Before I came to Luigi Giussani High school (LGHS) I was a different person. A person who couldn’t define the value of life and self being always thinking of desires being fulfilled even if it meant to divert.
Once upon a time when I was this church boy, honest, kind, caring to all and respecting to my parents. I remember a time when even my relatives would fight for me because of my morals and hard work. I definitely loved helping others to the point of doing work alone but all these values eroded little by little after my primary leaving examination (PLE) during the Covid 19 period. The idleness made me unlock doors I wish I did not open. I got into a friendship with a neighbor who introduced me to a peer group that changed me at the fullest.
Things got worse when I got a phone and later my mother got Covid 19 so I was on my own. I made decisions for myself that weren’t good at all. I decided what to wear, what to eat and drink, what time to come back and developed self-pride. The desire for popularity, money, shoes and fashion trends. I developed behaviors like theft, jealousy, big headedness and selfishness.
Some of my good friends tried to advise me about my change same with my father but I felt like they were pressuring me so I neglected them all. My room became my planet I became lazy and good at pretending and everyone started going away from me. I got into addictions like gadgets and internet fever not forgetting social media hunger. I remember hurting a good friend of mine. I realized that I had changed and I went to a priest for forgiveness but he told me that it was me who needed to repent. I was so holy for a week but these addictions pulled me. I couldn’t control myself, my mother came back from quarantine and was told these things she was disappointed. I lost myself and felt ashamed and unable to think.
But when I came to Luigi Giussani high school, I found something different. The environment was caring and loving though I got in trouble at times but they let me reason which shocked me because I expected a punishment. I felt self-guilt and reflected on my past that sparked a light in me for a change. I looked around and saw that indeed that there was something life changing especially the school core values and vision.
Not only the Kabale trip changed me like enabling me to find my inner-self, unlocking my stop and think button but also the lessons I have retrieved from community school that have made me understand the occurrence of things and scenarios in my life and letting me know that there is one that loves me beyond the material life. Auntie Rose has changed me, my way of thinking how to look through the fog and knowing that there are many reasons to thank God and how to realize his presence in every time. She helped me to come out of the miserable life I was living and I thank her for that. Mr. Della our education advisor at LGHS has motivated me to move on with life finding myself and enabling me to achieve my potential through all situations. Mr. Kawuki our Head teacher and Mr. Kawooya my teacher always giving life experiences that build me morally and helping me understand what is being taught. Winnie, Wonder and most especially Phionah who have encouraged me to learn and accompanied me through the day. Mr. Freddy always explaining to us the importance of each point and teaching us the melodies of songs making me so devoted to coming to community school and all the rest who have been of true and good influence to me, accounting me as a true friend.
Father Luigi Giussani though I have never met him, but his teachings have changed me and have brought us together in community school. I love the fact that we are considered as family despite our differences. Community school has taught me how to live my life better than before and has enabled me to build up a life so comfortable and caring.
East or west community school is the best. I will never forget community school and I have treasured it to heart and wherever I go I will spread what I have got from this family. I will always consider community school as the best potion of my life throughout my days.
Written by
Moshe Orognat.