Warm Greetings,  Friend, 

I found the setup for Mustard Seed Primary School elections fascinating. Each student had an opportunity to vote for several prefects (school leaders) for the new school year. 

Note the "voting booth." Groups of students gathered at each station and, one by one, moved to the front to receive a ballot. Using the basin as a privacy screen, they marked the ballot and placed it in the box. 

How can a student be prevented from voting multiple times? Easy. You use a marker pen to color the student's fingernail when finished. 

What a great lesson in democracy—it starts right here, in a green schoolyard under the trees. 

After a wonderful month in Uganda, filled with moments like this, where students of all ages experienced lessons that last, I'm ready to plan my next trip. 

Gratefully,
Elaine

P.S. Photo credit: Kathryn Hiscock, RPU Board President. Thank you for capturing this wonderful moment.