RC Kampala Springs: 2024/25 Magical Service Projects

Kampala Springs

SERVICE PROJECTS IN THE MAGICAL YEAR

24/25

President's Message Director of Service Projects (Rtn Mbugiro Margaret)

The Kabwohe Health Centre IV Project Tree Planting Medical Camps

BELEP and Mental Health Youth Services in the Magical Year Why Vocational Education Is The Future Of Uganda

President's Message. Director Service Projects Message.

Dear Partners in Rotary,

As I step into the role of President of our esteemed Rotary Club, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement. I am privileged to serve with all of you - dedicated individuals as we embody the spirit of service above self, to make a significant difference in our community and beyond.

In the upcoming Rotary year, my unwavering commitment is to foster a culture of collaboration and effective communication between our club, its current and future partners. By harnessing our collective strength and resources, we can achieve far greater than any of us can alone. Your dedicated participation and contributions, as our esteemed partners, will be instrumental in enabling us to deliver sustainable, impactful projects for underserved communities, significantly improving their quality of life.

Signature

I have full confidence in the leadership abilities of Rtn Mbugiro Margaret, who will lead our service projects this year, through her invaluable guidance through this year of transformation. While she brings the vision and passion, we cannot underestimate the contributions of our diverse groups of companies, schools, and public and private sector institutions with whom we shall work to deliver our ambitious vision. In this regard, I invite you to make the decision to partner with us once you have reviewed our service projects for the upcoming year. Our partnership will not only contribute to the betterment of our communities but also provide your organisation with a platform for impactful community service.

Let us stand together as we serve humanity in our communities worldwide.

Thank you

Dear Friends and Partners of RC Kampala Springs,

We have closed another successful Rotary year, a testament to the collective effort and dedication of our club members and partners. Together, we have ignited hope and made a positive impact on hundreds and thousands of communities worldwide. I would like to congratulate my predecessor, Rtn Christopher Kamukama, under the leadership and guidance of President Sharon Rutega and, together with the board, for the excellent service projects we accomplished in the year. The Magical Team now receives the Service Projects baton, committed to building on the achievements of the Hope Creators.

Our District Governor, Rtn Ann Nkutu, has tasked clubs to continue their work, strengthen what we started and critically ensure sustainability of all the projects for the long haul. Like a sound and stable German-made car, our overarching goal is continuity and lasting impact. Your continued support is crucial in achieving this.

Our biggest milestone in 2023-2024 was the submission of an application for our first Global Grant for Kabwohe Health Centre IV. I am positive our application will be a success. We are eager to implement the Kabwohe project in line with Maternal & Child Health and Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH). In addition, the club’s partnership with the National Forestry Authority to plant trees will continue as part of our own contribution to repair the damage humanity has caused to our planet. In our commitment to deliver on the D9213 annual goals, we shall grow our existing 7x7 partnership to 10x10 to hold medical camps to provide crucial medical services to the

communities. Of course, our adopted school, St. Stephen Church of Uganda Primary School, remains our baby, as we continue to deliver Basic Education and Literacy Program (BELEP) activities. This year, we hope to embed a component on Mental Health activities. Mental health, still spoken in hushed tones, yet preventable, negatively impacts the quality of life within communities.

Under the leadership of President Patrick Ford Rukyera, I, together with the board and the services projects committee, will do our best to deliver on the projects presented in this magazine. The services projects committee will play a crucial role in contributing to the success of our projects.

Join us to serve above self.

President Patrick Ford Rukyera

Rotary Club of Kampala Springs

Rt Mbugiro Margaret

Service Projects Committee.

Kabwohe Health Centre IV Project

Our Maternal and Child and WASH Project in Kabwohe

he Rotary Club of Kampala Springs' greatest achievement at the club’s ‘young age’, is submitting a Global Grant application. We celebrate this milestone, the fruit of hard work, focus, and determination. While it is only an application, we are confident it will succeed, which will propel us to do great work with the Rotary Clubs of Allschwil-Regio Basel, Kabwohe, the Ministry of Health, and the Abaana b'e Sheema Group.

The project is focused on delivering two focus areas: water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and maternal and child health. We hope to contribute to the United Nations Agenda 2030, which focuses on promoting Good Health and Wellbeing for all ages. The Goal 3 key targets that are of concern are: “to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births; to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age; and to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births in all countries.”

