 |

|
A lively church
community
where all are
welcome |
|
 |
|
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 |
|
Return to
Charities main |
|

|