Uganda School Project

I had the great privilege of visiting Masindi in Uganda in February this year. I happened to be in the right place at the right time when it was being discussed in my school which teacher should go out this year, along with a teacher who went last year and two year 10 students. I was delighted! This is a Bristol wide project which has been running for about 6 years and has grown significantly since the outset. I think about 5 schools from Bristol and Masindi were in at the beginning and now 17 schools from each country are involved. The purpose behind the project is to foster closer relationships between our two countries and cultures and to learn from each other in the context of education. Of course, the material needs of the schools in Masindi are huge, and we work together to enable them to equip their schools with some of the things which we would regard as absolute necessities.

I was based, along with Mike (a colleague at Henbury School), Izzi and Jon (both Year 10 students), at Masesco (Masindi Secondary School). From the moment of our arrival to our last day at the school we were overwhelmed by the warmth, respect and hospitality of all those we met, both students, staff and their families.

The school buildings are very basic - a few brick constructions with no doors or windows. Inside each classroom are several long wooden benches, made from the trees in the school grounds, a small table for the teacher and a black rectangle painted on the front wall for a chalk-board. Very few classrooms have electricity and there are four computers in the whole school of 900 students. Science has the monopoly on the computers, as they have installed some software which demonstrates scientific experiments and procedures. There is no gas, water or chemicals for the students to be able to learn and use these skills for themselves. I was sometimes in classes of 60+ students, who were all trying to see a small computer monitor at the front!
 

For me and the colleagues and students who came with us, it was a very humbling and life-changing experience. I am grateful that Redland Park has decided to adopt Masesco School as our charity for this year, as any money raised will go directly to the school, to buy much needed equipment and books. The teachers and students deserve it! I am also grateful to those of you who have offered to sponsor an orphaned child in order that they might complete their education. Education inUganda is free at primary school level and for the first two years of secondary school, but then many have to drop out because their families cannot afford the school fees of about £60 -£75 per year. I am currently negotiating with the Head teacher of  Masesco what is the best way to manage this, so it is never too late, if you haven’t got round to giving me your name yet!
 

Despite the crowded classes and lack of facilities, the students I met and observed were amazing. They showed respect for each other (despite being squashed up on the wooden benches) and for their teachers, came equipped with their little exercise book and pencil and were clearly desperate to learn. They know that their way out of poverty depends on knowledge and, more importantly, acquisition of skills. The tragedy is that, though they may learn about skills, the school cannot afford the tools or materials for them to practise these skills.

I attended a Geography lesson on the cycle of poverty – extremely interesting to follow this from an African perspective – and found that, though the way ahead feels like an impossible mountain to climb, these young people bear no resentment, nor have they any intention of giving up. Their slogan is: “Forgetting the past and looking to the future”.

Not all schools in the area are as poor as Masesco, though there is no comparison with our schools i the UK. One other secondary school I visited, for example, has a  suite, with 30 computers, and a library which is very adequately equipped. Though all the students at Masesco are constantly encouraged to read, as an essential way of helping with their learning, there are precious few books in their library, and most very dated. We did take quite a few books with us, but they need so much more.

Lesley Brentley

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