Dave's 2013 Ugandan Trip Perspective

The 2013 trip was the first where our volunteers had specific projects and skills to share. In the past, the team would learn about our program in Uganda and we would encourage them to develop a plan for their participation back home or upon their return to Uganda. That’s not to say that our previous volunteers didn’t have ideas and share their skills but it was the variety of skills and the planning of the various projects.

                  In the next few months, our team members will share their experiences through articles published on our face book page, other social media and in the newsletter.   

• The Cusick’s chess project and the Well’s health program dental hygiene skills program will bring a smile to your face.  
• Rickie’s listening skills program co facilitated with her new Ugandan friends was a hit with the medical staff, teachers and other leaders of the Migyera & Nabbingo communities. 
• Jill’s and Ginne’s tailoring program started a new microfinance project with follow up from a tailor who will continue instruction. 
• Lurene and Kyllian spent five days living in the School’s dormitory learning about the challenges the girls face every day. They also started a journaling project which gave voice to the feelings of both girls and boys and a way to express their concerns, joys, challenges and hopes. 
• Vrunda assisted Dr wells with her presentations and helped at the clinic. Vrunda who will attend medical school in the fall saw patients at both health centers.

Jean and I feel fortunate to have had such interest and support for CALU. Our team’s impact was clearly visible and the sponsored and unsponsored children and their families benefitted from the interventions. The learning was a mutual sharing. Our talents were embraced by our Ugandan friends and our travelers in turn felt that they had life changing experiences. Jean and I stayed another week to meet with other organizations who can bring their resources and talents to CALU while we share our model and skills both in Uganda and in the states!

Welabe ( Luganda for thank you) to all our supporters and new friends!!!

Treasure Bags, Bring Smiles to P.2

It was a Wednesday afternoon when Jill and Ginne quilters from USA brought smiles to primary two (P.2) pupils of St. Lawrence Migyera. They wanted each child to learn how to sew a treasure bag as a gift to take home, that they would use to carry their; pencils, money, sweets etc. 

Jill and Ginne in-front of primary two class (P.2)

They brought pocket patterns, threaded needles that were handed to the each child; with the help of a translator they described to the children the procedure of making a treasure bag. The children were filled with joy as they each sewed one side of their straps to a side of their pocket pattern and then another. Those who finished first lined up to have their photos taken which inspired those who had not finished to hurrry, because they also wanted to have their photo taken by their new friends. At the end of it all each one of them had a treasure bag to carry home.

P.2 pupils line up to have their photo taken

children carrying their treasure bags 2hours later

By: Claire Namukwaya,
Crafts Coordinator, CALU

Chess Program in St. Lawrence Migyera

Judy and Timmy carrying out a chess session at St. Lawrence

It was a happy 28^th Friday 2013 morning when chess game was introduced to St Lawrence primary school Migyera. Chess was introduced to both children and the teachers by the Well’s family headed by Timothy S. Cusack in companiship with Judy and Timmy.  Both children and the teachers very much enjoyed the game because it was so interesting. Some teachers had ever heard of the game but they had never got a chance of playing it. And for the Children it was their first time to hear of chess and when they were told that they were going to learn Chess, they were so eager to learn. And as I write, they are perfecting the game so well.

Still more, the Well’s family did not only teach St. Lawrence children only, but they further went on and Introduced Chess to another school called St. Josephs in Nabbingo were most of our primary sponsored Children who live around Nabbingo go for school. It was such a great moment when Timothy, Judy and Timmy stormed St. Josephs. The children were so much welcoming since they were so much eager and looking forward to learn chess.

Am so happy to see it that these two schools have established and formed a “CHESS CLUB” in these schools. Long live Change a life Uganda.

BY Lilian Nabanjala

Social Worker CALU

Safe Water Forever in Migyera

Migyera is one of the driest parts in central Uganda. The water table in the area is very poor. As a consequence, the communities are lacking supply of clean water for domestic use. School going children have to carry water in bottles for drinking while at school. For those whose families care to prepare it for them. However, majority of them stay thirsty at school since most schools in the area have no capacity to avail safe water to the pupils. As a result many children drink any water they come across. Waterborne diseases are common among children.

The intervention by Change A Life Uganda to initiate and work on the Water Project for Migyera creates great hope for acquiring safe water forever in Migyera. Change A Life Uganda has mobilized funds for the project and a great deal of work on the project has been done. The community is optimistic to this project.

By Wesige Andrew,

Education Coordinator,

Change A Life Uganda.

