Collins Interiors Visits Victory School

Thoughts by Emily Walter

Each time we pulled into the red gates of Victory school, we were greeted by elated children jumping up and down and beaming teachers waving at us. I’d look around at the faces of our group, and I could not decide who was more excited to see whom.

During our week at Victory School, we danced and sang songs and kicked around a soccer ball made of crumpled pieces of paper. We laughed and experienced a new way of worship via foot stomping. We sang “Great is Thy Faithfulness” on a Sunday morning in a dilapidated hospital.

Our group helped work on sponsorship letters with the kids, which provided sweet one on one time and the opportunity to get to know the child in front of you. It gave me chills to tell each child that their sponsor, all the way in America, loves them and is proud of them and cares about their meals and classes. It was a joy to listen to what each child wants to be when they grow up. It was a gift to look into deep brown eyes and believe that they are going places, and squeeze little hands and hope they know this too. It was privilege to hug the people that will help them get there, encouraging their dreams and meeting their basic needs along the way.

We chatted with the teachers about the delights and struggles of daily life and this job. We were grateful to get to pour into those who are pouring into these children daily.

We visited with the administration and shared their enthusiasm about the future of Victory School, and all it can do for the community as a whole. Victory school cares for their kids, staff, and families deeply and fully. The Kamukama foundation thoughtfully and sensitively works to foster sustainable growth for the individuals and entire community of Bwindi to flourish long-term.

We saw poverty and difficult circumstances. The needs are massive and the issues are complicated. Bright children often don’t have a future as bright as they are, because the obstacles are massive. Families are stuck in cycles generations deep and a country wide.

Yet, people with so little by the standards of the world, invited us in and gave us Fanta and biscuits and hard-boiled eggs. We were exposed to a simpler way of living, and saw clearly what is most important, and all that is really needed. We witnessed what daily (hourly at times) dependence on the Lord looks like.

We came home with stories and full hearts and dozens of gorilla drawings. I am so thankful to get to be a part of such special work, alongside extraordinary people. It was and is a joy to love it. We continue to love from afar, mostly through prayer, holding them close to our hearts always. We carry those children with us as we work, pay bills, and walk the dog. And it is the greatest gift and delight.