A visit to the other Vashon

By Alex Bruell • April 24, 2024 1:30 am

Island residents Sarah Driggs and Jim Diers spent three weeks across January and February visiting Uganda, including a trip to the country’s own Vashon Primary School, named after the island.

Safari trips around the country’s national parks and other natural areas, consisting of more than 1,500 miles of driving, put Diers and Driggs up close with lions, elephants, gorillas, and of course, countless species of birds. Along the way, they met and learned about the lives of the locals.

At the end of their trip, Driggs and Diers visited the Vashon Primary School, a not-for-profit community school serving about 300 students, during its second day of the school year.

The school earned its name after a trip to Vashon Island by director and founder Henry Tumwebaze, who, along with his wife, school president Judith Abenawe, pursued a dream of opening a school for children whose families could not afford the country’s relatively expensive government-run schools.

“Being there was just an incredible experience,” Diers said.

Money raised through a memorial fund for the late islander Ed Swan, who was an early supporter of the Vashon Primary School, helped purchase of a mini-bus for students at the school, Diers said. The fundraiser put together $2,500, plus another $2,500 contributed by Swan’s wife Linda Barnes. The school has other needs, Diers said — including computers, a coop for chickens and ducks and a fund to help students afford their education.

In reflecting on his trip, Diers praised the skills and hospitality of his guide, Paul Tamwenya, who hosted the couple at his home and even joined Diers in trying to imitate the call of the chimpanzees while staying at lodges — much to the embarrassment of Driggs. Diers also thanked Abenawe and Tumwebaze for facilitating their trip to the school and serving as “wonderful hosts” too.

Islanders interested in supporting or getting involved in the Vashon Primary School can contact Diers at jimdiers@comcast.net. Learn more about the school at vashonprimaryschool.org.