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Ugandan students drum, dance and sing

By: Ben Cape September 23, 2004


SNOQUALMIE - A recent visit by students from Uganda showed the Valley that even those who dance to the beat of a different drum can have a lot in common with local students.
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Music was the common joy students from Uganda shared with Mount Si students, and was one the reasons they crossed the ocean to visit the Valley. Ugandans ranging in age from 13-18 visited the school, performed for audiences and got to share a love of music that was the same for everyone.
"It has all been very good," said Annet Naekuya, a 13-year-old girl from Uganda who came with the group.
Mount Si High School's relationship with Uganda began two years ago when Thomas Mosby, the school's head vocational director, worked to get used computers that had been refurbished by his students sent to Ugandan schools. Mosby also enlisted help from his fellow Snoqualmie Valley Rotarians and has helped raise enough support to bring both students and computers to the East African country.
During his last trip, Mosby noticed the drumming, singing and dancing of the country's children. When he returned, Mosby approached Mount Si's band teacher Adam Rupert and told him that he should come along for the next trip. Rupert liked the idea and is planning to head over next year to figure out the logistics of getting band students to come with him the following year.
Rupert, his students and the whole Mount Si community got a preview of what students will see on their next trip to Uganda. A group from Uganda came to Washington in August to visit Forest Ridge, a private school in Bellevue that is another school helping out with the computer salvaging project, and some students came along with them. When the Ugandan delegation left, the students stayed behind, bunking with Valley families.
During their stay, the 15 Ugandan students got to live and share their music with Mount Si families. They sat in on band classes and even played with some of the families at home.
"He [Ugandan student] got to play some electric guitar," said Evan Dix, a senior whose family hosted a student.
The Ugandan students got to see a world many had only heard about. Electronics are not abundant in Uganda, and so appliances like washing machines and remote controls were particularly fascinating.
In return, the Mount Si community got to see a culture of music and graciousness that is always generous, whether they are playing for an audience or learning from other students.
"They [American students] see there are people who have nothing and are content," said Angela Bukenya, a liaison for the group of Ugandans.
Bukenya said Uganda has a shy culture, but that all disappeared once the Ugandan students picked up their instruments and performed in the Mount Si auditorium twice last week. Drumming and stringed music accompanied dancers who moved all around the stage. Since each dance had a purpose, such as a dating dance, each movement was accentuated by costumes that highlighted parts of the body.
The performances appeared to be a mix of carefully choreographed dance moves and joyful abandonment jamming. Dancers would look to each other for cues while drummers would steal a quick hit on their neighbor's drum. For nearly 45 minutes, the students would go almost nonstop, playing to a silent audience that would erupt in cheers once a segment ended.
The students left the Valley early this week but Mosby, Rupert and others knew it wouldn't be the last time their students would get a chance to see how the other half lives and plays.
"They [Ugandan students] have so much wisdom for their age," Rupert said. "We can only learn from them."



©Snoqualmie Valley Record 2004