A highlight of my time here in Uganda is being able to meet with students. These students truly are the leaders of today. They embody what it means to have an eagerness to learn and to strengthen each other. I am constantly amazed by the students’ support of one another and their interests. I can confidently say that these students have big dreams!
When visiting schools, I always sit with the students to talk to them, and let them know am here to learn with them. It is lots of fun to learn about each student and their interest. After our lessons together, I get the opportunity to have a few moments of encouragement with the students. In my words with them, I began asking the question, “who is interested in starting their own business one day?” The first time I asked students this question I was immediately taken back from the response. It was a class full–with over 75 students when asked the question, and over 50 students shot up their hands in excitement. To see students with a passion and a dream of their own business was heartwarming. In every class I have walked into, I have asked this question, and it never fails that over half the class will raise their hands. The next question I ask is, “how do we turn this dream into a reality?” It’s simple, I tell students to glance around at all of the hands raised and remember them. Remember the community you are sitting with. Remember your friends when they one day take the risk to begin their business. Remember to support one another. The day the students begin to chase their dreams will be a day of renewed growth in their lives. I share a small glimpse of how I was able to begin two successful businesses, with the hopes of encouraging them to chase their own dream even more.
If we highlight young people’s success we will see a major impact on communities here in Uganda. From selling vegetables to becoming a tailor, to starting your livestock breeding program, it is important that we learn to support our young people in chasing their dreams. No matter how big of a risk these leaders of tomorrow may take, it is our job to support each other and ensure they can be successful leaders, farmers, business owners, doctors, and teachers, etc. Students must know they have the choice to follow their passions and have the support of their communities behind them to achieve these dreams.
-Hunter Lee Adkins, Fellow ’24
Meikah Dado, Fellow ’24
The leadership style of Jesus was simple. Jesus put others before himself, encouraged others, and served others with his whole heart. From a young age, I made it my mission to have the leadership style of Jesus; no matter where I go or what I do. I am thankful that these first few weeks here in Uganda have allowed me to do just that.
The leadership of Jesus was yet simple but powerful. It was a turning point for many individuals. Yes, speaking to students in a classroom or riding out to villages to watch women’s groups work extremely hard and relying upon their faith for tomorrow’s harvest may seem simple. However, I have found that leadership begins from the love of wanting to serve others and you don’t have to have a “big stage” to create impact and change others. I am full of gratitude and humbleness for my time here in Uganda. I am excited to see more of what the people of Uganda have in store for not just me but Field of Hope.
When I started my graduate education at Texas A&M University, I quickly learned about the dearly held traditions of the University dearly. My favorite being, “Howdy.” To grab students’ attention in the classroom, to start an email, when you run into another Aggie at the grocery store, we use the word Howdy. It is a one-word introduction with the power to identify yourself as a part of the Aggie community.
Regardless of the time I spent repeating the videos, I was still very nervous when going to introduce myself. It wasn’t until the second farmers group that I grew the courage to be able to do part of my introduction in Lango, practicing over and over with the intern, Robina. While Joseph still had to repeat everything I said, the women farmers cheered and laughed (hopefully more with me, than at me). Now, I continue to add pieces of the local language to my introduction at financial literacy trainings, agriscience trainings, and to the Her Mighty Hands groups. While my Midwest accent proved difficult to hide, thankfully, Joseph is having to repeat less and less with every training.
