Rakai-Kooki, Uganda

Ben enjoys a banana at Pius's house.

Ben was part of a group of two adults and four fellow students involved in a five-day youth event in Kampala in July 2002.

The leaders of the group, Les and Heather Gribben, decided to take advantage of their stay in Uganda to visit Pius Muwanga, the boy their daughter Nicola sponsors in Rakai-Kooki Area Development Programme (ADP).

On 1st July, the group drove with the ADP manager to Pius’ school to collect Pius and take him to his home seven kilometres away. The midday African summer heat was one of the first things that impacted Ben.

“Sweat seemed to materialise from every pore in my body without me even trying. The ride in a cramped 4WD wasn’t too inviting either. Overall, however, I think the roughness of the track and the heat of the day helped to add to the experience. It would not have seemed so real and moving if the climate was as comfortable as that of my hometown and if the bumpy track was tarsealed!” says Ben.

Pius’ parents abandoned him when they separated, so Pius now lives with two of his uncles and their families. The visitors presented the young teenager with photos from his sponsors, a soccer ball and a cow. Ben’s school fundraised to pay for the cow and World Vision arranged its purchase.

Families in Rakai-Kooki depend to a large extent on the crops they grow or the animals they raise for both food and income. Pius’ family grows bananas and coffee, and keeps pigs and chickens. The addition of a cow is a boon, as the family will be able to breed from it and also use the milk. The family’s disbelief and delight at receiving such a gift was clear to see.

“Young Pius’ face is a face I will not soon forget,” says Ben.

The group did not go away empty-handed. To the Kiwis’ surprise, Pius and his family presented them with a prize rooster (which became the group’s dinner the following night) and a large bunch of green bananas. This act of hospitality, so generous on the part of the family, deeply touched the visitors.

Ben freely admits that prior to the visit his views on aid agencies and poverty had become rather jaded and complacent, despite prior involvement in World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine. However, the visit to Rakai-Kooki ADP has transformed him.

“I went there with a rather apathetic view on the day, seeing it as more of a field trip than anything more stirring,” says Ben. “However, when I saw the situation these people were in, when I met them face to face, and when I experienced the circumstances and surroundings in which they struggle to survive, I was really impacted and my viewpoints changed.”