miles out of town to visit our first school. We might have just as well been a presidential contingent for the welcome we received; pure energy all about, drumming to get the heart racing and the smiling faces of children. I found it embarrassing at first to be on the receiving end of so much attention and outpouring of affection. Then I remembered that I am here to represent the many whose generosity makes these schools possible. So, I took in the affection in trust for all of you.
The eyes and the mind of the developed world are left in a state of total confusion when confronted with the raw and ragged face of this impoverished place. I found myself unable to look for too long at a little boy whose sad face seemed to ask "why". The singing of the children was uplifting and they showed us just how much the gift of their school meant to them. Looking at the six-foot tall teacher called Anita I thought to myself this is what service is all about.
We went to our hotel on the shore of Lake Victoria, and it was still only 10.30am in the morning. We had five minutes to drop our suitcases before beginning our whistle stop barnstorming tour of four countries in ten days. The journey to our next school visit was the most challenging journey I have ever taken. We travelled in a van without air conditioning on roads that were pot holes joined together for miles and miles on end.
The hilly countryside of Burundi passed by for hours. The subsistence life of the peasant population made me promise to never complain about anything ever again. Seeing the scores of women living as beasts of burden under the scorching African sun opened my eyes to how many have to live in what seems to me like a very unfair world.
The third school was in a remote area at the end of a twenty mile bone crushing track scraped out of the earth. I was eager to interact with the large group of children. What happened was totally amazing. The minute I stepped out of the van I was surrounded by a huge group of boys and girls. It was obvious that they had not seen many white men. Their excitement burst forth in an explosion of sound that filled up the valley around us. I imagined how Bono must feel every time he goes out in public. This school provides the only real hope for this entire region. If I could somehow transmit the feeling of gratitude these children exude I believe many of you would be moved to do whatever you had to do to create such a beacon of hope. These children asked me for a soccer ball. I only wish I could have given them one right then.
It's now mid-afternoon and we are on our way to visit another school. I will wrap up for now by saying that this is only my first day and I feel my heart is already filled with gratitude to be able to play a small part in bringing hope to these deserving people. I think a warm shower and a cold beer will be elevated to a whole new level once we make it back through the 60 miles of torture trail we had to travel to get here. Back to top.
Day 2
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The second day began before
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Burundi is just reawakening from a 14-year civil war. It's like a country that bears all the scars of a vicious street brawl. The economy seems almost entirely made up of subsistence farming. People farm without any mechanization. They haul, drag and carry items on either side of the dirt roads. By the time we arrived to visit school #5, I was getting to terms with the terrain and the condition of the roads. I'm still amazed by the huge amount of people who carry their produce to town using their bicycles. It's a sight to see them flying down hilly grades at death defying speeds laden down with bananas and other produce. This is a densely populated country with 81 percent living below the poverty level.
Hope School is still in the early stages as is the kitchen and staff housing. It is part of a large compound that has an orphanage. Visiting orphans is an experience that moved me greatly. Looking at the faces of these little innocents, I immediately think of my two little ones. It's moving in a way I cannot describe. I know it brings home the true blessing of knowing that we can change this situation by taking simple and measurable steps to bring hope to these little ones. My lasting thought was how much it will mean to my sons when they learn what they are a part of.
Our next school is only one and a half hours away. This school is being officially handed over today in an elaborate ceremony. Providing a school is akin to providing a door into the future. A future that beacons with hope for the many who welcome it for the miracle it is. I feel fortunate to be teamed with this group of people. I am learning from them that service is about being willing to risk as well as putting your own personal requirements second. The work is so powerful that the sacrifice becomes part of the reward.
The final event of Day 2 was the opening ceremony. The journey there was another two hours each way. Not having eaten since our 6am breakfast, my tummy wanted to make a serious protest but this team would not have entertained it. The site for this secondary school was carved out of a steep hillside. It inspired awe at the sheer will and determination of Fields of Life mission to serve those most in need. The ceremony was very moving. The children sang and danced and the speeches were long. You could see that this day would be memorialized by high ceremony. I do not think I have felt a single moment of worry or concern since I arrived in Africa. The work I feel blessed to be a small part of leaves no space for any doubt or worry.
Its getting late in the day and I will be very glad of a bite to eat once we finally get to our hotel. Tomorrow will give us a break from the travel as we are guests of the President of Burundi at the presidential palace. The funds you have so generously donated are making the most difference for good and I want you to know that you have changed more lives than you will ever know. Back to top.
Days 3 to 5
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We departed Burundi before 8am and headed across the mountains on our way to the border. There was not a single straight stretch of road and we wound our way through the patchwork of tilled mountainsides. |
Every inch is under cultivation and this sight stretches out as far as the eye can see. We arrived in Kigali (capital of Rwanda) in just under seven hours without any food stops. I have learned to grab whatever I can from breakfast to tide me over on such journeys. The contrast between Burundi and Rwanda could not be more evident. Rwanda has pulled itself up by its boot straps after almost imploding under the dark shadows of genocide. The roadside memorials are a stark reminder of these dark days when one million people were slaughtered by what can only be described as the forces of utter depravity and insanity.
