The Children of Uganda shared their uplifting, joyful music Friday, and in return the children of Palo Alto shared a glimpse into their own lives in Silicon Valley.
The 180 students of Keys School, a private K-8 school, waved streamers over their heads and shouted a rousing welcome as the two dozen Children of Uganda, a musical troupe on a four-month U.S. tour, entered the fellowship hall.
Keys has hosted the group, nearly all orphaned by AIDS, on two similar fundraising visits. In a nation of 27 million, Uganda has 2.4 million orphans. The tour will earn enough to feed, shelter, educate and care for 750 children, said Alexis Hefley, founder and president of the tour sponsor, the Uganda Children's Charity Foundation.
At Keys, the musicians took the rare opportunity to spend time in an American classroom. They made guacamole with the seventh grade, learned a dance in the sixth grade and answered lots of questions.
When asked how many pets he owns, Geofrey Nakalanga, 18, was at first puzzled. ``Uganda has many animals,'' he said.
What do you do in your spare time? the fourth-graders in Seeley Okie's class wanted to know.
Jengo Munawiru, 13, said he reads, because he wants to become a science teacher.
And the Keys fourth-graders?
``I like to play golf,'' said Hannah Katz.
Classmates chimed in with their pastimes: soccer, skiing, biking, basketball and baseball, of course, and also watching TV, playing video games, ``riding my pony'' and ``tormenting my brother.''
After lunch, the troupe roused students and parents with a concert of Ugandan music. The bakisimba, the drum that echoes the word of the king, and the adungu, a stairlike vertical xylophone, mesmerized the students.
Both sides were enthusiastic. Nakalanga said he appreciated that ``the students are so welcoming.''
About the list of students' activities, he said he thought all those interests promise a good future for them.
And his future? He wants to keep playing music, said Nakalanga, one of 18 children and the first in his family to go to school. ``I want to become a businessman.''
