24 Graduate @ Rubanda Solidarity School

The 2011 school calendar ended with  24 students graduating from nursery to primary school at Rubanda Solidarity school premises. 

Congratulations to you all !

The first of December 2011 will always be an unforgettable and historical date at Rubanda Solidarity Nursery and Primary school and the entire community of Rubanda. Amidst jubilations and excitement, 24 of the Nursery Top students graduated to Primary one.

The colorful day was graced by various  guests with Ms Vastine representing the district's Education officer, District Inspector of schools as our guest speaker, Mr Ruhumuriza as the diocesan education secretary, parents of the graduands and others, the community members, school children, staff and administration were all part of the colours of the day. It was indeed a moving and an inspiring moment seeing to see these young and great men and women of tomorrow in colourful gowns, a symbol of hope and a bright future. "This is the foundation of all future gowns/degrees to better life", the director general commented.

This cute boy reads the graduands' speech

Stellamaris K. & Teachers join graduands

In his opening speech, the founder of the school Fr. Dominic Tumusiime,  reminded the community that Rubanda Solidarity school stands for the community development through quality education to children.
 
He emphatically said, "Children are a responsibility for all" and this school is in the realization of this universal and noble call inspired by the very words of Christ, "Leave the little children come to me and do not hinder them for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Mt 19:14"

Students dance for graduands while parents & visitors watch

It seems, there is no way in modern times, how man can come out of poverty alienated of quality education which should be an integral development of a child. And nursery education has been curved to fill these gaps that children and the society would miss once not found in their families. Nursery education therefore is aimed at providing the backbone of education which our kids greatly need today more than ever before.

In their inspirational speech (see top right pic.), the graduands thanked God for giving them parents and guardians who  care unlike many kids who suffer and are not in school around their communities. For even some of these children's brothers and sisters are not in school because parents can't afford  the requirements or others even do not care at all of child education. They know of many of their friends still who are in public school and are not able to distinguish a from b even in grade two.

After their graduation the kids pointed at the future with a smile and hope

The graduands thanked the school administration for the good vision and mission " Improve quality of life through the provision of quality education to children". They hailed the commendable good work all their teachers, matrons and all staff are doing. When asked to mention one aspect of the good things teachers and all staff are doing, one kid said, " they teach us well in class and good manners". They also thanked the school  surrounding community (neighbours), for providing peace and security for them. 

With special gratitude, the graduands appreciated and thanked all their friends and school friends who partner with the school to make their life better and their school time an enjoyable time. "Thank you all", they conclude.
 Then, amidst cheers and laud acclamations from the  parents, visitors and the whole congregation, the graduands were matched to the high table for the last part of their ceremony where they enjoyed a delicious lunch before they left for their vacation in the company of their parents and guardians. That was a day to be remembered.

Some of the visitors who conferred certificates to the students 2011.12.01

This kid above handles her precious gown as she draws inspirations from the guests of the day into her own future carrier .  Let's wait and see what comes out of her as I remember being challenged by one kid who asked me, "Uncle, what's wrong with the adults of today? They do not give us advice, they only shout at us".

Certainly the society of today needs more role models that these kids can look at and rely upon to find a clear way into an easier but complex world.

Un inverno migliore (A better winter)

E 'un inverno migliore di quest'anno.

Quando si tratta di inverno in Rubanda, è davvero freddo, parruccone ma senza neve. I mesi di giugno ad agosto sono famose mesi secchi fornendo sole molto caldo durante il giorno e notti fredde esatto contrario e la mattina.

L'altro periodo dell'anno, ha mescolato se di aria calda e fredda che è sempre a disagio per i bambini a scuola. Come un dispositivo di riscaldamento bambini vengono prima impegnati in esercizi fisici per generare il calore del corpo su un assieme prima di poter entrare nelle loro aule.

Durante il vostro ultimo viaggio in Uganda, Terry e Cristina avete condiviso con la nostra parte figli di questo fatto e non si poteva credere quanto duri questi bambini subito la freddezza con i loro vestiti del tempo non amichevole opure non buoni per freddo. Grazie per essere venuto e condividere la nostra povertà e si avvicinò con un atto di carità a fare la differenza.

Ringraziamo tutti voi che hanno dato con generosità ai nostri figli di avere i ponticelli per la freddezza agghiacciante. I ponticelli bella calda che ha fornito loro non solo hanno mantenuto la freddezza via del loro corpo, ma ha aggiunto migliaia di sorrisi tonnellata loro volti.

Sappiamo quanto si formano una buona squadra di entrambi i coordinatori e sostenitori di Ospitaletto con Francesca e Villa Carcina con Terry e Cristina.
Ricorda, qualsiasi cosa fatta per i poveri con amore porta gioia perenne e trasforma i cuori.

