PROM !!

October 13th was prom! We got special tickets delivered to us (below). In the morning, we went to the auditorium to pray for the candidates. Dr. Tim and Mama Janice both addressed the candidates and encouraged them. Dr. Tim reminded them that their test scores do not define them and do not touch their standing with the Lord. The tests are important, but they're not everything. Mama Janice was talking about all the people at RG who are resources for the students if they need help studying, and she even mentioned that "auntie Abby" was helping Denis with biochem a few days ago and would be happy to help in any way. It was cute and unexpected, and Denis looked at me and smiled. Also, all the kids at RG call adults "auntie" or "uncle". I think that that is partially because their whole culture is very family oriented and partially out of respect for their elders. 

After the prayers, I helped some of the older boys take sound equipment and chairs to the dental center, which is where the celebration was going to take place. I had a dress on, so I didn't want to swing my leg over the trailer, but the boys insisted that I just grab their hands. They lifted me right up and over the side of the trailer💪😂.

A group of us helped the candidates set up and get the dental center ready. 

We came back to take pictures at 3:00pm, but some of the candidates didn't show up until 3:30pm and even 4:00pm. I was still getting used to Ugandan time at that point 😂. The boys didn't show up until 4:30pm, and I don't think that the event even started until maybe 5:00pm. The candidates all looked so good!! 

The senior 6 girls 😊 (above). 

Some of my favorite boys were looking SHARP. Left to right (above) is Christopher (aka Gum), Patrick, Jacob, Joseph, and Denis. 

Francis and Jimmy (above)

We had a blast taking pictures and videos 😊! The candidates walked up the red carpet with their dates and got announced before entering and passing by some of the mamas (each house of kids has a mama), faculty, staff, visitors, and other students. The mc stopped a few of the couples and asked them questions at the door. One of the times, he stopped Francis and said, "This question goes straight to the boy. You are tall and your girlfriend is short. I mean date. D A T E. What is the reason behind this?". Francis replied, "Yeaaa, I still hope that something will happen", implying that he hopes she will grow 😂. Their accents also make everything funnier. 

Many speeches were given congratulating the senior 6s and senior 4s, and a few people even sang songs. The mc was hilarious and tried to rap after everyone else had performed. He was so bad, but people came up and threw him money to be funny, including Dr. Tim.

Then, after all the talking was done, we ate dinner. Some of the girls who were helping made us visitors go first, which I hated because we were not the ones being celebrated. But, we weren't going to refuse. We went through the line and piled rice, chicken, greens, beans, and pineapple into our bowls. I sat down by Zac and realized that I had forgotten to grab a fork. I looked up and realized that nobody was using a fork. We had all just touched each other and shook hands, and nobody had washed their hands. Hygiene level: 2/10 😂. But, again, we weren't going to refuse, and so we just jumped right in and ate with our hands! They had one cake that they cut and put into bowls. Girls came around with the bowls, offering us chunks of cake. It looked yummy, but I didn't feel like eating with my hands anymore 😂.

After the cake cutting, it was time to dance!! All the other guests and visitors left, but Molly and I decided to stay for a few songs to really experience a Ugandan prom. It was so fun. Francis, one of the senior 4 candidates grabbed my hands and we started swing dancing and everyone around us was cheering. Molly and I danced for a little while longer and then headed to bed because we had an early morning the next day. We were going on another safari!

I put together a video for the students within the next few days, and they were SO appreciative. They picked the songs, and I just threw some clips together, so that they had a fun way to remember that night. It is nothing special, but here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4CqUer1HX4&ab_channel=AbbyRaasch