Bubbling up at Mukono Technical Business Institute

My last day of business took me about 45 minutes out of town to an Vocational School that has received CanAssist support for a number of projects including, latrines, water catchment, kitchen and fuel efficient stove, boarding units and most recently some computers.

Offering a wide range of programs.

This was my first visit to the school and my expectation was to see students sitting and learning about computer technology.  I saw that but I also saw so much more.  As their sign can attest they offer training in a wide range of programs, from technology, to Early Childhood Education, to hairdressing and tailoring, to mechanics and electrician training.  I was impressed to learn that all student groups are getting access to the computers and each group reports that the technology is helping them to learn in new and varied ways.  Students get theoretical teaching from qualified instructors, hands on learning and computer learning.  This multimodal approach leads to deeper understanding.   I met Ronald, our associate and his project manager, Peace, who gave me a full tour of the facility.

Nancy, Ronald and Peace

Automotive Class learning about 2 and 4 stroke engines.  

Hairdressing School

Tailoring Class

Catering class.  The students were elsewhere having French lessons.

Catering Kitchen.

Practical Learning for automotive students.

Rain catchment funded by CanAssist

Computer skills class.

Generator funded by CanAssist to allow classes to continue during power outages.

School kitchen funded by CanAssist

Fuel efficient wood burning stove.  Uses up to 80% less firewood.

Latrines

Small poultry unit on site.  

At the top of the rise (the school is built on a bit of a hill) there was a small ECE Classroom where teacher candidates can work and get practical experience.  I happened to have a jar of bubbles and a few wands in my bag and the kids were delighted when I pulled them out.  Like kids anywhere, I blew the bubbles and they tried to catch and break them.  The peals of laughter was music to my ears.  Ironically, I gave my iPhone and my second camera to Ronald and Peace, asked Peace to make a short 20 second video and asked Ronald to make some still shots while I was immersed with the children.  They did but unbeknownst to me they both experienced some technological problems and by the time they were discovered the moment was gone and the kids had gone back into the classroom.  This has been an ongoing dilemma this trip.  Photography is not my forte and when I pass off the technology to my African friends they are often unfamiliar with it and in the moment there is no time to teach.

Nursery School Class

Rather than make the 20 second clip that I requested, Peace made a two minute video which eventually filled up my camera.  "It went black", she said. I thought ok but then I realized that in addition to the black screen with the storage full message the entire movie was black.  Something seemed to be moving and I saw little bits of myself and then it dawned on my that the blackness was caused by her finger placed inconveniently over the lens.

Ah, I still have the stills on the other camera I thought.  "Did you get some?" I asked Ronald.  "Yes", he said, "but next time you should get some bigger."  I wasn't sure what he meant until I got home later.  He had the zoom on the whole time and none of the shots depicted the whole scene.  Rather they were all close-ups of children's faces, most out of focus.  But I did find one that showed both bubbles and a relatively clear face as well as a video clip that projected the voices.  If I put them together I can trigger the memory.  And of course, these are small problems, relatively speaking.  The best memories live on in my mind.

https://youtu.be/S9QppfBeVwQ

Ahhh, Hope For Youth!

On Wednesday, I travelled to the Hope For Youth School some 15-20 minutes from my hotel.  I had visited this school on my last trip to Uganda with the CanAssist crew.  The school impressed me then and continues to impress.  The school, while quite dilapidated, gives the impression of good management.  The students are bright and vigorous.  They were genuinely happy to welcome me back.  I told them in 2016 that I would be back.  Now they know that I am true to my word.

This dilapidated school is currently being replaced with a new facility.

Open to the elements

I was pleased to see that the teacher's quarters was now fully occupied and even contained a sick bay unit.  The new school, our most recent project, is currently under construction and we are actively seeking donors to complete one new classroom at a time.

Teacher's quarters opened in 2016

Two female teachers who share one unit.

The start of the new school.