The roads reflect the new vision for the future. It is neat and tidy and manicured roadsides greet the visitor. Arriving in the bustling capital I saw my first traffic light. We stayed in a small hotel overlooking the city. I could have happily gone to bed, but of course there was a dinner meeting prearranged with a senior minister of the cabinet. What has impressed me the most is the level at which FOL operates. In every country it operated in connection with the full cooperation and collaboration with the government. The minister gave us a comprehensive account of what is happening not only in Rwanda but throughout East Africa. Although there are many challenges (reports arrive to us daily of the fighting in the Congo), there are many good things occurring as well. It was exciting to be in this high level of communication with those who are shaping the future of Africa.
We were asked to meet with the Minister of Education at 7.30am this morning. We were told this man is one of the main architects of Rwanda's future. Sleep has fallen substantially in my order of priorities (most of you know of my great ability to sleep).
The days I have spent here in Africa have been the most meaningful days of late. When Trevor invited me to see firsthand the work that FOL is doing, I could not have imagined the effect it would have on me. Driving to the Department of Education building, we saw firsthand the new development bursting into life. New state of the art buildings were everywhere. It was an impressive sight indeed. What was also impressive was the fact that business begins at 7am. The zeal of the president, Paul Kagame to stamp out corruption sends a powerful message from the very top. We were ushered in promptly at 7.30 to meet with the minister. This well dressed minister literally blew us away in the hour we spent with him. He laid out the President's vision for Rwanda. In a word is to invest heavily in education. Their plans are to be the leading light of Africa by 2020. This man has all the connections to make this possible. He has been to Los Angeles, hung out with Quincy Jones and received many requests from US companies to set up business in Kilgali.
It was refreshing to hear such a positive view after my three days in Burundi. I could not help but note that this city offers opportunities a plenty from a business perspective. When the minister laid out a blueprint for a University to be built by an Oklahoman university, we could see just how the progress was taking shape. I was glad for Trevor's sake to see the work of FOL in Rwanda being wrapped into the vision for the future. I know that is what keeps this work alive, the belief that investing in education is the only way to grow the leadership from the cradle to the halls of political influence. In many respects I have already witnessed the entire lifecycle of what FOL has been able to do. This of itself fuels the passion to do the challenging work these selfless people do. In every way, every day ends with the powerful realization that you are effecting change in people's lives, providing hope and in a word - changing the world.
We are closing in on today's main event, opening the school (Hope Primary School), underwritten by two brothers from Ireland. This will be our sixth school visit. Suddenly, the three hour journey doesn't feel like any big deal at all. Back to top.
Days 6 and 7
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Today is Thanksgiving and I will celebrate
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The singing and dancing are so powerful and everyone is thanked and acknowledged for their role. We were presented with gifts from the local community. Our accommodation overlooked a lake and was a stone's throw from the Congo border. We heard the rebels were active ten miles away.
One of the most difficult things to get used to in the third world is that dining can be a real series of surprises. Sometimes the menu items even require a trip to market by bicycle. With the long days of travel, we arrive at the table famished with hunger. This night was a real challenge as the waiter felt we might eat him and he retreated into the kitchen out of sight. A bowl of soup never tasted so good when it arrived two hours later!
Day 6 dawned and I knew it was one everyone was dreading. We travelled across the Ugandan border and to our destination at Fort Portal. Previously, the longest road trip I have ever travelled was to San Francisco. That included multiple stops and plenty of food stops. We departed at 7.30am and arrived in Fort Portal at 8pm. We had to delay crossing the border and stopped once for a case of water and a quick bite of food. Of the 500 plus kilometer journey, we may have had 150 miles of tarmac, potholed road. The rest was winding dirt tracks with ruts big enough to hide an elephant.
This FOL team is the best company a man could ever want. They operate like a trained army unit moving forward all the time. The stories and the laughter passed the hours as we saw the Ugandan tea fields pass by. The highlight of the journey was travelling through a game preserve. The baboons acted like customs inspectors, coming right up to our vehicle and peering knowingly into it. I will not forget how we came across a massive African Elephant not ten feet away from us. He was really majestic looking.
When we arrived in Fort Portal, Evelyn Komuntale had dinner prepared for us. We enjoyed a home cooked meal, but nobody wanted to sit down. Fort Portal is Evelyn's home town and she was very excited that we had come to visit the Paul Devlin Academy.
I was so glad to find the comfortable bed that FOL director Kennedy Nkolenta had arranged for us. The mountains of the Moon Hotel are a place I could easily have visited for a week, but once again our day began before 7am. Finally I would visit one of the schools I had come to Africa to see on your behalf. I have formed the habit of spending a few minutes outside to greet the African dawn and collect my thoughts and be thankful for the wonderful experience I am having here. This morning I reflected on the weeks we spent raising the funds for the Devlin school. My thoughts kept turning to those of you who made sure this school became a reality. The challenges we faced pale in comparison to how proud I felt this morning to celebrate what we were able to achieve. This school will outlast all of us and I am warmed by the knowledge that my friends make a difference. We joined Evelyn and followed the windy road to the site of the school.