I vostri figli si inviano un sacco di gioiosa gratitudine e vi auguriamo un felice natale. Essi sono dovuti andare per la loro vacanza dicembre 1 / 2011 fino a gennaio 6 / 2012.

Possa Dio continuare a benedire voi fino a quando ci incontreremo di nuovo.


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It's a better winter this year.

When it comes to winter in Rubanda, its really cold, fogy though snow-less. The months of June through August are famous dry months providing very hot sun during the day and very opposite cold nights and mornings.
The other period of the year has mixed whether of warm and cold air that is always uncomfortable for children in the school. As a heating device children are first engaged in physical exercises to generate body heat on an assembly before they can enter their classrooms.

During your last trip to Uganda, Terry and Claudia you shared with our children part of this whether and you couldn't believe how tough these children endured the coldness with their non weather friendly clothes. Thank you  for coming and sharing our poverty  and came up with an act of charity to make a difference. 

We thank all of you who have given generously to our children to have jumpers for chilling coldness. The beautiful warm jumpers you provided them have not only kept the coldness  away of their body but added thousands of smiles ton their faces.

We know how much you make up a good team of  both co-coordinators and supporters from Ospitaletto with Francesca and Villa Carcina with Terry and Claudia.

Remember, anything done to the poor with love bears everlasting joy and transforms the hearts.

Your children send you plenty of joyful gratitude and wish you a Happy Christmas . They are due to go for their vacation on December 1/2011 until January 6/2012.



May God continue to bless you until we meet again.

 A study Trip through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of

Western Uganda.

"Quality Education" Is Our Key Mission to "Improved Quality of Life"

 It was on 12th November that our children of Rubanda Solidarity Nursery/Primary school made their first historical study trip to "Bwindi impenetrable forest" in western Uganda. The students were eager to learn but much more than that, they wanted to see what nature still holds in store for them and their nation. Below, see this amazing forest from one angle snap.


Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Western Uganda 2011



Students study causes of rains and waterfalls 2011



Like Sr Beatrice we hope these children will make a difference of Rubanda.

These students are just fascinated at nature

"The day was long for the kids because it was rainy, long drive, cold snacks,  walking through wet jungles, fear of wild animals though in tight security by game rangers. They also  returned to school quite late and tired", the projects coordinator acknowledged.
But for the kids things seemed different. " It was fun traveling far away, spending a day in the jungle tracking elephants and Chimpanzees, Baboons and Gorillas,  eating packed foods, listening to the birds and animals singing in the jungles and finding shelter under trees against the rains amidst thunder storms fears", one of the students narrated.The pictures tell it all.



students navigate through the humus jungle

It was a real study trip for kids. Have a look through the pictures and get inspired of the beauty of nature in Uganda and much more of the future generations to conserve it. These children are a big hope and we need to invest in them with a knowledge that is creative and world loving.

They get inspired while walking through the jungle and seeing its richness in spite of how much devastation and harm humanity has been done to it in their surrounding communities.



Rubanda Solidarity school-grades 5 &6 2011

 Rubanda Solidarity school believes in  "improved quality of life. And we hope that these children's  quality education will enable them to make a difference in life and conservation of our environment in to improve live in  very near future.


From its bare eroded hills and valleys, Rubanda is almost understood that more than 70% of its  green carpet has been destroyed through deforestation and reclamation due to acute need for fuel and land that have increased with population pressure. These issues among others have not only left these hills and valleys bare but run out of natural resources and highly threatening as dangerous future social economic hazards to the entire community and nation.

Thanks to the international and national conservation  efforts that have enabled to sustain Bwindi impenetrable forest as a remaining home hundreds of the remaining animal and bird species and maintained the security of the jungle to continue to provide leaves, roots, tree back skins and herbs, the local pharmacy. It also provided a platform for birds and animals music as they always enjoy jungle recreations. Here you can find the most unseen species of the world white elephants, Chimpanzees and so on. 


The teaching staff team discussing their study findings 14th Nov. 2011

Its amazing to see how many children of Rubanda today  have not had a chance to see animals, birds and tree species that their teachers talk about in class or read about in books in look. One of the students  exclaimed as he saw an elephant in the jungle, "now I will not forget the ivory that the African slaves were forced to carry during the slave trade because I have seen two on the elephant", she narrated. Yet another boy "Oh, those beautiful fresh waters that I stood by get a snap, I will never fail that exam", he affirms to the teacher.

The Head Teacher and class teacher give kids confidence as the water roars.

Yes, this is the objective of our mission that draws its foundation from the quality education we provide. An education that provides life skills, academic and religious impact on a child for a better tomorrow. So, we are in pursuit of this quality education in season and out of season. And the administration is very grateful to the parents and the community who have actively inserted themselves with them to achieve their goal.