Kabwohe Health Centre IV (HC IV), a public healthcare facility founded in 1948, is located in Rutoma Ward, Kabwohe Division, Sheema Municipality, Western Uganda, about 300 kilometres

from Kampala. Kabwohe HC IV has a wide catchment area, serving over 2,000 people daily. The facility also receives emergency referrals from other health facilities within the district and from the neighbouring districts of Buhweju, Bushenyi and Kashari. The facility receives 1,400 patients in the various outpatient clinics combined. The facility conducts an average of 150 monthly deliveries, with about 30 needing to be delivered by cesarean section. In the financial year 2022/2023, Kabwohe HC IV offered clinical services to 51,851 people. Of these, 8,191 mothers received antenatal care from the facility. The facility carried out 3,695 normal deliveries and 575 caesarean sections; 3,121 children were immunised, and 2,387 mothers received family planning services.

Kabwohe Challenges:

Kabwohe HC IV continuously faces a shortage of necessary equipment and human resources to offer the much-needed quality maternal-child health services and other health services to the community. This is exacerbated by the challenge of reliable water supply, affecting service delivery and compromising hygiene. The lack of good water supply also predisposes patients, health workers, and the community to water-borne infectious diseases, increasing the morbidity and mortality rates from preventable causes.

Project Objectives:

The Maternal & Child Health, and WASH Project will focus on giving Kabwohe HC IV the necessary medical and solar equipment to enhance better service delivery, especially to mothers and children in this community. The project seeks to improve human resources through capacity building so that all essential medical staff can operate, use, and maintain the equipment efficiently. This project will also improve community health and well-being by improving the water and sanitation at Kabwohe HC IV to facilitate better health services. This will be done by:

Tree Planting.

Providing necessary health equipment in the maternal and child health department.

Training staff and promoting facility-community outreaches for effective disease prevention.

Providing a solar water pump and 20,000-litre water tank to improve access to adequate clean water.

Installing a solar lighting system for the operating theatre and maternity ward.

Building sustainable partnerships and collaborations for better health in the surrounding communities.

While great strides have been made to the Global Grant application, with the club collecting 50% of its obligation, the other 50% must be found before the Grant is signed off, allowing for quick implementation.

The Green Guardian Project in Partnership with Schools and

Churches

subtotal (matched

+ World Fund):

contributions with NO match from

This fund will be provided through the Rotary Foundation Funding scheme

RCKS has so far collected $ 4,784.00 and needs to collect the remaining $ 4,000, which will be raised in a combination of fundraising drives partnerships and collaborations

In the spirit of partnerships and collaborations, we invite our partners to join us as we take Maternal and Child and WASH services to Kabwohe Health Centre IV.

n the 2023-2024 period, The Rotary Club of Kampala Springs (RCKS) demonstrated its commitment to Rotary’s Areas of FocusEnvironment and Climate - by partnering with the National Forestry Authority (NFA). Through this successful collaboration, RCKS and NFA planted 1,000 trees at Luzira Prison in October 2023, and another 1,000 trees at Butabika School of Psychiatric Nursing in January 2024. Building on these achievements, the club is now poised to expand its contribution to environmental sustainability and community development.

In the coming year, RCKS’s vision will expand its reach and impact by implementing “The Green Guardian Project”. More than just a project, the initiative is a beacon of hope for a better environment. It aligns seamlessly with Rotary's Seven

Areas of Focus, particularly promoting environmental sustainability and community development. By planting and maintaining 5,000 trees, the environment is protected and through planting cover crops, like cassava or sweet potato, the project will contribute to the nutritional benefits for school children. This dual approach will serve to combat climate change and enhance food security. Working with and engaging schools and churches, the project aims to foster education and community involvement, and cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship among young people. Furthermore, each tree will have a QR code for potential sale as carbon credits to fund further school and community projects, a testament to the long-term benefits of this initiative which embodies Rotary’s commitment to creating resilient communities, promoting peace, and improving the quality of life for future generations.

The Project's Overarching Goal Is:

Plant and nurture 5,000 trees across selected churches and schools, enhancing Uganda’s green cover and biodiversity.

To involve local communities, particularly students and church members, in environmental conservation efforts.

To promote agroforestry practices, allowing communities to grow crops alongside trees and support food security and economic development.

To provide practical environmental education to students, fostering a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

To attract corporate sponsors through innovative engagement methods such as QR-coded tree monitoring, ensuring project visibility, sustainability, and carbon credits.

What can Rotary Kampala Springs Offer?

Acquire the trees from the National Forestry Authority at no cost to the partner.

