Education for Poor Children!

Hello friends of ADR and the Hammerslag School,

Uganda is implementing comprehensive efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Recently, the government has been gradually easing lockdowns on different sectors as advised by a technical team of scientists and the Ministry of Health. A decision was made to allow education institutions’ to reopen in a phased manner under the clear standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The Ministry of Education and sports is issuing SOP guidelines to help education institutions take the necessary steps to mitigate the risk of transmission and to reduce the impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning. Phased Re-opening of Educational Institutions started on 15^th October 2020 for candidate classes (P7, S4 & S6) and final year students in higher institutions of learning (Universities). We have been following the guidelines to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff. This includes an extensive list of provisions and protocols in regard to school facilities, programming, and staffing capacities.   

In complying with the measures, we have been able to use donations to promote and put in place, good health practices. We were able to purchase disinfectants and sanitizers for use around the school and install one hand washing station with available funds (we will need to raise money to provide one in every student block). We also purchased a new solar battery, replacement bulbs and new wiring in all the classrooms to keep the school compound lit at night for the boarding student’s safety and learning. New cooking utensils and plates for both students and staff were bought to avoid them using supplies from their home and increasing the risk of disease transmission.

The funds also helped to renovate the school kitchen shelter which was blown off by the storm we experienced at the start of rainy season in February, as well as replace timber eaten by termites. There is still a need to build a more secure (concrete) structure to house our kitchen facilities in the future, which we will need to fundraise for.

Additional donations are needed for ensure all students have the required masks for returning safely to classrooms. This is currently the responsibility of parents, which has been difficult for many families to provide in these times of hardship.

Teachers rent and payment remains a challenge and they live in very poor accommodations with the limited funds we receive. As of now, the only housing we can provide has no lighting or adequate toilet facilities, with teachers having to walk to school to use the one constructed with your support. To help improve the livelihoods of our staff, we kindly ask for a small increase in your monthly donations that can be used to increase the teacher’s pay and help to construct better housing.

Supplying enough food has been another ongoing challenge. The funds we get can only provide one meal a day for both the students and teachers amidst increase spending necessary to meet disease prevention protocols. Furthermore, the children remain without adequate bedding and mattresses. Many aspects of their current living conditions need great improvement, especially in the times of COVID-19.

As always, SHARE Project deeply appreciates all the single and recurring donations that help to educate rural vulnerable children in Pallisa Uganda, and to do so amidst pandemic challenges. That said, we do hope you will consider increasing your support during these most difficult times to make sure our teachers and students remain safe and cared for. We also recognize this has been a year of suffering and loss for everyone across the world, and we send our well wishes to you and your families.

With thanks and love,

-Charles Olupot