The Long Water-Wait Keeps on

 

Photo by Collins Kivumbi

Change a Life Uganda’s underground water well discovery did not even start or begin to explain how progressive the project has been. Following the many thumb-downs of any form of break throughs in water solutions in Migyera a village in the water stressed district of Nakasongola district, Change a Life Uganda has had enduring and courageous efforts to find lasting solutions to the problem.

Short term solutions like rain water harvesting and preservation interventions were made but the unforgiving prolonged droughts which are experienced in the area take their toll every year. In the search of a lasting and satisfying solution for the problem, Change a Life Uganda embarked on a successful survey for underground resources. A more potential and convenient site was spotted for drilling 1km away from the concentration area of the school, health center and town. 

Drilling at a depth (148ft) lower than the geological survey report(130ft)  findings, water begun to Sprawl out of the well and gushed and splashed out like it was coming from the ocean through a thin hole.

This does not mean the project is successful even when it was the most challenging undertaking  in the entire project design. A lot more work needs to be done to bring this lasting solution to the problem home. 

Having constructed the pump house built the tower reservoir, power extension to the pump station and enclosing the station area, a lot of work still desires a lot to be done about.  There is a huge need to acquire the pump and work on the pipe network to the collection spots for the residents to quench and kill their longtime water thirst. 

BY: Collins Kivumbi

        Procurement and Business Relations

        Change a Life Uganda

Health in Education programmes taken to St. Lawrence …..

The children at St. Lawrence are fortunate to have partners from US who come up with ideas and materials used daily in their daily lives. It is such a blessing that for some years since Dr. Evelyn Wells carries several toothbrushes for all the 498 pupils in the school together with staff.

Dr. Evelyn Wells conducting a dental session at. St.Lawrence

All the pupils young and old stare at this Doctor ‘a muzungu’ meaning white person with many expectations as she displays her teaching materials before them. Some look like they have never had of words like ‘toothbrush’ or ‘teeth’ I think its because of the American English used……. Its always a good moment since after every session every child walks home with a very fancy toothbrush and they decide to use it as if it has come from heaven as if they have never used one.

Such gifts make a big change in our children since they all feel they belong to the same family not only the ‘sponsored’. The hygiene is also improved and they feel cared for by the Organization and always look at giving back to others since they are viewed as special agents of CALU.

Thanks to the Jersey Shore Medical Center that keeps sending Doctors to our communities.

By: Juliet Nankumba

Sponsorship Coordinator, CALU

Teacher Professional Development at St. Lawrence School in Migyera

Teachers  in Uganda are one of the category of civil servants poorly paid by Government in terms of salaries. As a result very few teachers are capable to pay for their own upgrading. Prior to 2008, most of the teachers at St. Lawrence School were under trained. As a result the teaching approaches they were using could not help pupils to attain quality education. The community had lost interest in the school. Learners’ absenteeism, late reporting and dropouts were high.

Staff development scheme initiated in 2008 is helping teachers to upgrade their skills in pedagogy and management. Training is vital to the institution since it increases the confidence and commitment of staff, gives a feeling of personal satisfaction and achievement broadening opportunities for career progression

Between 2008 and to date, Five teachers have attained diplomas in education, one teacher, a Bachelor of Education degree and one teacher is pursuing a master’s degree. In addition, teaching staff regularly  attend professional development workshops and seminars to upgrade their skills in pedagogy.

The intervention of encouraging teachers to upgrade at St. Lawrence School has helped them to improve on their instructional techniques. Learners’ academic performance has greatly improved, for example failing rate of primary seven completer s has been put to zero. The community’s interest in school has also improved. Thus, their participation in school activities has increased. Learners absenteeism and drop out rates have reduced because they find meaning in what they learn.

By Wesige Andrew,
Education Coordinator,
Change A Life Uganda.

Kyakuwa Cissy, a Rising Beneficiary of Change a Life Uganda

Kyakuwa Cissy commonly addressed so by her family and friends is a 47 year old resident 0f migyera. She has 8 children of which Faith Nanyonjo and Senggonzi Michael students of St. Lawrence migyera are on the sponsorship program. She was a charcoal burner but had to quit due to a leg injury. She resorted to rearing of animals and crop farming which could not help her send all her children to school.

Cissy joined the change a life foundation and has been able to earn a living from the sales she makes from the CALU crafts project, and has used that money to send the rest of her children to school, complete construction of her house where she provides a room for the CALU crafts project known as BUMU craft shop, that works as a display for crafts and a workshop for the ladies in the CALU crafts program of Migyera. She has been able put her crafts man ship to use and is now famously known for her harvest basket. 

 Kyakuwa Cissy at Bumu craft shop holding a harvest basket

She is currently saving up to construct a rental facility to generate more income.

 By: Clair Namukwaya, crafts cordinator, CALU