Newsletter 2020

Bujagali Trust Newsletter June 2020 Developing Primary Education in Uganda

A significant step forward As I write this introduction to the 2020 newsletter, my mind goes back to March 1995 which was the occasion of my first visit to Uganda. What a different world it was then! No “WhatsApp” home to say ‘I’ve arrived’! Yet as the world struggles with the Covid-19 pandemic I’m reminded of the friendly, outgoing generosity of Ugandans which inspired the creation of the Bujagali Trust. Perspective is everything in the current crisis and the resilience, optimism and faith of Ugandans is a constant source of inspiration.

The recent visit of John Griffiths and Barry Hollinghurst to Kumi and Gulu four years after their previous visit is the main focus of this newsletter and what an uplifting story it is. Our partnership with our local ambassadors, the communities in which they live and local education authorities reflects our key values - partnership, trust, sustainability, respect, resilience. The schools we support are becoming “Model Schools” within their communities and we are enthused to develop them further as we have documented in the following pages.

None of this is possible without the support we receive from our supporters and as we move forward with our projects we are hugely grateful to you all. We have some exciting ideas to generate the funds necessary for further progress.

If the current crisis is telling us one thing, it is that education is crucial for the development of civil societies; our commitment to the schools we support and the children in them is at the heart of our work.

Kevin Riley. Chairman.

Patrick & Grace Lumumba at Mama Elisabeth growing food (left). Staff making school uniforms (centre).Two laptops, donated to Bujagali Trust , were presented to Mama Elisabeth school (right).

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Bujagali Trust Newsletter June 2020

Our Work during 2019-20 Our current work is focused on the building of teacher accommodation at our three Kumi schools. This work has proved valuable to the schools as it ensures teachers are on site at all times. This not only increases security but leads to extra valuable duties such as evening lessons to pupils who board. Without such facilities the distances both pupils and teachers have to travel to school can prove an insurmountable problem, especially during the rainy season. The building design provides each of four teachers with a bedroom, and space for sitting and storage with solar powered lighting. This facility helps the school attract the best teaching staff and demonstrates, to the community, a significant investment giving them hope and encouraging them to send their children to school. Promoting widespread and consistent pupil attendance is a significant problem for head teachers.

Trustees visit teacher accommodation under construction at Okorom School (left). Work underway to complete the interior (centre). The completed accommodation at Agolitom School (right).

For the last seven years Bujagali Trust has been supporting the development of the Mama Elisabeth Nursery and Primary school in Gulu, Northern Uganda. With the completion of the building block for the P7 classroom and head teacher’s office, the school is now almost complete. The school has expanded such that, in 2021, it will cater for 200 nursery children and another 300 primary pupils (P1 - P7) with 24 teachers and support staff. There is no doubt that this has become a fine school. Patrick and Grace Lumumba (school directors) lead a high quality, motivated team and the school operates with an enviable ratio of teachers to pupils. Furthermore, by providing food and encouraging parents to get involved, the school enables the children to achieve their true potential.

Mama Elisabeth School. Traditional dance outside the new P7 classroom (left). A library provides a reading area and a staff room (centre). Pupils collected after school (right).

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The year ahead 2020 - 21 The “Model School” concept in Kumi has been developed by the District Education Officer with a view to creating an exemplar. Agolitom has been designated the lead school in this project which provides the Bujagali Trust with a template, focus and momentum for our work. There are many challenges facing us but we have a clear plan and we are beginning to set priorities working with our ambassadors, the three schools and the DEO. Immediately we plan to undertake some smaller projects: undertaking exterior paint and maintenance tasks; fitting the teacher accommodation with beds, mosquito nets & sofas; and providing schools with some basic football & netball equipment. Further into the year and beyond we plan larger projects: dormitories with bunk beds/mosquito nets and a study area with solar power; library buildings providing a pupil reading area, secure book storage and a staff room; kitchen and shower facilities for the staff accommodation; and

Agolitom is the lead school in the “model school” project (left). Kalengo has old classroom buildings which have suffered vandalism (centre). New sports equipment would win hearts and minds (right). each school would benefit from security fencing to deter both vandalism and encroachment.

We will continue to support Mama Elisabeth School, in Gulu, which will shortly extend teaching and learning to the P7 level. In the short term we will be providing text books and study guides.

Classrooms needed for teaching are being used as temporary dormitories (left). Some paint and maintenance could bring existing classrooms nearer to the standard of the new build (right). This would increase community pride in the school.

You are invited to read our strategy document: www.bujagalitrust.org/about

B u j a g a l i Tr u s t

Contact Details.

Charity number: 1157222

Web site: www.bujagalitrust.org Email: bujagali.trust@gmail.com

Our funding and spending In 2019 we generated receipts of £26,019 which came mainly from our loyal regular donors and a generous donation of £1,000 from Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club. This money received plus balances brought forward allowed the Trust to spend £36,029 on educational projects in Uganda. We focussed on these projects: a new P7 classroom and headteacher's office at Mama Elisabeth costing £7,677 and two new teacher accommodation blocks (Agolitom and Okorom) costing £28,352.

Barry Hollinghurst. Treasurer.

Text books are essential (left). Class sizes are large, often 80 pupils (centre). Pupils at Okorum Primary perform a play (right).

Donations make a significant difference Most of our funds raised annually come from regular giving or one-off donations for which we are most grateful. Money is spent in Uganda in such a way as to support the local economy wherever possible. In these difficult times, with Covid-19, such action is even more important. We do have building projects ready to go and would appreciate any further assistance you can give. A little of our currency goes a very long way in Uganda. We have no overheads as our trustees, friends and volunteers give their time and fund their own travel.

If you would like to donate, please visit the Bujagali Trust website via the link below:

https://www.bujagalitrust.org/donate

Thank You These African children made their own masks to keep themselves safe.