Remember everyone loves a parade? Well I was in my first one. The school had a graduation with over 800 participants. I think that included the families of the graduates. Because graduations are so costly they are done every 3 years and the participants have to pay 100,000 shillings($40US) to buy down the costs. They have tents and food and certificates and dignitary and gowns for all.

one of 5 tents for the day.  Each color banner over  represents a discipline.

 The tutors all get gowns with 3 brown stripes on the sleeve and a brown hood. The cap has a red tassel.

Can you pick me out of the crowd? These are the tutors for 500 stuents

  The principal gets a red gown and a tam like hat so she matches the minister of education that comes from Kampala so that is how you can identify who is who in the pictures.

Principal with minister behind

 It is all very British in appearance and pomp, except for the tribal dances that take place and all the dignitary’s get up and dance too. They can't help themselves!

 To dance is to have joy.

the beginning of the parade

 So, with my 5 years of education and 2 year degree I was dressed up like I had a masters and marched through town with all the graduates and the students I have been following around. I was at the very end to make sure no one got lost or broke there leg wearing those dumb spikes on the awful roads we have in Arua.

 We marched with the band. see pic of all the cymbal players and drummers and how few horns there are.

 They play the same song over and over as you march and are so enthusiastic that you become enthusiastic too.

Things seen along the way

Long lines at the band for pay day

 We were quite impressive with all of our gowns and uniforms on if I do say so.

 At the end of the marching I noticed I was the only white person marching. So this is a white persons perspective. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

I enjoyed the day. The speeches got long and the cake pieces were really only a bite and I skipped the fresh cow and beans dinner but it was a spectacularly hot sunny day in our black gowns with brown hood that the tutors keep on all day... Love from Marcy MacAulay RN MSN? Peace Corp Volunteer where you can become anything you want...or someone else wants you to be.