Isaac

From time to time, people have asked "what do people need, how can we contribute," and in the beginning, I honestly didn't know.  Since then projects have emerged and you have all been so generous.  You've been exceedingly generous to me by keeping me afloat with coffee, chocolate, food goodies, puzzles, books, cosmetics - an embarrassment of riches for which I am deeply grateful.  Others have donated art supplies, books, puzzles for kids, pillowcases and sewing materials for the reading project and the pillowcase dress initiative!   

So, I don't quite know how to present the story of Isaac, except that it is a story worth telling. He's an extraordinary young man and the first person I've felt compelled to help in this way. So here goes.

This is the story of Isaac.   

Isaac is a young man with the potential for a bright future.  I met him rather against my will a few weeks ago.    You see, I was doing my best to ignore this young man who walked into Coffee Hut as three of us – all Americans – all at different tables – were taking advantage of Coffee Hut’s power and Internet access.  It was late afternoon on a Sunday.

We tried to avoid eye-contact with this young man, because we are so conditioned to being approached for funds and we cannot help everyone.  People follow us home, present us with letters of woe (some of which are real, but many are fabrications), demand “you give me 2000 (shillings), you buy me…, you loan me…."  So for better or for worse – we are conditioned to throw the wall around us quickly.    There is a fine line between being here to help and  just handing over money. But that’s another discussion and one which could rage forever – and not my point. 

This, however, is a story worth telling….  Odong Isaac, a clean cut and obviously shy teenager approached the young woman  (Amber) closest to the entrance of this semi-enclosed dining area and very timidly asked if she could help him check something on the computer.   After much discussion and clarification, it became apparent that Isaac needed to see if his e-mail address was still current, because he needed an e-mail address to be able to seek a new sponsor for school.  As the story unfolded and Amber tried numerous approaches to validating the e-mail, nothing worked.  Seems he had created the e-mail years ago when he first started the process of finding sponsorship, but not owning a computer or having access to one via school on an internet café, the address had evidently expired.  Anyway, it was “not there.” 

I want to make it clear that Isaac never asked for money, nor was this a veiled attempt to obtain any.  His story spilled out in bits and pieces as Amber kept asking him questions.  Turns out he’d had a sponsor when he was attending a school that ended up being corrupt in their handling of funds, so had to seek schooling (and funding) elsewhere. He is now at Charity College just outside of Gulu and it takes some real doing for Isaac to get to town, but he needed computer access. As the conversation continued, Isaac said in frustration:  “I'm smart you know,  I have the grades to go to college, but I can’t take my exams, because  I can’t pay the fee.”  It was apparent that Isaac is a smart, very shy young man and we began to listen.  As Amber and Isaac talked, I was e-mailing someone who knows about access to sponsorships.  He never responded… But Amber got some more information from Isaac and got the ball rolling.

She sent an email to friends and family, set up a donate button on her PayPal account and friends donated enough to get Isaac through this round of fees.  When she went to the school she was greeted by smiles and kudos for Isaac.  They beamed as they shared that Isaac is “one of our best pupils [and]  is one of the FEW boys whom has never had a discipline problem.  The only thing holding him back is his financial situation.”   He’s smart, makes excellent grades, is a whiz at chemistry and physics and an artist as well.  (An example of his work follows).  Isaac, like so many Northern Uganda kids, has no real family to help – his mother sells sugar and cooking oil to help him.  He works when he can, only going to classes a few days a week – but still makes superior grades and is known in his school as “a real good boy!”

Amber discovered that  400,000 shillings (about $160 US) was standing between Isaac and his exams, although a total of $330 US was outstanding on his account.  Her friends had come up with more that that and she paid his fees – all without Isaac knowing. When she presented him with the receipt, Isaac didn’t understand at first, but when he did, he pulled up his shirt collar to try to hide his face, he was so overcome with emotion.  But really, this is Amber’s story to tell, so here is the link to her blog:  http://ugamber.blogspot.com/.  Amber is volunteering here until November so we are exploring ways to continue  Isaac’s education, because Isaac really DOES have what it takes to go to school and  succeed.

Amber has established a PayPal link for donations where people can contribute easily.  The link follows: (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RZYSSUTTA4888).  If this appeals to you,  100% of what is contributed goes directly to Isaac's school fees.  As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I am prohibited from collecting funds directly, but this avenue can work until we determine a more long range plan.

I’m sharing this story in case any of you is part of an organization/church that has been looking for a project  that will be personal and “change a life.”  Or you might have some other ideas on how to move forward and get something sustainable going. Isaac “is in Senior 4 (S4) right now, which is the stopping point for most students.  If you are smarter than the average bear you proceed on to S5 and S6; and then on to university.”  

So, in concert with Amber, I am spreading the word.  There are too many stories in this country to share and too many to even begin to address.  But we can help one and by helping one, we help many.  I am donating book royalties (a pittance I have to admit) and will do what I can to help continue this process after Amber leaves in November.  A sponsor would be idea, but small ($10 –$20) was what paid his fees the last time (we’re talking about $160 American total per semester) and can help keep things going.

Feel free to e-mail me directly (nwesson@focusonspace.com) if you want to brainstorm.  And thanks for reading.