Back to School!

This is what this assignment was all about – The children!

I remember when my own were so very cute......

Freya - Now 13 Years

Harriet - Now 11 years, going on 16!

Whatever happened to those sweet little girls?!!

 

I really wanted to see first hand the contribution and support being provided by Comboni Samaritans.

Along with the Director of Comboni, we visited a particular school where two new classroom blocks have just been finished. These had been funded by the IRT (International Refugee Trust)

Although only 40 kms from Gulu, the remoteness of the location meant that it took almost two hours to get there, mainly due to the state of the roads (or should I say tracks!).

The school had been specifically chosen by Comboni following an independent survey of schools in the area to identify those with the poorest academic results. The completion of these new classroom blocks is the culmination of a process which began back in 2007.

The school accommodates just over 600 children, along with its teaching staff…..of ten!

In spite of this farcical ratio, the children were amazingly well behaved, though it was very apparent that the older kids take a lead in keeping the younger ones under control!

Furthermore, a localised custom involves the children kneeling down to greet adults as a mark of respect…..A very far cry from the way I am treated by my own daughters!

Not too long ago, the children only had one classroom block and therefore many lessons were conducted outside, under the shade of the trees.

It’s difficult to explain just how appreciative the school is to have the new classroom blocks. It has really transformed attitudes and enthusiasm from all concerned. Previously, one of the main causes of the poor school performance stemmed from the parents – Questioning the value of educating their kids, rather than have them help with household and farming chores.

Incredibly, this cultural obstacle appears to have been overcome – Enrolment to the school is increasing, attendance/punctuality is outstanding, and results are improving significantly.

Even with the support of such infrastructure, people have to pay significant school fees. Furthermore, just about everybody seems to pay not only for their own children’s education, but also for a number the inevitable orphaned kids from their wider family (where their brothers or sisters have died during the civil war or from HIV/AIDs).

I point I am trying to make is that, in addition to overseas support, the local people are firmly committed towards the education process.

This project is truly an example where charitable funding is really making a difference.

With this in mind, I have requested that the Director of Comboni identify a specific project that I can fund using the donations generously made into my Justgiving account.

With the exchange rate of around 3600 Ugandan Shillings to the Pound, I can promise that this will be a multi-million project!

I will pass on the details as soon as I am able to agree on an appropriate and suitable need.