Monday, April 19, 2010

Some Anecdotes of Life at Nyakasura - part 11

We sought to carry out the Christian tradition started by the Commander and to maintain the standards and values that he help dear and strove to impart. Chapel was a vital and important part of the life at the school. As a Government School, we had boys of Muslim faith. Of course, arrangements were made for them and they kept Ramadan and other festivals throughout the year. They rose in the middle of the night to cook a meal during he fast. I remember seeing a few Muslim boys anxiously waiting to see the sun sink below the Rwenzori Mountains so that they could dash in and join the rest of the boys for their evening meal.

Our chapel services were helped by the organ which Tony Irvine built and played. This led later to more bureaucratic trouble because the Education Department claimed the organ belonged to them as it was installed in a Government building. Tony had other ideas and I fear (1991) the organ is no longer there.

We took to putting on Shakespeare plays and this did much to help the boys to understand them. They were natural actors and they loved it. One great Shakespearean tale stands out, however, the open-air show of the Olivier film of Henry V. We invited every one around. They sat spellbound in front of the scree and went wild with excitement in the battle scene when the bowmen of England let loose a rain of arrows against the French. I have no doubt there are those who still remember that night and talk about it.

As remembered and written by Mr. E.C. Cooper, M.A., Headmaster, Between 1948 - 1954. Stay tuned for more Anecdotes of Life at Nyakasura!!

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