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.
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| Kyabazaala School |
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| Water catchment funded by CanAssist |
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| Kitchen stove |
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| Teacher's Quarters |
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| The Deputy Head Teacher lives here. |
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