What I saw brought tears to my eyes. Perched on a hillside the Paul Devlin Academy overlooks the mountains that separate Uganda from Congo. The breeze blew gently and the peaceful silence seemed to pay its respect to Paul's life. I can tell members of Paul's family that they would be very proud to see what FOL has built. One of the biggest schools FOL has ever built, it will soon be at the center of a campus that will include dormitories, medical clinic and sports fields. I cannot tell you how proud I am to observe this life changing work.
The buzz of excitement among the visitors creates what I can only refer to as inspirational energy. The fulfillment of a dream raises awareness to a new level and directs our attention to press on in this work. When Evelyn came to me three years ago with her dream to create a place of learning for the children of her town, I could see how deeply committed she was to holding on to that dream. You have made that dream a reality by your generosity. The elements that confluenced to bring this dream to reality are the stuff with which dreams are made. I don't think you could dream this up . . . People in Laguna Beach joining with an Irish Organization (FOL), and an African princess who needed help, partnering together to create a living memorial to an Irishman whose life made such a difference . . . Ah, that is worth all the wear and tear on my body.
There was one surprise arranged for me that left me feeling very touched and moved. My boys Manus and Patrick have an adopted brother and sister here in Africa. Tresor and Aileen are sponsored through OTA. Before departing today, Evelyn arranged to have our children brought two hours from where they live to meet me. It was a surprise I felt honored to receive. I promised both of them that I will bring my boys to meet them.
With that exciting morning under our belts we said goodbye to Fort Portal and began another long (5+ hours) to Kampala. I wish you all a peaceful Thanksgiving. I feel blessed to be able to spend mine here in Africa. Back to top.
Day 8
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The journeys end . . .Today marked the end of a long journey. We left Kampala early before seven in a vain attempt to beat the morning traffic. Traffic is not a good way to describe the rolling mass of transportation vying for what must surely be the poorest excuse for a road I have yet seen. Driving requires skills I could never acquire. |
We arrived at the David and Mary Young School. Every location is different and what made this one remarkable was the journey through thousands of acres of sugar cane. All of a sudden, the schools become visible like a great oasis at the crest of a hill. Lake Victoria is visible behind it in the distance. This school has matured with lovely landscaping and is so well kept that it boasts of the great pride the teachers have in their school.
We were greeted by the children outside ready to sing for us. We spent an hour there listening to the many stories of how children had achieved some of the highest grades in the surrounding area. This school also benefited from one of the 46 wells we have been able to drill through wells of Life. The joy on the faces of the women who are spared the 5km walk was very evident.
I could hardly contain myself as we travelled to the site of what will become The Joan Jordan School. I must admit this site has been sitting in my mind's eye for a long time now. I wondered what it will be like, what will the children look like when we finally arrive. I'm sure its no coincidence but the children were wearing green uniforms when we arrived. The site was specially chosen at my request to be close to a medical center. My sister was a nurse and I felt she would really feel very connected to a school that had access to her beloved profession. What I have come to know is that FOL goes out of its way to organize the many details that go together to make a school work well. The builders were on site waiting for the corner brick to be laid so they could continue the work towards completion in the rigorous 16-week time frame it takes to construct a school.
The bricks were waiting in large mountains, all made by hand. With a very large and excited group looking on I took my trowel in hand and laid that corner brick firmly in place. A thousand thoughts rushed through my head coupled with all the emotions that could fit into my very proud heart. I could sum it all up by simply saying that I thought it was the most beautiful way for Joan to be remembered. We toured the site, saw the location for the Jeff and Mary Sewell Well and the location of the teacher housing. Finally, we spent time at the current school house. When you see the pictures you will see what I mean. A shack covered in sticks and loose hay, the most desolate looking building prone to flooding. In one moment we could plainly see the leap of faith these amazing people had taken when they pleaded for the gift of a new school. We played soccer with the children before saying goodbye to the school site with over twenty bricklayers busily making progress.
We were now almost finished our long tour of schools. The last school proved to be a most memorable surprise, the Tom and Margaret School. I was not prepared for the ceremony that waited because I was the guest of honor at a ceremony that would do justice to a head of state. For two and a half hours we enjoyed the singing I have come to love as well as the most inspirational and moving speeches. We left this school in a complete wave of euphoria knowing that over the past ten days we had witnessed what will move Africa into a place of success and leadership. All this is a result of the education that is being provided at schools constructed with funds donate by FOL supporters.
Sadly, I had only moments to say goodbye as my driver was waiting patiently to take me to Entebbe airport. This is certainly not goodbye as I know deep down I have received more from Africa than I could ever give. It's a good feeling to take with me. Goodbye from Africa.
I hope you have enjoyed my accounts. Back to top.
Nick
