High quality education for children in Uganda

We send you warm greetings from the children and grandmothers of Nyaka and Kutamba schools in Uganda.  We are grateful for your investment that has brought 10 years of improved conditions into the body, heart, mind, and soul of hundreds of children and thousands of grandmothers.  This year over 70 secondary school students are excelling in their studies and passing their exams.  Over 300 primary students study intensely so that like the 2010 graduating class they can place in the top 3% of all 220 schools in the district.  Meanwhile, 60 preschoolers walk many miles on very short legs, eager to learn English and their ABCs and 123s each and every day. 

Statistics show that children who attend pre-school enter primary school with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic math skills than those who do not. To get children started on this positive track to becoming well educated citizens, 60 of some of the youngest orphans are now enrolled in kindergarten classes at both Kutamba and Nyaka Primary Schools. These students, ages 4-5, are studying English (Uganda’s national language) to complement Rukiga, their native tongue. Like the elder students, they have been promised an education all the way up to university as long as they pass their national exams.

For students of Nyaka who are less academically inclined and wish to pursue an income generating trade, vocational training is now being made available. Nyaka realizes the importance of building a strong vocational program for these students. Tailoring and computer skills are now being offered and there are plans to add more workshops and training for construction jobs in the near future.

Hannington attended driving school and is now employed by Nyaka as a driver. This means that despite suffering as an orphan, he has a steady income which he uses to help care for his elderly grandmother nearby. All things tend to come full circle and on a recent visit he drove Director Jackson around!

This year, because of The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project’s generous donors, more students than ever are being supported – over 530! However, as we look into the future, the need to build a secondary school is becoming increasingly clear, as it costs $500/student annually to send the students to outlying boarding schools. As more young students graduate primary school the need for this initiative is becoming more urgent. Please watch for more updates on this project soon.

The best is yet to come!

Links:

• Volunteer!
• Spring 2011 Newsletter
• Read Jackson's Book

Last month The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project happily announced primary student Justine’s pending trip to the United States.  You may recall that a few years ago Justine was badly injured in an accident with a paraffin lamp. The purpose of this trip was to undergo surgery on burns that were inhibiting her ability to smile and move properly. It has now been a few weeks since her first in a series of surgeries, and the doctors are very pleased with her progress.  In addition to the work done around her chin and mouth, her doctor would like to do another surgery around her nose and collarbone, but must wait a few months in order for her to heal properly.

Justine is taking full advantage of her recuperation time in the United States. At first, she was a little wary of the food but has now become more accustomed to the large variety of choices. Eating properly is very important as her body continues to heal.  Even though Justine’s primary job is allowing her body to heal at this time, she is not missing out on her education.  She’s been working with a teacher on decimals, adjectives, verbs, comprehension, and improving her reading skills.  In Uganda, children must pass a national exam annually in order to advance to the next level of education. It is critical for this young girl to remain engaged.  Luckily, Justine (like all The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project students) is fiercely dedicated to her education, as she knows it is her ticket to a successful and prosperous life.  Most recently, an increased interest in reading has caused her to devour every book she could get her hands on.    Including a copy of “A School for My Village,” written by Executive Director Jackson Kaguri. Justine has also begun writing in a journal, easing the pain of the surgeries by keeping hilarious accounts of her new experiences.  

However, Justine isn’t spending all her time studying. She enjoys doing arts and crafts and making jewelry. Her host, Ruth, is always finding little gifts left around the house.   Justine has exhibited courage, strength, and optimism throughout her travels, surgery, and continued recovery. Soon after she heals, Justine will return to Nyakagyezi, with her injuries well on their way to being healed, to be reunited with all of her friends and family at the Nyaka Primary School.

Thank you for your support of The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project in this initiative to provide yet another HIV/AIDS orphan with a healthy future, free of poverty and full of potential for success.  

Links:

• The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project Website
• Click here to view the Book Tour dates!