Displaced Children Determined

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
December 22, 2003
Posted to the web December 22, 2003

By Hellen Lakaa
Kampala
Despite of what people said, seen or heard in accordance to the situation in
Gulu, certain amazing things are happening that some people find it hard to
believe but it's the truth.
There are two categories of people in Gulu, those who stay in camps and the
others who stay at home but sleep in town or churches that's in the verandas
around town areas.
Children who are born and brought p in this situation, believe that that's the
way of living and they try to do what other children do in other parts of the
country and that's preps at night despite the situation.
When young boys and girls go to sleep, they move with pieces of chalk, charcoal
for those who couldn't get pieces of chalk.
They wait when the movement had reduced and the noise has also reduced in the
areas they are taking refuge then they start serious preps. They do Mathematics
and Science which includes drawing and naming of all the parts in science
diagrams.
They practice the two subjects during night hours and English and Social
Studies (SST) which needs more calm environment is read during day time at
school.
The hours spent at school can't be enough for all the four subjects to be
covered.
In other parts of the country, lessons begin at 8:00am unlike in Gulu where
lessons begin at some times 10:00am.
In most of the primary schools because children who sleep in areas around town
stay far away and going back home then organising to come to school takes more
time.
At the end of the day, they reach school very late but are not stopped from
attending lessons since the administration knows and understands the situation.

   

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