Tuesday, April 5, 2011
We arrived at the Masooli School and were once again greeted as we got out of our van. The dancing and drums were not in full force like the day before. The students who would be welcoming Her Royal Highness, Queen Sylvia, were busy with last minute practice.
We wore our aqua blue SEENAH shirts and were once again swept away and escorted onto campus by the sea of pink uniformed school children.
The huge outdoor assembly in honor of Her Royal Highness meant that the students would have their tables and benches aligned on the lawn for a good view of the festivities.
Since Queen Sylvia was coming to visit, there were many people from the community in attendance. Her Royal Highness supports SEENAH's work in Uganda and has visited Cathy (our leader) in Dubai before. Her Royal Highness is impressed with the work at the Masooli School.
Seated along the campus, many community members enjoyed the festivities, particularly our dance.
Students were happy to see us again after we had spent so much quality time together the day before.
Queen Sylvia arrived and the children danced to the drumming as they helped her make her way onto campus. Rosie's close friend from the day before, Johanna and Bella's friend Gloria were two of the girls with the honor of dancing for the Queen upon her arrival. Later, Gloria would make a speech.
The Royal Arrival was a very special moment and one we will not soon forget.
Johanna dancing in front of Queen Sylvia and later Cathy greets Her Royal Highness.
Queen Sylvia was given a tour of the campus to see all of the ways that the school is changing and improving. Special emphasis was spent on explaining the sustainability concept embodied by the brick makers, the food storage, better bathrooms, water tanks and the new health clinic. Her Royal Highness was impressed with the progress and at times, misty eyed with joy and pride at what is being accomplished.
Marie leads our warm-up and readies the visiting performers. We decided that we should perform a dance for the school children, the community and Her Royal Highness. The audience really appreciated our efforts but could not help but chuckle at our moves when we attempted traditional steps.
Still, we did earn some dance respect and more than a few high fives for the effort.
The Masooli children then took over the program and showed us how it was done.
The traditional dances reminded us all of the rich culture being reinforced and preserved at the school.
The Queen not only toured the facilities, but she spoke to the community. Her speech was one of many commemorating the day. Queen Sylvia also listened as many students explained the importance of funding, a school they could rely upon and the way education would forever change their lives.
Bella found her way to Cathy's lap and the seat next to Her Royal Highness, Queen Sylvia.
As the ceremonies ended, we joined in for one more dance between cultures.
It was a dance that filled us all with hope,
a dance of laughter and joy-
under the warm African sun.
As we danced, we were all moving to the beats and enjoying the rhythms.
I felt connected- through dance- to the people, our hosts, sharing their world with us. And I hoped we would return to Masooli School on another trip to see our new friends again.
It was truly a magical day.
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