The administration, knows how much trouble and sacrifice parents go through squeezing from the very meager resources and biting chronic poverty to build up a better future for their children and the nation.

May the good Lord continue to bless your generosity and provide you with a ability for more esteem  and hard work..

 On a rainy morning, more than fifty children were flagged off by their fellow students to the jangles with their eyes and ears raised high to see the unseen in their history. They always heard of animal like elephants, monkeys, baboons, buffaloes, cheaters, bush backs, lions and the famous Ugandan Chimpanzees but had never seen one of them. This was an exciting day for them including their teacher.   

The school Management Committee under the Leadership of Sr. Stellamaris  after their 3rd annual meeting Nov.2011

The last picture above is the School Management Committee that plays a very significant role in the school's management and  development. Its composition is amazing: Founding body, community representatives body and local government representatives.

Ugandan kids dance at their 49th Independence Day

Ugandans  are proud of  their country's independence, 49 years ago on October  9, 1962.  

Gaze at the picture of proud Kids of the Pearl of Africa as they represent the nation to invite you to join them in the match to equip them for the tough years a head of them.

Ugandan children joyfully dance at the nation's 49th independence Day celebrations in Lira Oct. 9th 2011

Below, enjoy the Google Uganda Logo created for the Day celebrations as well, Published on: Monday, October 10th, 2011

"Kick Mosquitoes out of our school"

Students receive their new Mosquito nets: Oct. 2011

At last mosquitoes are being kicked out of Rubanda Solidarity Nursery and Primary school.

For many years mosquitoes have been the biggest trouble to our kids in our school. A month ago a curious visitor made a risk to ask the kids to mention to him the three good things  they are enjoying at their school and make Rubanda Solidarity school unique.

One of the kids said, '' studying well", another mentioned "eating three meals a day" yet  another said, " here we do not work too hard".

Pausing another question, the visitor asked the  kids to mention three things that trouble them most. With no hesitation, one jumped up to say, " at night we do not sleep because mosquitoes hummer us hard". It's amazing to see how all the children's answers are so innocent and clear to the point. They are what goes on at their school.

Kids excited learn how to prepare their beds: Oct. 2011

Let me say something more on what they mentioned as troubling them most (mosquitoes). Since the school started in 2004, we have seen kids come and go through one class to another. Many fall sick and recover with services from the nearby Rubanda healthy center that offers quality services amidst out numbering  patients to to being the only healthy facility in the community. Its well known that most of our kids get sick of malaria which is also the most common killer disease  in the community. Hence, the kid's last answer hit  right to the point.

Amazingly, May this year,  Dr. Bruce Murray from Grants Pass  Oregon, -USA, working with a team of doctors without borders, had paid a courtesy visit to this very school and looked in their dormitories noticing no single bed having a mosquito net. Wondering whether the community was exceptionally immune of mosquitoes, on his return, Dr. Bruce asked Fr. Dominc Tumusiime, who is a netive and founder of the school, if Rubanda community had mosquito problems like the rest of other communities do in Uganda. Knowing quite well that malaria is the first killer disease in the community, I confessed immediately with a yes.

Kids can't believe that they can be inside with no mosquitoes to bite

Through our discussion, I notices as if Dr. Bruce  seemed to be asking me if the lack of mosquito nets was lack of knowledge. This prompted me to say "no, actually the mosquito nets project is one of our major priorities in the school needs plan but its down  to the bottom due to greater priorities on our list with minimal funds from the community contribution".

It's amazing to see how much and swiftly Dr. Bruce has worked hard since then. He has been contacting his friends, finding time to narrate the beautiful and horrible experiences he saw and his friends have responded generously to his program, "Kick mosquitoes out of the school". Its targeting to raise about 4,000 dollars to buy 309 new mosquito nets for 309 students.  The photos in the article show a batch of kids who have benefited from the project's first circle. Each mosquito net costs about 12$ including other items, transport and labour.

"I have no enough words to express the happiness from these kids  and the entire community. These days, early in the morning, one notices serene faces unlike in the paste when kids would be seen sleepy right away on the first activity on assembly throughout the day", the head teacher recalls.

Look at the pictures to see how things have changed and how much happiness is revealed on the faces of our kids. They say, " mosquitoes are now history". The question now  is how about those kids who have not yet received?. You could be the next generous friend to add to the list and serenity.

"Thank you Dr. Bruce Murray for visiting us in Rubanda from all the way and donating  a big difference; healthy, life and a new smile to our community", the school directness Sr. Beatrice writes. Your mission to Uganda was real and as you once mentioned it to me, you are giving back to God what he has given you in life. Especially your energy and love. And special gratitude to all your friends and our partners.

