By Valentino Okwero, SJ
There is a Bantu saying that: visitors’ footfalls are like medicine; they heal the sick. The visitors come with blessing. This is what most Africans believe and that is why Africans are so generous and hospitable to visitors. Sometimes we don’t figure out the blessings, consolations, encouraging, and joy and hope visitors bring to our homes. On the first of February we were blessed by the visit of the Father Provincial. We are grateful to God for the Provincial visit and for many other blessings received from his stay with us here. Fr. Provincial was able to meet Bishop of Wau Diocese and on Sunday presided the Holy Eucharist at St. Mary Cathedral of Wau Diocese.
The school started in January. The school fully opened on Monday the 5th February following the new uniform academic Calendar from the Ministry and the normal daily school businesses officially kick-off.
There also is an ongoing English programme for adults being offered at Loyola. It has offered unbelievable service to these vibrant group who are enthusiastic to learn a new language. Apart from just being a language programme, it opens a new horizon for hope for those who were studying even in Universities but because of War had to flee to save their lives. Most of these adults benefiting from this program are refugees from Sudan who left Khartoum because of war. So being in class is one way of distracting oneself from memories of war. Fr. Provincial met them and he was touched by their enthusiasm to learn and love for the school.
During orientation, the new students (senior one) were encouraged to take school serious and study in Loyola to the aspiration of the school Motto: Light to the Nations. To be a light to the nations, you have to shine like the sun, and the adage sky is the limit does not exist in Loyola, we seek to go beyond the sky. It was kind of a new world to them.
