I’m not sure how I could be prouder of Winnie than I am today. She has passed out of college, just four points from Class 1 (equivalent to our ‘with honors’ ranking, which Alan got- barely). But it is the events that surrounded it that left be bursting with pride and massively honored that she considers me her Dad; I’m a sub for the hard-working fisherman that passed on so long ago and I’m sure he’s just as proud in Heaven above. I know her mother is; it was she that gave Winnie the spirit to persevere that really mattered.
The students were called to the school, congratulated for their passing through, then the administration explained the process; the paperwork, the filings, the celebration, etc. and informed the cost would be 400,000 Shillings (about $200).
I would have loved to have been there after that. The meeting that ensued must have been Winnie in full ‘Negotiator’ mode. All I know is that the administration threatened to throw her out of the meeting more than once. At the end of it, the costs to the students for graduation: 290,000 Shillings, a savings of around $50 each. She did not do this for herself; she knows ‘Dad’ will come through for her; but she knows many other students are struggling to come up with funding. She did this exact same thing before; negotiating the cost of technical training down from 200,000 to 100,000 shillings for all the other students.
This time, the exasperated administrator finally asked her, “You’re going to be a politician, aren’t you?” More likely a politician’s worst nightmare. I wish Winnie was here for the current Collin County budget fight, but maybe that’s cruel; 200 armed, upset Sheriff’s deputies would stand no chance against Winnifred Nazziwa.
Congratulations Winnie on your graduation! Your strong faith and hard work are a testament to others. I know your “Dad” (my brother Mike) is extremely proud of you and he is looking forward to visiting you soon. Keep up the great work! Susan (Openshaw) Renek