ELIZABETH SWARBRICK, aged
68, whose foster-daughter Angela Apolot was denied a visa to visit
her (
News, 7 June), flew out to see Ms Apolot in Okorom, eastern
Uganda, and attended the baptism of Ms Apolot's son, Luke, in
Ngora.
Ms Apolot had been to the
UK many times, and lived with Miss Swarbrick while she attended
school here, but the UK Border Agency accused her of lying on her
visa application, and banned her from re-applying for ten years.
Miss Swarbrick, who was formerly a midwife with the Church Mission
Society in Africa, has a heart condition, and feared that she would
miss her last chance to see her foster-daughter.
During her visit, Miss
Swarbrick was also reunited with Ms Apolot's husband, Edwin, and
her two daughters, Edith and Lydia.
In an email report of her
visit, Ms Swarbrick says: "My welcome home to Okorom was lovely. We
didn't reach here until 11.30 p.m., after a very long day's drive,
but Angela was waiting, so eager to introduce me to Kyle Luke
Kigula-Omuendo, her little boy of six weeks. Everyone else was
sleeping, giving us space for our reunion, tears, hugs, prayers,
and admiration of Luke.
"The following morning
brought the reunion with Edwin and the two girls. It was lovely to
be part of the family again. Edwin introduced me to his mother,
three brothers, and his sister, all here for the baptism of Luke.
We prepared for church, and the service was very special. It was
held in Ngora Cathedral, the first church to be built, 100 years
ago, in Upper Nile diocese.
"The ceremony afterwards
was amazing - we fed over 100 people in the compound at Okorom, and
over 50 stayed the night. The place was heaving. Edwin works for a
German development company, and at the moment is based in Burkino
Faso.
"In October, he will be
in Germany for three months on a course, so I invited him to us for
Christmas - visa permitting!! - and he said that his dearest wish
was that he, Angela, and the children could all celebrate Christmas
in the UK with me. That would be such a lovely resolution to this
visa problem. I pray that it will happen. . .
"Kidare ijo Edeke (God keep you)."