I was well received with song and dance (not necessary for me, but it is their custom).  I was able to see how the school has developed since my last visit.  The teacher's quarters that we opened on my last visit are now fully occupied and one unit has a sick bay.  The school is now raising rabbits, chickens and pigs on a fairly large scale.  These animals allow for supplements to the children's feeding program and are also sold at local market to help support the school.  The water tanks and latrines are still fully functional.  The students appear healthy and robust.  Most or all wear shoes, something that John insisted on.  Concrete floors and shoes mean that children are no longer troubled by jiggers.

The drummers

The choir

Traditional Dancers

After a full tour of the grounds, I was lead into one of the old classrooms.  The choir and dance teacher had the students well prepared and they performed a number of songs and dances.  After the performance the children had lunch and recess and we were free to converse.  Here is what I wrote on Facebook to describe what happened next.

The final image I want to leave you with tonight my friends is one that you need to conjure as there was no way for me to document it. After the students performed we went outside and I went and sat on the ground. "Come and talk to me", I called. They came. Soon I was in the middle of a "kid crush". I felt like the heart in the centre of a living and vital organism. It was, as if, the children were one. It is hard to describe the experience but I looked up and all I could see were children's faces and a small patch of blue sky. Like a dream. Close your eyes and imagine it.

I was so delighted to find two girls who had made a big impression on me on my last trip.  Hanifah and Rhoda are doing well. Rhoda is in P7 and wants to be a lawyer. Hanifah is in P6 and wants to be a nurse. In the picture below Hanifah has the yellow shirt and Rhoda is in red.  I am proud of these girls and the young women they are to become. They are the future!

Hanifah in yellow on the left, Rhoda in red on the right.

I also had the opportunity to visit with Edward who I had met in 2016 and Venna a former H4Y student who was financially assisted to attend University by two CanAssist supporters.  It was a great visit and a testament to what can be accomplished when we all pull together.  Together we are stronger!

Edward

Venna

Before I left I was given some lunch consisting of rice, beans, pork and carrots.  I toured the new kitchen funded by CanAssist in memory of Dennis Sserugo who was killed tragically just after my last visit.  He played a whistle for us during a dance performance so the kitchen has been named the "Whistle Stop".  After that, a few quick pictures and my visit had come to an end.

Hanging out with the teachers.

Kyabazaala Elementary School Visit

On Tuesday I travelled about 90 minutes north east of Seeta to visit a very poor rural school which has received CanAssist support, the Kyabazaala School.  The school suffers from high enrolment, little financial support, poor infrastructure and a changing teacher base (teachers find better jobs elsewhere).  The government of Uganda posts teachers to the school but they do not want to stay if there is nowhere to live.  That makes retention rates very low.   Hence, our last offer of support was for the construction of a teacher's quarters.  CanAssist had previously funded latrines, water catchment and an electrical connection as well as some concrete flooring in the school to reduce the incidence of jiggers.

When I arrived I discovered that the school was still functioning but they had been unable to complete the teachers' quarters due a funding shortfall.  They had gone to the parents and came up with a plan to finish the project (6 panes of glass) over the three term school year.  One year later and only two window panes had been installed.  "We have failed.", was the message I got.  Never one to accept defeat we developed a plan to get the project done.  Currently two units are filled and once we complete the final 4 units the building can be fully occupied.  To put this in perspective, the difference is only a matter of hundreds of dollars.  Humbling indeed.  They have also requested adding electricity to the building which only makes sense.  I am determined to get this project finished and to return one day to see the building fully occupied.

On the same day I went to the neighbouring Secondary School.  They have also received CanAssist support and appear to be faring better.  I was impressed with their school mission statement posted on the entryway gate.

Kyabazaala School

Water catchment funded by CanAssist

Kitchen stove

Teacher's Quarters

The Deputy Head Teacher lives here.

Lugali Borehole

The last borehole well was still in construction.  As you can see the cement has been poured and when it is dry in about a week the pump will be added.  These women in the village appear to be patiently waiting.

Shadrak reveals the cement structure.

Patience is a Virtue!