Source for partners to demonstrate their committee the environment.

Coordinate the project.

Publicity of the project.

Reporting.

the Benefits to the Partner

An opportunity to demonstrate the organisation's commitment to the environment.

A platform to showcase their CSR Climate and Environmental activities (branding).

Purchase of carbon credits/investment into the project to facilitate activities required in the planting and maintenance of trees, including purchase of cover crop seedlings, farming equipment, and fertilisers).

and Partnerships with other Rotary Clubs.

Syphilis Screening Medical Camps.

In a drive to promote collaboration and partnerships, Rotary Cubs have been encouraged to partner; leveraging each other's strengths will also minimise risks and better serve the community.

The RCKS is no exception, and in 2023-2024, it embarked on a highly successful 7x7 collaboration with six other Rotary clubs: RC Mukono Central, Kampala Maisha, Upper Kololo, Kampala South, Port Bell, and Bugolobi. Each club identified a key area of focus and delivered comprehensive services to the beneficiary community, St Stephen’s Primary School. This partnership not only showcased the power of collaboration but also significantly transformed the lives of the community.

Over 500 beneficiaries benefitted from a joint medical camp, a significant event that showcased the power of collaboration with a focus on providing medical services to the community. The following services were provided in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Portbell, Lugogo Manago Tree, Butabika Royals, and Nakawa.

General Medical Examination And Treatments]

Cervical Cancer Screen]HIV/ Counselling & Testing

Eye And Ear Care Services

Child Health and Immunization

Antenatal and Family Planning

Hepatitis B, TB and Sickle Cell Screening

Blood Donations

Mental Health

Dental Care

Dispensing Medicines

Malaria Testing and Treatment

Budget Requirements

While the Club focuses on maternal and child health in Kabwohe, it also plans to partner with Luzira Health Centre IV to deliver a Maternal and Child Health Outreach program. This proposed outreach builds on the strategic partnership that resulted in the refurbishment of the Maternal Theatre.

The club is committed to continuing these partnerships, serving the communities and the underserved, and ensuring a brighter future for all.

BELEP and Mental Health.

Working With

Our Adopted School, St Stephen’s Primary School

In 2020, the Rotary Club of Kampala Springs ( RCKS) adopted St Stephen’s Church of Uganda Primary School and continued working with the school. However, the Covid-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, disrupting our community work at the school. Despite this, in 2022, services resumed with an intentional focus on supporting learners' transition back into the learning environment with a drive aligned to Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Program ( BELEP). At the school, the club has:

We launched Drop Everything And Read Day (DEAR) at Luzira COU Primary School, a literacy initiative where students and teachers dropped everything and read. The club equipped the library with 232 books, significantly enhancing the school's reading resources and promoting a student reading culture.

Our partnership with Roke Telkom, a valued sponsor, has been a beacon of collective action in community development. We have provided internet services to the school, significantly enhancing the school's access to online learning content. This collaboration underscores the power of unity and shared responsibility in driving positive change in our community. We are immensely grateful for the support of our community stakeholders. With your help, we donated over 500 copies of Excel PLE pull-outs to both Luzira COU Primary School. These materials, designed for revision and to help candidates understand how UNEB sets Exams, have been a valuable resource for the students. Your support has made a significant difference in their educational journey.

In response to learners' and teachers' well-being and in partnership with Strong Minds, 2024 saw the launch of mental health awareness through the Boy Child Uplifting program. During a fundraising walk and community activities at the school, the club provided awareness messages to over 300 boys

In the spirit of continuity and sustainability, RCKS’s vision is to continue with the work above and, in the coming year, build on what has been achieved so far. Specifically, the cub will:

Youth Services in the Magical Year.

Like all Rotary Clubs, Kampala Springs will do its part to support youth services delivery through its continued support to the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. This year, we will ensure that the selected participants are also keen to join the Rotary Fraternity.

While support has been given to Rotaractors in the past, this year, the intentional effort will be made to attract young non-Rotaractors who are already leaders in their communities. Through enhancing their skills, we believe we will equip them to make a bigger impact on the people they serve.

Working through a select committee, we will focus on:

Strengthening relations with the youth, both Rotaractors and Interactors.

Coordinating all activities involving the youth.

Seeking out opportunities for possible Rotarian-Rotaractor mentorship.

Liaising with Rotaract Clubs on potential would-be Rotarians to facilitate their transition to Rotary.

Empowering youth through establishing or supporting leadership development programs where possible.