To you all, our kids send special greetings to say, "you mean a lot to us", the projects coordinator Mr. Rogers noted on the ceremony of handing over the new mosquito nets to the kids.

We all  say, " Thank you and Welcome to Rubanda".

African smiles begin as early as a rising sun!!

These kids are learning how to make an African smile. They are cute. They are  proud because of their chance to early education knowing quite well that there are many visible and invisible children out there who starve of similar  smiles. Their great eyes and smiles invite you to a tireless defense of their rights. Your tender hand could hold them a candle that leads to the sun rise. 

In Rubanda community, we have many kids who become parents at an early age. When kids lose both or one of the parents, kids get unwanted new name " orphan". From then, they become parents to themselves and to their siblings. Its sad but real. Within acute and chronic poverty environment, these kids start parenting each other at an early and tender age for both personal and family survival. You could imagine what they will not search for. That's what an orphan child goes through in Rubanda. And the order of their parenting skills follows the order of their seniority. The older become fathers and mothers to their younger. Why all this? HIV/AIDS is the greatest factor adding to the rising family and cultural social breakdown.  To know more on  the invisible children look at the picture below from the Uganda New Vision news paper and read the story among many that compels thousands of kind and generous hearts to act the way they amazingly do for children.

Facing Death at the hand of a spouse

Elsie Kamire's grandchildren. They were abandoned when their father killed their mother before hanging himself. PHOTO BY Johnson Mayamba. 

By Johnson Mayamba.

Posted  Monday, October 17  2011 at  00:00

In Summary

According to a review on gender based violence in Sub Saharan Africa, Uganda ranks number one with the highest percentage at 60. Unless efforts are made to deal with the problem, the country will experience more deaths of especially women and children.

On April 5, 2011, residents of Terere Village, Nkokonjeru Sub-County in Mukono District were shocked to find Shamim Nyunjimana brutally murdered by her husband who later hanged himself in the near by bush.

Nyunjimana who was eight months pregnant had been married to Ezekiel Masente for close to two years. When her mother Maria Kabanyana gave her away at the age of 16 to a 53-year-old man for a kilogramme of sugar and a bar of soap, she did not know that she was giving her away as a sacrificial lamb. Some people blame Kabanyana for her daughter’s death.

Elsie Kamiire, 76 years and Nyunjimana’s mother-in-law accuses Kabanyana of forcing her daughter to get married to Masente. She says that when Kabanyana realised that her daughter was in love with Masente, she forced her to demand an introduction from Masente which he was not ready to do at the time. It is alleged that Kabanyana then demanded that if Masente could not pay everything at once, he should first get Shs500,000 before taking her daughter, which Masente agreed to do.

Masente then bought a kilogramme of sugar and a bar of soap which he gave to Nyunjimana to take to her mother to get permission from her to be his wife. Kabanyana who admitted to have received the items and gave her daughter a go ahead, said this was Masente’s initiative and that she did not ask for the items but money from him. “That was Masente’s own initiative. He agreed to pay Shs500,000 before taking my daughter. When he sent the items, I thought he was serious, that is why I gave her a go a head,” Kabanyana said.

It is said that few months later, Nyunjimana got pregnant which prompted her mother to recall her from her husband’s place saying the man had not paid everything and that it was wrong for her to carry his child.

Nyunjimana then started spending most of her days at her mother’s place and would only go back to her husband’s place at 7pm till 6am. This became a problem according to Matia Ntagganila, a neighbour to the deceased.

Ntagganila says that Masente stopped providing for the family as he accused Nyunjimana several times of cheating on him with other men. “This is what caused the quarrel on that fateful night prompting the man to cut his wife into pieces,” Ntagganila said.

Nyunjimana’s death is one among many. In fact, on that same night, in the next village, Tom Ramech, 35, beat his wife Harriet Nabibu to death on allegations that she was dating other men for money. At Lugazi Police Station on April 7, Florence Kedodi, 40 years, had come to report her husband. She says he had promised to kill her.

Kedodi says that when she fell sick, her husband Sam Katerega, 50, abandoned her with their four children at Mulago Hospital. “He sold all the property at home including the house we had built and married a younger woman leaving me with nothing. When I complained, he said he will kill me,” Kedodi narrated. The stories of such women abound everyday in different parts of the country.

The three kids in the above story is one among many where children are forced to parenthood at ab early age in Rubanda. 

The Rubanda Solidarity's mission is to make a difference and provide hope to these kids. Because we are convinced that helping these visible and invisible kids to cope up with their new realities is all what their smile is about and deserves. 

Please, if you feel to join us in this mission, just post your comment and request and we shall reach you soon.

He died so young, just @ eight

Funeral Mass for Avitus Ainesaasi 30/9/2011

Children and staff of Rubanda Solidarity Nursery & Primary School  and the community of Rubanda are mourning the death of Avitus Ainesaasi.

