My Father's legacy

My beloved father passed away on 17 December 2007 at 11.15 AM East African Time. The death of a parent is a shock to the system whatever age you are, you try and make sense of this loss but in vain. Within the Ugandan society it is normal to hold a wake for the deceased. This provides an opportunity for families and friends to grieve.

At my father's wake so many people turned up some I knew and others I did not. Of those I did not know was a woman who was so consumed with my father's passing that she cried inconsolably, and repeatedly said "you poor things who is going to love you now that your father is gone". This is comment was not addressed to anyone in particular but more like "thinking out loud" I was keen to establish who she was and spoke to one of our neighbours, who informed me that she was a local woman who recently lost a son. The child attended a local school and my father owned the school buildings. My father had made contact with her and had been very kind to her during a difficult time and for the days that followed she was invited to our home if she needed someone to speak to

Throughout the wake and the funeral service people spoke of my father's kindness towards them and how he had been instrumental in the building and maintaining the local church.

My father's biggest achievement in my mind and the legacy he leaves behind for me is that of helping those that are less fortunate than he was. I do not know whether he was aware of this. My father was passionate about education and apart from his immediate family he put at least 70 other people through the education system, some of these people went on to achieve great things, some are doctors, diplomats, government officials teachers etc. He often said "I have the money to pay school fees for anyone who wants to attend school" the rest is up to you.

He leaves behind huge boots to fill and I hope that through Ethnic Supplies I too will make a difference to some one's life