Old Collegians 

Old Collegian, former St Bede’s College staff member,  Alan Drummond recently posted this to share:

It's Graduation Day in Yambio STTC, which is a day of great joy for everybody, except for the pigs which make the supreme sacrifice for the occasion! It's a massive achievement for these students, many of whom have had their own education interrupted, have left wives, husbands and family for an extended period of time, and have had to master the English language, on top of Arabic and their tribal languages.

Traditionally, the Level 3s press the academic gowns or the graduates, and there is much sprucing up of pants and jackets, hair styling and hand decoration for the ladies, and a growing sense of excitement. Photos formal and informal follow the ceremonies, all of which I have taken on previous occasion. Included is a pic of two of this semester's

graduates with me.

Along with other former teachers at the college, I was invited but had to decline. I wrote

the following apology with a tear in my eye:

Dear Bro Chris, staff and students of STTC,

The one place on Earth, above all others, where I would like to be at 8:30 am, on 5

October, in the Assembly area at STTC, arriving before any other visitor so that I could

choose a seat with an uninterrupted view of the new graduates. From there, I would love

to be able to watch proceedings with a grandfatherly pride, probably day dreaming of

delightful moments that I shared with you on your journey towards graduation. 

I would remember, as if it were yesterday, singing By the Rivers of Babylon with some of you, listening to a group in Level One telling us about different traditional initiation and

marriage ceremonies, handing out sweets if you got Hangman right or sending you to

the back of the queue if you got one little thing wrong in a crossword or an activity in

your exercise books. I would remember you playing volleyball and how the grass grew

so quickly on the volleyball court when Covid sent you away, and how empty and sad

the college was without you. 

I would remember Mass with some of you at St Augustines and how several of the ladies were always late. I would recall many of you wanting to join me on the run to the clinic in the evening, and the care that you had for one another when one of you was sick. And I would remember having to stop at the stall in Masia while you recharged your phones.

I would be thinking too, of those who have not finished the course, but are still dear to

me, including Wuor, who has since gone to God.

No doubt, I will be thinking of these things next Tuesday, and I will be sharing your joy

as you pose in your blue gowns for formal and random photos. Please send them all to

me.

Regrettably, I cannot be with you but I know you will have a wonderful day.

I will see you all again in Heaven - if I'm allowed in!

Much love,

Grandfather Allan

On behalf of the Old Collegians Association, we would like to wish everyone all the blessing for the Season and extend our prayers to you and your family.

We look forward to finally welcoming back our Old Collegians to the College in 2022

Jo Hynes 

Old Collegians