Uganda, a country of 33 million inhabitants in East Africa, attracted our interest this summer because of a long-standing love affair between the Greeks and the inhabitants of this country. I had the pleasure of being hosted at the missionary centre of the capital Kampala, where the Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Uganda is also based, with the Metropolitan of Uganda, Rev. Iona, and at the missionary centre Degeya-Bombo, with Fr. John Kibouka in charge, through the mediation of our Brotherhood, which I thank. I also toured the villages on the southern border of Uganda along Lake Victoria, where the sources of the Nile River, an important attraction of the region, are located. The first images that visitors capture of this country are contradictory. It is a beautiful natural landscape with tropical vegetation. The picture it gives you of the living conditions of its population is one of squalor, deprivation and poverty. In this blessed land with its low cultural and living standards, efforts are being made to reshape it. Here the Greek contribution is present through the organization of the Orthodox Church and contributes to the evolution of the life of this society. Projects are being carried out aimed at the education of children with primary, secondary and high schools and boarding schools, health centres and hospitals for their care and Orthodox churches for their spiritual care and guidance. According to the statements of Metropolitan Rev. Iona, the spiritual and social work of Orthodoxy is now proceeding at a faster pace. Of interest is the response given by the students after a survey conducted in their schools with the question: “What are the most desirable and valuable goods in your life?” Answer: “Faith and education.” From an early age children in Uganda are very well aware that the only levers pushing them towards progress and the future are faith in God and education. We were often reiterated to convey: ” a big thank you to Greece and the Greeks, because without their help, we alone could not survive and exist.” They made us feel that our visit to their country alone gave them courage and strength to continue their difficult struggle for survival.
We took satisfaction from the bright faces of people full of joy and gratitude, from the smiles of children who are given the opportunity to go to school, to study, to be educated and to be able to go through life with dignity and respect.
Certainly the road is long and many things are still missing, as many schools do not have doors, windows, desks, desks, blackboards. Nevertheless, learning is taking place and progress is being made under adverse conditions.
Leaving the country, I was still accompanied by the children’s endless smiles and the look in their eyes with their big, warm, expressive eyes. The children of Uganda have shown us the way, it is up to us to follow it.