Ainesaasi died on 28/9/2011 at the age of eight years at Rugarama hospital in Kabale.

Prial to his death, Avitus spent the whole day at school learning and playing normally without signs of healthy discomforts.

In the evening, as usual, Avitus joined other kids to the assembly and as the school closed he joined his friends, brother and sister going home.

After dinner, he joined his brothers and sisters to play and later went to sleep.Early in the morning as it was his habit, Avitus did not wake up raising fears among his parents who went to check on him. To their dismay, they found he was in bad shape and only fit for hospital emergency. With the nearest hospital at a distance of more that 20 kilometers away and with none existent ambulances, he was rushed to a nearby Rubanda healthy center who found that his health condition had deteriorated and referred him to Kabale hospital where he died shortly after arriving. The  cause of his death is not yet known with certainty.


More than the staff, his fellow children miss him a lot. However, they have been  assured and consoled by Rev.Dominic Tumusiime, the founder of the school, that at the tender age Ainesaasi has met his death, blameless as he was, has gone to God in heaven as the first saint from the school and is praying for all of us.

Ainesaasi, your family, your sponsor, our school and the whole community of Rubanda will  miss your smiles and love. However, as we all feel the pitch of the deep hole you have left behind, your death at that tender age is your blameless journey to behold the eternal life.

We will miss you but hope to see you once again when our time comes.

Good bye.

Rest in Eternal Peace.

Eight years walking

From the humble beginnings of 2004 these kids are now the teens below

Welcome back to school Kids!!

When asked why in a hurry, one of the students responded, "We are going back to our books".

In less than a month at home, these kids have been pestering their parents to go back to school. They  know and love the school that cares and in return make surprises to everyone. They simply love to go and their movement fills the air with their awesome smiles.

With the discovery of how many kids in the households do not eat adequate  food or sleep on empty stomachs, Rubanda Solidarity school is making an incredible difference.

Eight years later 2011  these teens are able to sit for their National examination in 2012

We struggle to provide three meals a day, something that has created a big smile on our children's faces and hearts.
Its just a dream for many kids who were never sure whether the next meal would be possible or when it would be served back in their family.

This could be one of the many reasons why these kids enjoy beginning their busy day with a thanksgiving and praising prayer to God each morning they rise up. They know quite well that all they have is from God's providence. He therefore deserves recognition.

In the 2011 picture above, these children are celebrating their "Thanksgiving Mass". They are thanking God for ending and returning well from their vacation. 

In those big baskets that you see on their heads are some of their scholastic assorted items  and hand written small letters expressing each ones special intention to God for the new academic term. They thank, praise and invoke God's blessing.  "Oh God thank you for enabling us to be in a good school which many kids like us are unable to have...", once one of the kids was heard praying. They are cute.

Just as kids know that eating is essential to life, students at Rubanda Solidarity have discovered how God is another essential  ingredient to quality education and successful future. With this discovery, they do amazing things.

They wake up early in the morning to praise God just like morning birds do. They thank God for accompanying them through the tense darkness of the night with no candle nor burning charcoal  for light but with God as their only hope, and guide and light. Lastly then, they also pray to God for their new long day's blessing.

As they clean up their faces they greet each other with that gentle and soft Rukiga word , "Oreiregye" which is synonymous to saying, "Did you sleep well" in English. They have made it one of their new morning culture.

When the day scholars arrive, together they join for breakfast, always with God. At that moment, they always remember that there are other thousands of kids in the community  and around the world who are less fortunate and unable to have even a mug of porridge each morning. And when all is done, they move to their shades put up for their classrooms and open their books.  They are normally well composed and attentive listeners because their stomachs are warm and they are cute. 

However, once in a while there are some abstractions as there are some fall offs from congested benches due to limited furniture. Most kids sit shoulder to shoulder squeezed on small benches a struggle that may also serve as a solution for the  scramble over the few text books available, if any.

Its incredible to see these kids go through this limitless list of poverty and yet still have the stamina to make it to the end. And Rubanda Solidarity has discovered their real needs of which we are committed with a slow but sure  process due to limited resources.

Its therefore not surprising to see kids falling in love with Rubanda Solidarity School  when its mission is all to the kids interests providing child healthy development  and quality education care. This is all what kids need. They just need someone to lean  to and provide for security. And with combined efforts Rubanda community through Rubanda Solidarity initiatives is creating a new culture for child care, protection and provision for  quality education and better life.

We have many positive signs already: increasing community participation, expanding school enrollment, reduced school resentment and dropouts, increasing community volunteers, better security for kids and increased community financial contribution and sustainability of the project by the community..

