Educate a Child Uganda’s students finished a very successful first year at boarding school  in  December 2014..

Our children - Lawrence, Hamuza, Alex, Teopista, Olivia, Vanessa Phionah, Gabrielle, and little Joven  all moved up and started their new school  year in February 2015.

Lawrence, Teopista, Hamuza, and Alex and now Olivia are thriving at their  boarding school, where they receive three meals a day, participate in sports, and have  time and a place to study. These children "blossomed" at boarding school. Compared to a year ago they all gained tremendous self assurance, confidence and pride in their accomplishments at school.

Kasule Michael, the program founder and director, and his assistant Jjuko did a tremendous job supporting the children, meeting with their teachers and parents, dropping them off, picking them up, and making sure they all had the school supplies they needed. We pay for school fees and supplies which include brooms, books, pencils, pens, and uniforms.

I was lucky to have the wonderful experience this past August 2014 to visit our program. I spent three weeks in Kampala with the children, Michael, Julie, and their delightful daughter, one year old Phyllis.

 Phyllis in her christening dress with Grandma and Mummy Julie, August 2014 Michael and Phyllis

We held a week long “learning workshop” in the garden behind my hotel. Some of the children’s siblings joined us for our “reading club", games, puzzles, big lunches and snacks, and a final fun day at the amusement park in Kampala.

The children are loving, friendly, bright, helpful, and a joy to be with.

Reading Club

I went to all the schools - nursery for Joven and Gabrielle (Gaby), Olivia’s public school, and the boarding school for the older group – I met the teachers and reviewed the children’s report cards and discussed their progress with the teachers, who are all committed and work very hard, under rather difficult conditions, from my perspective.

Kawaza Parents School: Principal and teachers with our students

The boarding school we chose for Lawrence, Teopista, Alex, Olivia and Hamuza – Kawazu Parent’s School - is in Kampala and the classes are small enough so the children have the individual attention they need. There is nothing fancy about the school. It is basic, the children sleep in multibed dorms, and eat nutritious plain meals. They love it!

Teopista in her dorm room at Kawazu Parents School, Kampala

I also visited the families – I travelled to Lawrence and Hamuza’s village near Jinga. I met and visited with their mothers, grandmothers, uncles and aunts, who all warmly welcomed me into their homes. They are most appreciative of the support the children are receiving from Educate a Child Uganda and understand how important a good education is for their childrens' futures.

Hamuza and his family at home in his village.

I was impressed with their commitment to the children and they all help as much as they can with funds for school supplies.

 We also visited the home of our special child, Olivia, who is living with HIV infection. She  stays with her grandmother and several other young cousins in her grandmother’s care.

Olivia did well in her public school despite being in a class of 75 other students. She loved our reading club. She is an amazingly sweet child with huge eyes and a wonderful capacity for joy. She has had a difficult time but is optimistic and filled with love and enthusiasm for life. She was happy playing and learning  with the other children who are attending the boarding school, so this  new term she has  join them at Kawazu Parents School. Michael made  the arrangements so she is  receiving  her medications that are essential to maintain her health.

Olivia with her grandmother and cousins outside their home in Kampala.

We visited a small village near Masaka, several hours by car south of Kampala, crossing the equator. Jjuko Joachim, Michael's assistant  a university student who grew up in this village, accompanied us. His parents are not living but he has uncles and cousins there. We met his young cousin Phionah. She is a bright girt who loves school and would benefit from a better school. This past term we have supported her school fees at the local public school but decided to add her to our program starting in the new term, February 2015. She is  now attending  a very good  boarding school closer to her village.

Jjuko and Phionah in their village.

We are also including another lovely young girl, Vanessa, who attended our summer reading program. She is bright, motivated, and cannot attend boarding school without additional support.

Here are our children:

Olivia

Alex

Lawrence

Hamuza

Vanessa  Teopista

Gaby

Joven at her pre-school

 We introduced the children to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss books:

Lawrence and Olivia, who are a little behind in reading, did like Green Eggs and Ham and  read it over and over.

Kampala has one amusement park so we all went there for a special day: School Costs:

Our costs are $800 per child for the entire school year at the boarding school for seven  children. This includes transport, supplies, extra tutoring if needed, and a small stipend for Michael.

Fees are paid three times a year so if you are interested in giving monthly donations that is much appreciated as our costs are ongoing.

The two younger children are in day school and their yearly costs are $300 a year per child.

One of our donors is sponsoring Lawrence who is very happy about this and writes letters to his sponsor to let him know about his progress.

I f you are interested in sponsoring one of the other children at boarding school the cost will be $800, which covers all expenses for the entire year.

The students thank you very much and truly appreciate your help. Michael, Jjuko and I also thank you for helping these very deserving and bright young future leaders obtain a quality education so they can and will contribute to a better future for Uganda and our world

Thank you, 

Phyllis