Youth Feature Double Narrative

(Joweria on left)

(Chelsea)

One of the unique facts about HOPE Primary School that I have neglected to mention is that it is the only school for refugees outside of a refugee camp. While it is not assisted by the government, it is recognized. This has most likely been achieved by the growing number of Ugandans attending the school and Jacque’s insistence of separating himself, a refugee, from the school in a public forum. While there are obvious qualms with this approach it is a necessary one it seems, and has led to this school being able to operate as it has thus far. I found myself wondering if intercultural communication and/or education is a part of the school, or if there were issues between refugee students and Ugandans. Initially, when the refugee population outnumbered the Ugandans Jacques mentioned that there were disagreements or conflicts that led to Ugandan children saying, “This is not even your land….you are from Congo…you shouldn’t be here…etc. etc. etc.” There were instances when these problems involved student’s parents who wanted to go to local authorities (despite the police force being very little compared to the 500,000 strong population in Ndejje) for certain conflicts, which would cause obvious problems for refugees. But it seems that there are no obvious issues to Lisa and I upon seeing the students interact, but also there is not much acknowledgement of HOPE’s diversity and potential arenas for stratification. They have a “Debate Day” once a week, but it appears to be more focused on general issues such as school systems, corruption, etc. So I took an opportunity to interview two P6 female students, one Ugandan and one Kenyan (with help of a translator) to get their perspective.

Chelsea Norah
Grade: P6
Age: 11 years old
Nationality: Kenyan

Where are you from in Kenya and when did you move to Ndejje?
CN: I am from a district in central Kenya called Kakamega. I moved here in 2007 so my mother could find work.

What work does your mother do? Did she move here knowing anyone?
CN: My mother still hasn’t found a job but will soon get. She wants to be a tailor. No, she moved here knowing no one.

Do you miss Kenya? Is that where your father is?
CN: I like Kenya more than Uganda and I miss it a lot. I miss my grandmother and cousins. My father works in Sudan. I talk to him on the telephone sometimes but I forget what his work is. I haven’t seen him in three years.

How long did it take you to learn Luganda? Was that difficult? You are so good at English did you learn that at HOPE?
CN: It took me a year to learn Luganda. I also speak Kibukusu and Swahili. In P1 I learned English from my teacher in Kenya so when I came in P3 it was not too hard to read or learn.

Did you find it easy to adjust or be welcomed in Uganda?
CN: It was hard at first. My best friends at school are in Baby Class. But I live next to Sharon (a Ugandan in P6).

What do you like most about HOPE and what do you want to do after school?
CN: I like that the teachers teach us so we can pass (exams). I want to be a bank manager because I see that it’s a good job.

What is your favorite food, football team and music singer?
CN: Chips, Chelsea – because it’s my name, and Esther Wahome – a Ugandan singer

Is there anything you want to say to people reading this?
CN: Tell everyone I’m a good girl.


Joweria Nakijjoba
Grade: P6
Age: 14 years old
Nationality: Ugandan

How many are in your family Joweria…is this your sister (girl in photo that she always minds like a little sister)?
JN: No, this is my friend. I am only one. I live with my mother. My father died in 2000 from malaria.

What work does your mother do?
JN: She sells clothes.

What do you like most about HOPE? I see that you are a great dancer where did you learn how to dance? Is that what you want to do after school?
JN: I like to play with classmates and speak English at school. My friend at another school taught me how to dance, I love it and singing so much. I want to be a nurse after school.

No, I don’t know how to play you’ll have to teach me, it looks fun. How do you like going to school with so many people from different countries? Was it ever confusing for you or strange?
JN: I feel happy and benefit from learning other languages and dances from students from other tribes or countries. At first I did have a problem with some of the Congolese girls because I thought they were talking about me all the time in their language (she gave an example of a classmate she felt didn’t share with her and felt she would only share with her Congolese classmates).

How did you overcome that feeling or problem?
JN: Now because the school is taught in English they (refugee students) don’t use their language as much. So I don’t feel as bad and we are friends.

What is your favorite food, football team and music singer?
JN: Sweet Potatoes, I don’t like football! I like netball…I’m want to teach you how to play. And I like the Ugandan singer Bugebe Wilson.

Is there anything you’d like to tell your Internet readers?
JN: Tell them girls should take care of themselves. Because men encroach on young girls after school. Know that AIDS is a killer disease and try to avoid men that take advantage.