Lastly, Children are a gift from God to a family and community. They have a right to healthy and good life that requires collective responsibility. And this is why Rubanda Solidarity is doing all it can afford, in its meager resources, to attain its goal. All in the interest of children.

Please, if you feel moved to join us on our journey to our mission just post to us your desire and request in the comment box provided below this article and we will reach you soon.

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Landslides burry people in Uganda

Calamity after calamity hit Uganda this year.

Just one month with Ugandans still recovering from the July Thunderstorms that claimed over 18 lives; school  children including their teachers died while many others  were left hospitalized in this months landslides.

After a heavy down power, early this week, mudslides came down the hills uprooting trees, bulldozing soaked grounds and burying many households and properties deep.

Its believed that about 27 people; "16 in Sisiyi and 11 in Buluganya sub-counties", have died and many others have been made homeless or displaced. Look at these horrifying pictures of a helpless mother.

She is being consoled by the relatives as she learns of the death of her family members still trapped  in the mud with no hope to find them soon and alive.

Calamities are surprises but technology has saved many lives in the combat of unpredictable weather concerns like in the current hurricane Irene hitting the East cost of the USA. Technology helped to forecast its strength and an alert system developed. Many who listened to the warning, their lives have been saved. Even if one was caught up and suffered the effect, it didn't appear a surprise. There was an early warning system that populations trust.

Its so sad when it comes to developing countries like Uganda where everything is a strangle and a day's concern. Its so saddening to find oneself in a situation of such disaster where technology is a myth. No spade, no excavator, ambulance, no    helicopter for airlifting and so on. Even where one thing is possible to find, the other becomes an obstacle until lives are no more. Such situations remind one how poverty is a real sting and in human society. However, our failures could be an opportunity for the better. They can always facilitate our minds, motivation  and hope to do things better and differently, if we are able to learn from them..

Today, with natural world disasters at the increase, one would say why not develop a global weather focus center that would assist in saving lives and reduce disaster emergencies?  More efforts could be invested in developing or expanding available modern technologies for a better early warning system even for poor nations and populations. More than a relief charity, we could think of donating an early warning system technology to a country. Perhaps this could save many lives, more monies and be more timely and sustainable. We should work contrary to the story of that guy who was never concerned of the needs of  his sick neighbor's  healthy  in the hospital but more so on his funeral. It seems funny.

Give your comment.

Meet the African Missionaries in USA

Dear Parishioners, special greetings from my fellow priests of the order of the Apostles of Jesus at our Annual Assembly in Easton, USA.

Apostles of Jesus pause for a group pic. after celebration

As you recall, I left here July 24^th and was able to arrive in Philadelphia on time. I know most of you have been praying for me. I have enjoyed the fruits of your prayers and just two days ago returned to St. Ann’s sound and safe. Thank you.

My journey out of Grants Pass to Medford was less nervous for I was in the company of Biagini, Ray and Janet and their two friends to the Air port. It was fun being with them and given a ride to the airport.

From Medford my journey was fantastic though I regretted running short of the information that they do not offer meals in internal flights. Any way, it was all fine.

In Philadelphia, Easton, I was able to meet fifty five of our sixty confreres working in different states of America. It was a special brotherly and gracious moment to share, pray and learn from each other in the spirit of the Apostles of the Lord.

AJs enjoy healthy discussion during the assembly

The Apostles of Jesus is my Order of a religious and missionary character. What’s unique about this Order is that it’s the first ever religious and missionary congregation of the Catholic Church founded on the African soil in Uganda in 1968 and already supplying religious missionaries to all continents of the world with Asia coming next.

 Apostles of Jesus were founded during the famous episodes of 1960s of the then Sudanese government with the North Islam and South Christianity. During that period the government in Khartoum expelled most missionaries from the south Sudan.

On their run, missionaries of the religious order of St. Daniel Combon, Bishop Sixtus Mazzoldi and Fr. John Marengon both of great memory, went through northern Uganda and took refugee in Moroto Diocese from where they got an inspiration to start a congregation of African religious and missionaries that would keep their evangelization work moving forward with no risk of repatriation or expulsion from their own continent and countries.

Superior General (middle) enjoys classmates photo

Indeed the church and the world have started enjoying the fruits of the vision of these two great men with  the current ability of this Order supplying over 399 missionaries around the world within a period of forty years since its birth in 1968.

To the amazement of all priests present at the assembly was the reflection on the newest country of the world, the South Sudan that just received its independence. The Superior General reminded all of us present that our congregation was conceived in the Sudan, born in Uganda and now working in the world of which the united sates of America is privileged to have over sixty members serving the church and the nation in various professions and fields.  It’s always amazing to see how bitter beginnings procure lots of blessings and graces for one who has faith and God as the anchor of life.

