Songs of Joy at the End of 2008
By Faridah Akuju
Kampala, Uganda
January 16, 2009
Faridah with one of the Ariel Children during the Christmas Party at Jinja Hospital. |
2008, my first year at the Foundation, was indeed a remarkable year. Even though dealing with HIV/AIDS among youth in Uganda was my area of specialty in school, I barely knew anything about pediatric AIDS until my first day at the Foundation.
I experienced the perfect ending to this amazing year on December 20, 2008. I was invited to participate in the end-of-year Christmas party for the Ariel Children’s Club — a support group for children affected by HIV — in Uganda’s Jinja district.
The morning of the party, beautiful rhythms of Christmas songs echoed at a distance as the Foundation vehicle maneuvered its way towards the district hospital, where the children had gathered.
When we got inside, I wondered to myself why all these children had such bright faces on, and I searched around the room for Santa Claus. Then I realized with surprise that the children’s faces were actually lit up by our arrival; the Foundation staff members are like Santa Claus to these children. We bring unconditional love, care, and a sense of belonging — a rare Christmas present for the members of the Jinja Ariel Children’s Club.
We were treated to a couple of games and activities with the children, which included busting balloons, dancing, singing, and sharing experiences. One of the highlights of the day was little four-year-old Nakimuli (whose name means “Flower”), who came to entertain us. As she fumbled with the words to the rhyme, “Baba black sheep,” Nakimuli reminded me of myself in my kindergarten days, when I too fumbled with the words to the rhyme.
I was impressed with Nakimuli’s courage and the fact that she stood in front of all of us so confidently. I would expect a little girl of that age to be very shy. But I guess I was wrong — even four-year-olds have voices that can be heard.
Little Nakimuli doing the “Baba black sheep” rhyme during the Christmas party. |
In little Nakimuli, I saw a future spokesperson, and she made me think about a famous quote by Elizabeth Glaser:
“It is unthinkable and grotesque that we make the same mistake over and over again. There should be an uproar of children shouting, 'What about me?' But they often can't speak and so their plight goes unnoticed until an outraged parent decides to speak out.”
Faridah Akuju, administrative/communications officer at the Foundation’s Uganda office, joined the Foundation a year ago. The permanent smile she wears has made her famous among children in various Ariel Clubs in Uganda. Faridah has experience with many different organizations, including the Embassy of Ireland and the Africa Medical Research Foundation (AMREF). She is proud to be contributing to the lives of HIV/AIDS-affected and -infected children in Uganda.