What's New

2010.

*We are pleased that Bishop Stuart Primary School, Mbarara, Uganda has now established formal links with East Peckham Primary School in Kent, UK through the Global School Partnership scheme. We were privileged to deliver a file of information and letters from the children in East Peckham to Uganda on our visit in February, and return with one from the children in Mbarara. We hope that this partnership will offer to both schools enormous pleasure as they share personal and educational ideas, and that exchange visits will become possible soon.

* After the completion of a new three classroom block in Kabarama, we were approached by the neighbouring village school to help repair a two classroom block which had collapsed in a storm. We were pleased to receive a grant to help with this, and can now report the classooms are back in use and far more safely built.

* Munanyuke, our first individual sponsee, has now successfully completed his primary education and, in April 2010, started training as a carpenter. We hope this will enable him to live an independent and fulfilling life despite his profound deafness. He has come a long way from the child we first met outside a mud shelter high in the hills.

2009

* In February Mrs Tugumisirize Hope, the Deputy Headteacher at Bishop Stuart Demonstration Primary School, agreed to be our new agent in Mbarara town. Teacher Hope has worked with ACC during our support of her primary children, and has been a forceful voice in the education of the girl child which we consider so important.

With her commitment to education, and her individual knowledge of the secondary students supported by ACC, we know she will be in a very special position to ensure that these students benefit fully from the sponsorship they have been given by ACC supporters in the UK. We look forward to working closely with her.

* During our visit to Mbarara in February 2009 we were able to see the new kitchen at Bishop Stuart Primary School. This was completed in 2008 with the help of ACC supporters and has replaced the corrugated hut that has been used as the kitchen since ACC and the School Managment Committee responded to the need to provide the sponsored students with lunch. The kitchen has been fitted with eco-burning stoves to reduce the amount of wood needed for fuel; the school has planted trees to help provide this fuel cheaply. It has attracted the interest of other schools in the area. The kitchen is spotless, and includes a store room and washing facilities. Other children in the school are now able to purchase lunch, helping to reduce costs.

* One of our supporters, Lucy Clarke, resigned her high powered job and spent six months in Mbarara in 2008. Prior to leaving, Lucy had raised several thousand pounds through a variety of fund raising events - in many cases the sums being matched by her employer, Deutschebank, for which we were very grateful. During her time in Mbarara, Lucy, among other projects, taught at Bishop Stuart Primary School, and, using her professional experience, did much valuable development work with the teaching staff. She arranged a computer course,and brought in an interactive course, devised and organised by VSO volunteers, on 'Guidance not Violence'. She ran a day course for the ACC Secondary students, helping them to break down personal and institutional barriers and become more proactive in meeting their own needs; she also organised an art competition for all the secondary schools in Mbarara.

We were able to see the exhibition of finished paintings at the Develpment Studies Centre in Mbabara, and were amazed at the variety and quality of the work, and the enthusiasm with which it was undertaken.

So many found a way to express themselves, often with great humour as well as great skill.

* As a result of a very generous donation of 8,400 Swiss Francs from a Trust making body, we have been able to finally complete the three new classrooms at the Kabarama Primary School. These have been desparately needed for many years, and have been built in stages; this final injection of funds will enable the school to plaster the walls, put in floors, doors and windows, and provide the desks the children need. This work is being done over the holiday, and it is hoped the rooms will be fully ready for use by the start of the second term in May 2009.

* At the start of the academic year in February 2009, ACC enabled 13 more students to attend secondary school, ten from Bishop Stuart School and three from Kabarama School. This was possible because of the support and help of the teaching staff in Uganda, and the addition of nine new sponsors in the UK, who have committed to support individual students for four years to O level. We now have a record number of students selected for secondary education. Once again we have tried to streamline our work by arranging the placement of students in a few selected schools. (April 2009)

* At the end of 2008 eight students completed the agreed period of secondary education support, and two withdrew from the programme. In some cases, individual sponsors decided to continue support to, initially, A levels, and in these cases new arrangements have been made. In other cases we have encouraged students to pursue vocational/skills training to enable them to find paid employment. During our visit we spent time exploring various post secondary skills training options. It is not always easily accessible, but we have students following training courses in electronics as well as nursery teaching and, in the past, nursing. (April 2009)

* We were able to negotiate a motor vehicle apprenticeship option for Emmanuel, whom we have supported since he was at primary school, and who is now entering his S4 O level year. He is the eldest son of Kellen, the blind lady we have also supported for many years, and should within a couple of years be in a position to provide for his mother and siblings. The saving and housing of this family has been the result of one particular sponsor in the UK who has generously given all her tips to this project, and the ongoing support of Twinne Gelverse who is being sponsored by ACC supporters through medical school. To see this family finally come off the need for aid to survive and to provide for themselves will be a fine and proud moment for all concerned. (April 2009)

* None of this has been easy, and we have been most grateful for the generous support of so many individuals and friends. But inflation is in double fugures in Uganda, the value of the pound has gone down and we are getting far fewer Ugandan Shillings in exchange. School and ancilliary fees have gone up, as has the cost of food and transport. ACC funds are lower than we had planned, and we need your support more than ever. (April 2009)

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Earlier bulletins

+ ROSE successfully graduated from midwifery school and is working in a Catholic clinic outside Kampala. Her ultimate aim now is to build a clinic in her village. This would meet a very real need of the village, and would enable Rose to help support her siblings and their children. (June 2007)

+ Gelverse returned to school and successfully completed his A levels. He has now begun to train as a doctor, supported by three Antokia sponsors. In return he has been able to help another family we support. (June 2007)

UGANDAN TEACHER PAYS VISIT TO SCHOOL (December 2006)

Pupils from a junior school in Tunbridge Wells who raised money to help Ugandan children had the chance to meet a teacher from the African village they forged links with.

Children from Years Five and Six at the school in Sandrock Road contributed £200 towards the building of a new classroom in Kabarama village through an own clothes day and cake sales. Last year pupils raised enough money to provide new toilets and sports equipment.

Teacher of Science and English from the village, Aturinde Nelson Kagurukye, took part in the school's assembly and met teaching staff and children.

He said: "It was the first time I visited St James's and it was wonderful, lovely and enjoyable. The staff were very friendly and I am very grateful for the donation."

Mr Kagurukye added he was looking forward to an English Christmas and eating turkey for the first time before returning to Uganda on 31 December.

The English Ugandan link was arranged through the Antokia Children's Charity based in Tunbridge Wells who visit Uganda twice a year and arrange individual sponsorship of Ugandan pupils who wish to continue onto secondary and higher education.

From The Kent and Sussex Courier December 29 2006 Ugandan Teacher Pays Visit To School (image, 225K)