One of the first members in the USA reminded all present of the universality of the church when he said, “We, the Apostles of Jesus have a noble mission here in the United States of America. We have the mission to serve the church here but also the mission to assist the poor in Africa”, he added.

It was an energizing moment of laughter when different representatives narrated the work being done in different missions including Grants Pass, St. Ann’s. Our superior General sent his blessing and greetings to all Bishops, pastors and Christians with whom we work and I am honored to deliver the one of Grants Pass, St. Ann’s parish.

God bless you

Fr. Dominic Tumusiime,AJ..

Kids of Darkiness plead for light

These kids smile in the day but walk by the heart at night

 Think of yourself walking in your house just for one week without light at all. For generations, people in Rubanda community have done so and their kids are keeping suit. Actually once asked of how they managed to live in darkness, one of them sarcastically said, “We have become immune to darkness”.

Seemingly normal, in 2002 Fr. Dominic Tumusiime initiated a community based organization (CBO) known as Rubanda Solidarity Development Association (RSDA), a non profit making organization with an intention to assist vulnerable mothers, children and school drop out youths. In 2005 this association was approved and registered with the government of Uganda with a registration number 160.

To the children, in 2004 the association initiated child study program with the intention of finding out why many kids resented going to school in many families. The tool was to provide just a cup of corn porridge to each kid every morning as they arrived at the school under a designated tree serving
their classroom for a period of one year.

See the density of darkness kids endure each night

The findings were very successful and in 2005 Rubanda Solidarity Nursery/Primary School was started with a Day and Boarding school program. The interest and number of kids to this school has since increased overwhelmingly that financial constraints are our only limitation. In a period of seven years the number of kids has moved from 90 to 260 just concentrating on the neediest kids.

With this huge number of needy kids one would imagine how a non income generating organization can manage to push from one year to another. It’s through lots of sacrifices and tough methods of coping with situations. The community makes lots of sacrifices and the administration does a good job to bring to the attention of our friends and people of good will, the situation of Rubanda community and our kids. It’s working and things are certainly getting better for our kids.

Kids have many needs; they need to sleep, eat and drink, dress, shower, see, write, play and pray, read, study trips, treatment but above all, "light to see". Follow this link to see lights wonders before these children's song: http://www.murphylightworks.com/winterland/

“Light, Light, we need light TO our toilets, Light, Light we need light IN our toilets”, was one of their songs at their school’s 7^th anniversary last year. They certainly need light not only to and in the toilets but also  to the whole compound. It’s an amazing reality to see how much these kids suffer when it comes to nights. They wake up to go to a toilet which is 500 miters away in total darkness, on a steep hill, in torrential rains. Just look keenly through the darkness on the photo above, you will be amazed of little kids tossing darkness to find their way to the toilet.

Do you feel moved and concerned about the situation of these kids? Would you like to contribute in improving  to their safe environment and security by providing a solar energy light?

Education & Poverty Eradication through Life Skills @ Rubanda Solidarity School

Piggery farm, source of skills education & food security to our kids

Home economics teachers instructs kids on bread baking

Developing a rural community demands sustainable programs and projects. Rubanda community has had many government and non governmental development project initiatives but barely have they offered expected impact on existing poverty.

One visitor may be inquisitive to know the reason. History has it that most of the programs initiated in this community are either  always too big a project or peoples' involvement and participation has always not been considered a priority. This is very crucial for rural community development to be real.

While programs and projects designers and implementers ought to incorporate full community involvement and participation, the contrary alienates the project of its basic ingredients of , project security, human resource and change of attitude and breeds indifference and unsustainable projects and dependence. And so a failure.

Coaching school kids in their cultural dance

 On the other hand, young generations in rural communities like Rubanda, need quality education. Education that equips them with academics but also with life skills. This is the principle of Rubanda Solidarity. Our kids learn to read and write but also learn how cook, dance and make  their uniforms.

They are mentored how to repair their torn dresses, feed their pigs to make sure that nothing of their food left overs is wasted.

They also prepare some vegetable beds and whenever they get a visitor in the compound in the car, they are excited, curious and beg to look at the engine and know and know what makes it possible to move. Our kids are sharp, curious and cute but handicapped.

Kids love cars and are curious to learn every thing

Do you feel interested in supporting one of these skills  by contributing to its sustainability and quality education?
Let us know by positing your comment and wish in the window provided below this blogger article. You will be attended efficiently. You can make things different.

Terry and Cristina for Summer mission @ Rubanda Solidarity school

Rubanda Solidarity nursery/Primary school kids surround their friends Terry &Cristina 6-8-2011

 Hello friends,

This year our community is blessed with visitors and friends. Just a month after Dr. Bruce's visit from USA to our community and school kids, we are once again with Terry and Cristina from Europe, Italy. Its always fantastic to host our friends. 

