Gifts in the Midst of Struggle : Spotlight on Simmons : Simmons College

Simmons social work student Amy Myers holding the hand of an orphan at the Nsambya Babies' Home

Gifts come in different packages, and they all tell a different story. Some of these stories have been captured in photos on display at the Simmons School of Social Work through the month of February. The exhibit, "Gifts in the Midst of Struggle," showcases the work of 10 social work students who traveled to Uganda last summer with Professor Hugo Kamya.

The study-abroad course's focus was to study Uganda's social problems, including the impact of HIV/AIDS, and to explore the cultural context of delivering human services in a developing country.

Kamya said the photographs demonstrate the natural beauty of Uganda's people especially the eyes of children who continue to stir inspiration in others.

"The faces of the people of Uganda tell stories of pain, war, hunger, disease and devastation," said Kamya. "They also echo stories of hope, love, recovery and resilience, and speak about connection, healing, sharing, kindness, respect, hope, and miracles. The experiences our students shared with the people of Uganda are the true gifts that connect all human spirit in the midst of struggle."

The students worked directly with key organizations that have been central to Uganda's social and economic development, culminating in reciprocal gift-giving between the students and the people of Uganda.

Here are some student reflections and photos from the exhibit:

"While I am holding Baby Vanessa in my arms and Milly is leaning on my leg, I look at Hellen, Eddy and Erick. The faces of these children are talking to us—telling use their stories. After spending time with the family I decided, with the help of my family and friends to sponsor the five children and their Grandmother through the Makula fund."
—Simmons social work student Barbara Ferrari-Wolfe

At the BeadForLife organization near Kampala, Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper, into beautiful beads. This beautiful resource becomes income, food, medicine, school fees, and hope. It is a small miracle. The members of the organization are women with children living on less than two dollars a day. Many have fled the war in Northern Uganda. Others live with HIV or other serious health challenges. They are incredibly welcoming, hard working, resilient, and creative.

Simmons social work student Cory Hloska brought a Polaroid camera and generously gave out photos to the children in front of AIDS, Widows, and Orphans Family Support organization (AWOFS)

Simmons social work student Charuta Pednekar holding Baby Caroline at Nsambya Babies' Home

"I had the great fortune to meet and spend time with teachers and students at the Kibuye School, in a Kampala suburb. With a student to teacher ratio of 100 to 1, the school operates with out paper, copiers, computer and with just a few books. Many of these children's uniforms are torn and tattered. Teachers, who are often paid just a portion of their salaries because parents or the government haven't paid school fees, sometimes can't afford to send their own children to school. Yet, last year, these Kibuye school singers and dancers won the top prize for primary school petitioners at the national competition. Music, dance, and theater, which are traditional tools for education and communication, are now being used to educate Ugandans about HIV/AIDS."
—Simmons social work student Judith Sandler

Simmons social work students at the Equator

TASO performing group, (The AIDS Support Organization in Entebbe), demonstrate the power of music and dance

"This picture is of children from the Makula Breakfast Club. Makula means "gift" in the Lugandan language. These children come each morning before school to get breakfast, which is a cup of porridge. This thick starchy nourishment helps them get through the day at school. While we were in Uganda, we would also bring loaves of bread each day to hand out to the children. It was incredible to see how thankful these children were over a single slice of bread...it was also very humbling.

"The colorful shirts that they are all wearing are from a fundraiser with Peabody Youth Soccer, in conjunction with The Center School of Peabody, Mass. Together the groups collected 270 soccer shirts, 70 soccer balls, 50 pairs of cleats and other such items that were shipped to Uganda. In addition, The Center School raised over $500 from the Change for Change program, where children brought in spare change each day for about one month in order to help the children of Uganda. As the excitement about Uganda progressed throughout The Center School, a Brownie troop from The Center School raised an additional $280 towards the cause. All money raised went directly towards The Makula Fund and will help feed 16 children breakfast this year. I am so happy, proud and thankful for all of their contributions."
—Simmons social work student Paula Garrant

Simmons social work student Kristina Nicastro holding Baby Sheba at the Nsambya Babies' Home

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Gifts in the Midst of Struggle

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