In December 2024, Loretto Academy theology teacher, Dr. Sr. Olive traveled home to Uganda, to visit her family after being away for five years.
A Quest for Knowledge
Sr. Olive came to the United States to pursue her education at the University of Incarnate World in San Antonio, Texas where she obtained a Ph.D in education.
Sr. Olive is the only one of six siblings that came to the United States, she said “ It is not easy to come to the states.”
Her motivation to come to the U.S stems from her desire for a high level of education, she said “ it’s hard to acquire the level of education that I have right now in Uganda because of funding.
There are not enough scholarships and the poverty level doesn’t allow everyone to pay.”
Connecting With Her Roots
While in Uganda Sr. Olive stayed with her family, she said, “All the family in one place, one house or one neighborhood. It’s a really beautiful company.”
Her trip was filled with many celebrations including her niece’s traditional wedding, where the soon-to-be groom brought his entire family to meet his fiancée’s extended family.
Sr. Olive said, “It was beautiful, I haven’t attended that celebration in many years.”
Sr. Olive’s trip was heartwarming and transformative, she said, “The trip changed me because of the joy that I came back with.”
Sr. Olive credits many of her accomplishments to her family and home in Uganda.
She said “ My family has made me who I am. I am always grateful to them for everything I have I got from them first, I’ve just been building on that, so I am thankful for my family especially my mom who is my role model in everything I do as an African woman.”
Leaving family is never easy especially when it’s to a new continent, eight thousand miles away.
Sr. Olive’s trip was a long overdue trip, where she was able to thank the country and family that are pillars for her life now in her new home at Loretto Academy.
