This is my Story: Part 3 "Beyond the Village: A Journey for Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding."

                                                            This is My Story:Part 1

 Early School Life through War!!!

Once upon a time!! Haha. Well, the story of my life is a very long one. Today is the beginning of a series of "My Story" that I will keep writing when I have the opportunity. Its a reflection on my early school life. 

My education journey began in the mid-1980s, a time when resources were scarce and instability was all too common. I remember writing on the ground because we had no books and no chalkboards for our teachers to use.

When it rained, we huddled under a muddy shelter.

Lunch was unheard of—during breaks, we would wander to nearby homes of our classmates, hoping to find jackfruit hanging from the trees. 

My early memories of school are few, but what followed has left a lasting imprint. As I moved into lower primary school, political tension began to grow. The school leadership opposed my family’s political stance, and it became unsafe for my siblings and me to attend. 

We were forced to transfer to a school farther away, but that was only the beginning of our struggles. Uganda was amid the Obote and Museveni leadership conflict, and the situation escalated after the UPC government won the national elections. Museveni’s forces moved to overthrow the government, and Alice Lakwena emerged, fighting against the newly installed UPM regime.

What this meant for my family was devastating. We were mistakenly categorized as Lakwena supporters, considered rebels against the government. The army began hunting down those they perceived to be against the new regime. One day, as we were at home, a cousin came running to warn us—the military was on its way.

Panic ensued, and we all scattered in different directions, fleeing into the bush. Separated from my parents, my younger brother and I ran to our older sister’s house, far from home. Along the way, we encountered people yelling threats at us, accusing us of being traitors. Some even tried to kill us.

When we finally reached our sister’s house, we saw the military approaching. They beat her and forced her to walk naked out of her home. We were forced to flee again, my brother and I separating from one another as chaos engulfed us. That marked the beginning of a long exile. For over two years, we lived as refugees, displaced, and constantly on the move, separated from loved ones.

Some of my siblings sought refuge in Kenya. Education, at that point, was a distant concern—survival was all that mattered.

Even when we could return to school, it was under the weight of extreme poverty. There were no resources, no scholastic materials. My brothers and I shared a single pencil, dividing our exercise books among us.

I had to sell roasted groundnuts, soya beans, and smoked fish to make ends meet. School was a luxury we could barely afford, and food was often a scarce commodity.

 When I look back, I see the resilience I got from these entrepreneurial skills, but I still think Children do not deserve such a life. We could use other ways to teach them. 

This experience, among many that I will keep sharing, birthed a deep desire in me to see change in my community. 

 We returned home after the war to find our houses burned to the ground, and like many others, we had to rebuild our lives from scratch. Though I lost so many months of school, I returned later on and continued with school amid the poverty. A lot of my classmates dropped out of school and started trading at the Kenya-Uganda border.

I was able to go to secondary school, High school, and, miraculously, college and later on advanced.

 

It was at this point that opportunities in the world started opening up, and I went to Norway. In my one year in Norway (Hald International Center), I encountered a great disorientation as I studied Global development issues. I wondered if there could ever be hope in my community. Read about the Shalom Namutere Project History here. 

Children are always the silent victims of war, bearing the brunt of conflict in ways that often go unseen.

Whether displaced from their homes, separated from their families, or exposed to violence and trauma, they suffer in profound ways.

Their innocence is shattered, education is disrupted, and many are left to grow up too fast in environments filled with fear and uncertainty.

Children pay a price in every conflict, often leaving scars that last a lifetime. It is a reminder of how crucial it is to strive for peace and protect the most vulnerable among us.

These scars are still felt today.

Poverty and insecurity shaped my childhood, but I know that the children growing up today deserve better. Although political insecurity has lessened, poverty remains a persistent challenge in my community.

This is why the vision for Shalom Care School (open to see more) is so close to my heart. 

It’s more than just a school—it’s a beacon of hope. 

I envision a place where children can grow in safety, where they can receive a quality education without the constant shadow of hunger or fear. 

 At Shalom Care School, we’re committed to creating a secure and nurturing environment, ensuring that every child can thrive just as they deserve.

 Follow us on facebook to see more on what we do. Share our story. 

I invite you to join me in the building of the Shalom care school, which already exists.

Countdown to the Shalom Care School Groundbreaking!

We are just a few days away from the groundbreaking ceremony of the Shalom Care School—a significant milestone in our journey to provide a nurturing and empowering environment for our children. This is not just the beginning of new buildings but the continuation of new possibilities and dreams for every child who walks through our doors.

What We Envision:

A safe and loving space where children feel valued and supported.

Quality Education: Classrooms filled with the tools and resources that spark curiosity and encourage learning.

Community Impact: A place where education meets compassion, transforming individual lives and the entire community one child at a time.

As we prepare for this exciting day, we remain deeply grateful for all the support. Contact us at shalomdvp608@gmail.com and know how to give to this project.

Your prayers, encouragement, and contributions have made this dream possible.

Join us as we take this monumental step together! Stay tuned for updates, and let's keep the hope alive for our children's future. Together, we are building a school and a foundation for brighter futures.

We will keep posting ways you can pray for the future of this community. Subscribe to the blog for notifications. Thanks

Robert Edube 

Executive Director and Founder of Shalom Namutere Project. 

Most images illustrate the things mentioned in my story but are not real images of real happenings.