Classrooms and farming help Tanzanian school kids

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Due to your generosity, we have now extended our sustainable farming programme to 4 more primary schools. The total number of schools which have benefitted from this programme now is 11.

The four new schools are:

Bulamba primary school – total number of pupils                  755

Nebuye primary school      total number of pupils                  750

Bugolora primary school1       total number of pupils             1,378

Bugombe primary school total number of pupils                    798

Total number of pupils benefitting from this new initiative 3,681

The schools were chosen by the representatives of the Foundation for Farmers Services (FFS) in Ukerewe taking into account staff commitment, community involvement and availability of land and water.

We’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the FFS in which the aims have been described as:

Primary Aims

To facilitate the formation of environmental clubs and committees in schools and to train members on organizational development. Schools will recruit each year new members to the clubs and committees to ensure continuity.

To enhance the capacity of school children and teachers to adopt sustainable land use management practices resulting in the development of ‘model farms’. The purpose of such farms is to grow seasonal crops to provide pupils porridge or other food items cooked in school premises, as frequently as possible.

To create awareness about the importance of protecting the environment, reducing waste and recycling.

Secondary aims

Cultivation of cash crops which may be sold to generate income. Such income must be used
Priority 1 - to make the project sustainable (eg: purchase of seeds, farming implements, cooking utensils, Cook Houses) Priority 2 – to help the purchase of essential school items.

To improve school attendance and performance.

Contribute to environmental protection by planting new trees, reducing waste, recycling especially plastics and to promote these concepts to the wider community.

To promote to the wider community farming methods which are sustainable and help increase productivity. 

BACKGROUND

There are 123 primary schools in Ukerewe each with about 1000 pupils, classes with over 200 pupils. Many children walk long distances to get to school, often with nothing to eat or drink. Many schools have no access to water, toilet, books, learning materials or sports.

Ukerewe is the largest inhabited island in Lake Victoria accessed by 3.5-hour ferry journey from the nearest Tanzania town of Mwanza.

Its remote location has perhaps contributed to its under development. The infrastructure of schools, hospital and health centres are precarious and the facilities minimal.

A whole generation of young people have been caught up in this cycle of poverty and deprivation – it is not their fault. They deserve support.

With generous support from Rotary and others we have improved water supply to some schools, built toilets, equipped science lab, library and have introduced IT studies as well as supporting children with Albinism.

In 2015, we also started a sustainable farming project and have currently 11 schools which grow crops so that the pupils can have breakfast two or three times a week.

We continue to be in contact with our friends in Ukerewe offering them friendship and support as they face the challenges of the Pandemic.

Thank you for caring for the people of Ukerewe. If you need more information, I’ll be pleased to hear from you.

Dr John Philip
Chairman, International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals
Past Rotary District Governor (D1040), The Rotary Foundation Cadre Coordinator
Highfield House, Red Shute Hill
Hermitage, RG18 9QH, United Kingdom

+44 (0) 7889 388038

Monday, 14 June 2021