"Because an eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind." ~Matthew Headmaster of Aware

Aware is one of the displaced schools that has a current facility set-up in Gulu. We had the privilege of learning about the culture and customs of northern Uganda from Matthew who is the Headmaster of this school one afternoon. (See highlights below)

The Aware schools were destroyed during the conflict, bu the hope is that they will return to a functioning school by the end of the year. You would not believe this man's attitude and graciousness despite the situation. He was just so thankful for what they had and what was being done for their village. Such a good reminder for me.. for all of us!

Some Acoli Traditions:
*Discipline and marriage are a concern of everyone's
*Families provide a payment for the bride in order to marry
*Teachers are expected to be positive role models in society (held to a much higher standard)
*"Dry season" is a time of relaxation because the work of planting is done
*There are 27 royal dances
*There is a huge level of respect for the innocence of a child (ie: if parents are fighting they would stop when a child enters the room)