Taking charge of the process required to form an e-interact or institutional-based Interact Club or Interact or Rotaract Club where the opportunity or need arises.

Budget

Comittee.

Why Vocational Education Is The Future Of Uganda.

he United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines vocational education as an education designed for learners to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies specific to a particular occupation or trade, leading to qualifications relevant to the labour market. In vocational institutions, learners acquire certain skill sets that are important for great personal and professional growth.

The benefits of vocational education are enormous, including effective technical skills that are vital for individuals, enterprises, and the economy at large. Vocational training ensures that trainees are self-reliant upon graduation and productive in the job/skills market. Through creation of jobs, the country becomes more productive, realizes high profits and the economy grows with guaranteed high revenue generated through taxes.

However, in developing countries like Uganda, there has been a documented mismatch between the skills offered to the market by the traditional theory-based education system and the skills needed by the market to deliver the comprehensive national development that the country needs. There is an urgent need for the education system to be in sync with market needs. Uganda needs a transition from theory-based classwork education to a practical and hands-on approach to create an adequate

Lessons from China

A report by the World Bank in 2018 highlighted a large gap in the demand and supply of technical and vocational skills in Sub-Saharan African countries due to underinvestment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). In contrast, developing countries like China have modelled their education system around vocational skills education for decades, integrating industrialisation and vocational skills in their education system.

Vocational education in China is provided at three levels - junior secondary, senior secondary and tertiary. Vocational education in China aims to equip the Chinese with practical skills and professional knowledge. It is common to find Chinese children in nursery schools baking, making toys, and practising robotics under the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics system of education delivery. When they graduate, these learners are integrated into well run enterprises and factories.

China has actively expanded its vocational education to align with enterprise demands in recent years, and according to reports, the country is doubling its efforts to improve vocational education. Today, China is experiencing the emergence of high-growth industries, including hospitality, delivery services, and online shopping, providing a ready market for workers who have acquired vocational training.

The Chinese government increasingly focuses on filling vocational skills gaps to boost future economic development. To maximise the benefits of vocational education, China is seeking and indulging in collaborations with international vocational institutions — a global influence. According to recent reports, 18 vocational colleges in South China's Guangdong Province launched 39 overseas education programs in 2024

Rtn Addah Kansiime Director of Youth Services

Rtn Munneza Louise Lionel Committee Member

Rtn Lynda Kisakye Nduru Committee Member

Rtn Ham Musinguzi Committee Member

The committee is committed to embracing the youth through the delivery of services.

The case of Uganda

ganda, which has become an economic partner with China in recent years, can take a leaf out of the Chinese education handbook and refocus their education model on vocational skilling by making deliberate investments in the sector. This intentional investment should include the required infrastructure, human resources, curriculum development, and enactment of policies and regulations needed for quality control and regulation.

Through the Ministry of Education, the Ugandan government has made the necessary adjustments and resource allocations. The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy 2019 provides a firm basis on which vocational education can blossom. The policy aims to produce a skilled, highly competent workforce and establishes an employer-led TVET system.

While there are several vocational institutions, both public and private, the uptake of vocational education has been decimal because students and parents prefer to join universities for courses that create job seekers instead of job creators. To beat this, there is a need for a wholesome

mindset change that looks at vocational education positively. We must tell our children that learning to make furniture and starting a business can be more profitable than studying a traditional course and remaining unemployed.

With the runaway unemployment rates in the country, vocational education is the future because learners acquire technical skills to enable them to start up their own enterprises and create jobs for others. With such skills, they will also be employable by the already established enterprises. This will give us a community of productive and responsible young people. Educated, skilled and employed people tend to be law-abiding citizens. This will, in turn, reduce the crime rates in the country, end child marriages, domestic violence and improve livelihoods.

It is, therefore, important that the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), tagged “promote employable skills”, was instituted to promote vocational skills. This is addition to the many other organisations and vocational schools helping to ensure that the needy acquire skilling courses in hairdressing, embroidery, tailoring, knitting, weaving, shoe making, bakery, and confectionery, will enrich Uganda.

Vocational Services Committee.

Based on the landscape of vocational services presented above, the Rotary Club of Kampala Springs will supporting this critical vision through:

Written by: Rotarian Mbugiro Margaret

The Vision of the Rotary Club of Kampala springs

Rtn Martin Agaya Director Vocational Services

Rtn Robert Birwakwte Committee Member

Rtn Stella Maris Amabilis Committee Member