Child who gave Pontiff bouquet
Jasmine Bamwine receives a gift from Pope Francis on his arrival at Entebbe airport yesterday. PHOTO by Stephen Wandera Ouma
Anne Jasmine Bamwine, 6, is among the three children chosen to hand a bouquet to Pope Francis when he stepped on Ugandan soil. Jasmine Bamwine is a confident child, sure of the special opportunity offered her. She spoke to Daily Monitor before she was whisked away by protocol personnel.
Where do you go to school?
Daffodils Kindergarten, Bukoto.
You are too young to hold this position, are you a confirmed Catholic?
Yes. I was confirmed a few days ago (November 15, 2015).
Aren’t you scared? All the cameras are on you.
I am not scared. I do not fear many people standing together, although some of them can be bad.
How did you feel when your father told you the good news?
I was happy. I felt nice.
Do you know who the Pope is?
I had never heard of him, but my father told me he is a very important man.
Did you tell your friends?
No. Daddy said it was a secret. My friends will see me on TV. I only told my teacher and she kept the secret.
What do you love doing most?
I love writing stories and giving them to the teacher to read. I also love number wording.
Who are your best friends?
I have many but I love Alison Mwanja more.
If you were to talk to the Pope what would you say to him?
I would tell him, “Welcome to Uganda.”
