Think
to yourself, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind when someone tells
you, “let’s change Uganda.” Well, for most of us it’s a quick mental tour of
the 1,000 problems that Uganda currently faces, from the people who are engrossed in
the love for power (no names mentioned), to the ever rampant corruption, the
poor policy and then the roads, buildings in the road
reserves, up to that person who can’t keep quiet when you need some rest.
Well,
through all this, we fail to truly see and understand what we really want changed,
let alone how to tackle this elusive challenge of rewriting the way things are
done. What most of us fail to write out or notice is that a change of
oneself is the greatest change and step towards transforming this great nation.
YES, it’s true that often we fail to realize that Uganda is not made great by
the wide tarmac roads, sky scrapers or arcades, but by the quality of life its
residents live, i.e. Uganda is you and I.
Well
once you realize this important fact, i believe it’s only then that you begin
the great journey of transformation. Notice one thing, most of the great
transformations and shifts in economies and nations all start with single
individual initiatives, be it the frustrated Tunisian man who tried to burn
himself thereby starting the Arab revolution or Mother Teresa in Calcutta
helping with developmental efforts. The key here lies in the famous words of John
F. Kennedy, "it’s not what your country can do for you, but rather what
you can do for your country.”
QUESTION:
How then does one change this country?
This
question has baffled me for quite a while. I do believe that it is not
enough to whine and wallow about the hurdles Uganda faces. The solution can’t
be in fruitless arguments and political debates in bars and on Facebook. Furthermore,
I don’t think we should rally behind political candidates who will put their
interests first, at the first taste of power. It’s the power of you and I together
that will take us forward. Lets find a way.
About
a month after i had this mental debate, a 14 year old boy walked into a
shop in which i happened to be seated. He was dressed in a white school shirt
and khaki pants. As he walked in, it was evident from his face that he
was broken and deficient of hope. This was at the end of the first term of
the school year. I stopped the boy and bothered to inquire about his situation.
He narrated to me a rather touching story, but naturally everyone has
a story, i thought to myself. In short, he was looking for transport back to
Mbarara after both his parents failed to pick him up due to their demise in the
Somali war. So, i asked the child what he wanted out of life and what he
thought was his way forward. He said that he had lost everything and most probably
wouldn’t go back to school so, he would have to find a job in Mbarara to
sustain him. I then asked for his school report out of sheer curiosity and what i
saw surprised me, not merely because he was a straight “A” student, but at how
little it could take to keep him in school. So, i spoke to him in an effort
to show him that not all was lost.
On
further analysis of the whole situation, i had a light bulb moment. Keeping
this boy in school would not require a lot, especially if i got a few people to
give at least 5000shs a month to his cause. A term later, the boy is still in
school with a bright future. I was happy but not really content. I realized
that there are many bright minds that just need a little nudge.
I
have therefore started the “CHANGE UGANDA TOGETHER” project which identifies
bright minds about to drop out of school and then organizes a person, a group
of people or an organisation to keep this child in school if he can sustain
good grades. People would not only contribute money, but time to talk to and help
someone achieve more. This, people, is one great way to change Uganda so
please join my cause. It doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary but an
offer to talk to these students, encourage and advise them.
UGANDANS
DEVELOPING UGANDA
