Monday 8th February 2010
A 6.30am pick up from the hotel saw us heading back east for a trip out to the Buvuma Islands. At the Lugazi sugar factory we left the main road & drove 45 minutes to the lake shore. There was much discussion in the car about the mode of transport to take us to the main Island.
We were accompanied by Annette Kirabira (who initiated the school project with her husband) & Francis the Headmaster of the School. As we approached the shore Annette broke the news to us that we would be individually carried out to the boat, along with supplies of banans & charcoal for the islanders! When we saw the boat we were pleased that lifejackets were available for the one & a half hour crossing! Half way across it started to rain but it soon passed and was pleasantly hot on arrival.
A 6.30am pick up from the hotel saw us heading back east for a trip out to the Buvuma Islands. At the Lugazi sugar factory we left the main road & drove 45 minutes to the lake shore. There was much discussion in the car about the mode of transport to take us to the main Island.
We were accompanied by Annette Kirabira (who initiated the school project with her husband) & Francis the Headmaster of the School. As we approached the shore Annette broke the news to us that we would be individually carried out to the boat, along with supplies of banans & charcoal for the islanders! When we saw the boat we were pleased that lifejackets were available for the one & a half hour crossing! Half way across it started to rain but it soon passed and was pleasantly hot on arrival.
It was a short walk to the school through the bush and along a murram road that runs around the island. As we approached the school the children were playing outside. Francis the Headmaster then banged a gong & all the children immediately dropped to the ground (including Jon). The children then went into their classes and we went into each class to meet them. Due to the shortage of space most classrooms are divided in two by bamboo screens.
The school started in a temporary structure in 2008 with 2 nursery classes & 3 primary classes. Currently there are over 150 children who will attend this year (from 40 when the school started). This is impressive as in the past the local people have not considered formal education necessary because they could earn money fishing everyday. Most of the children in the school come from the main island, however, there are many children in the outlying islands who require an education. The plans for the school are to build more classrooms & dormitories so these children can stay on site during term time.
It is the only school on the island & is situated on a large plot of around 5 acres of mostly tropical vegetation stretching down to the shore. There was a really peaceful feel to the place. We met Pastor Collins who was busy helping out with some building works to some classrooms. He and Francis live at the school, along with the other 7 teachers. At the moment the living quarters for the teachers are inadequate. Annette & her husband Bernard have plans to increase the number of classrooms, provide accomodation for the teachers & start an income generating project on the site.
Before we left we took a photograph of all the children & teachers outside the temporary classroom block. We then headed back to the shore and spent a peaceful 20 minutes sitting by the lake surrounded by birds & cattle. We were then carried on to the boat for a scorching hot trip back to the mainland. Although we were only at the school for a couple of hours the journey was a 10 hour round trip!
The school started in a temporary structure in 2008 with 2 nursery classes & 3 primary classes. Currently there are over 150 children who will attend this year (from 40 when the school started). This is impressive as in the past the local people have not considered formal education necessary because they could earn money fishing everyday. Most of the children in the school come from the main island, however, there are many children in the outlying islands who require an education. The plans for the school are to build more classrooms & dormitories so these children can stay on site during term time.
It is the only school on the island & is situated on a large plot of around 5 acres of mostly tropical vegetation stretching down to the shore. There was a really peaceful feel to the place. We met Pastor Collins who was busy helping out with some building works to some classrooms. He and Francis live at the school, along with the other 7 teachers. At the moment the living quarters for the teachers are inadequate. Annette & her husband Bernard have plans to increase the number of classrooms, provide accomodation for the teachers & start an income generating project on the site.
Before we left we took a photograph of all the children & teachers outside the temporary classroom block. We then headed back to the shore and spent a peaceful 20 minutes sitting by the lake surrounded by birds & cattle. We were then carried on to the boat for a scorching hot trip back to the mainland. Although we were only at the school for a couple of hours the journey was a 10 hour round trip!
Rianna's Fund
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