This summer is unique at Rubanda Solidarity. For the whole country going through hard moments with of food crisis and high  inflation rising everyday,many boarding school have already closed earlier than planned due to lack of finances and food but Rubanda Solidarity kids have thrived through to the last date of the term because of our friends financial backup. 

"As we go for our summer vacation, we wish you Terry and Cristina a safe trip back to your home land in Europe and a quick return to find us where you are leaving us", one of the kids representing the others jubilantly said.

The community of Rubanda is highly appreciative of your support and lives to remember all the generosity and love you are putting in to provide quality education for our kids. Our kids are our future hope. Once they receive quality education, they will have sustainable knowledge, good employment, better services, equivalent salary, good deity and better sleep and things will never be the same.

Our kids are very creative, cute and are receiving their in academic and life skills. They are determined to  change  the environmental, think of how to create alternative energy serving stoves and water harvesting in for their poverty stricken mothers and homes. They are also inquisitive of how Rubanda Solidarity administration straggles to to find financial support to the vulnerable children through children education support program and are getting more enthusiastic of making its future a successful continuity.

 The Rubanda Solidarity administration is always proud of hosting visitors because the needs our kids are so huge that only with combined efforts are we able to absorb them. Our kids too need to learn from friends within and out of the community.

Once again, we welcome Terry and Cristina and wish you a wonderful stay and safe return to Italy to return next year 2012

"Let the children off the cross"

A dedicated religious nun feeds vulnerable kids at school

 Providing quality education is providing all a kid needs for good development: Food, shelter, clothing, good sanitation, safe and drinking water, security and protection, healthy services, school education, religious formation, care and love is all they need.

Like in all communities, children in Rubanda community are commonly refered to as the beauty of a family or a community while actually they are the most vulnerable, voiceless and worst victims of today's social, political and religious breakdown.

Its a amazing when you closely look at what children go through in Rubanda community and indeed every where on the global map. In Rubanda community, most kids go to bed with empty or half  full stomachs. Early morning they wake up to go to school  with little or no time to wait for a delayed or non existent breakfast because the school is far away.

Kids recreate as they build their muscles at  their new school

With a chronic poverty environment,everyday is a struggle for survival,  each day has its own cross to carry. Where there is no firewood there may be no water, when there is water there may be no food to put in the pot or even no match box to start a fire. All this needs time and the kid hasn't time for the teacher on duty may have no time to listen to the litany of each household each kid carries along.

What's the lesser evil? The kid decides to trek the long distance to the school with empty stomach. He arrives at the school, panting, more hungry, late and punishable. Whichever punishment is given to him does not make sense to him because it does not convince him to be wrong neither does it encourage him to narrate his story. He then silently submits and goes on and on until he can't bear it any more. He drops out of school or even runs away and joins the street community.

A sports teacher carefully develops kids skills 

Look, in the class, he can hardly concentrate, he is hungry. He starts yawning, dozing, skin scratching, head aching, going and out. And during break, normally there are some school games  and other inter school competitions as well of which it may happen that this same kid is good at.
He likes athletics, for example and is good at it because he does run each morning to and from  the school that is kilometers away from home. And regardless of that and his empty stomach, he is always picked number one by the sports teacher to run in the school competition. He really boosts the name of the school and everyone at the school is proud of him.

However, as time for lunch approaches, this tired and empty stomach kid starts imagining what to do next. Go home, what's there? Spend lunch hour at school, how will be my afternoon hot classes? He can't find a better answer than time dictates it.

On certain days, he risks and decides to go home for lunch thinking some food has bee prepared but to find none at home and the little house closed. And for the orphan kids, its much more frustrating because it all depends on how the  extended family relates to the kid. Its a different story and a different cross to mention later.

Other times, this same kid hesitates to go home because he knows that the available little food, prepared in the middle of the day is not even enough for the young brothers and sisters who are not yet the age of school and are at home. So he makes the lesser time wastage choice,to remain at school until the school classes close in the late afternoon.  That's it.

It was amazing that unpublished research by a team of three students from the Roma Tre University, Rome-Italy, conducted in 2005-2006 in Rubanda, revealed that lack of sufficient food in households was the major cause and factor for kids resenting or dropping out of nursery and primary school.

All kids are the same in beauty but life treats differently

Its common to find kids in Rubanda enthusiastic for school but only for a short while or none. Its a common phenomenon that just after this little experience for this kid going to school, one starts noticing strange changes in the kid's behavior. The kid starts resenting school, fabricating stories and lies, creating excuses for absent-ism and complaining of all sorts of things at times even escaping from school.

Lastly, when the kid can't fight or cheat any more and is culturally afraid of saying it all, that he is always hungry, then he creates a kind of self implication mechanism like, "my head is dull, I can't grasp anything in class, I do not want to be the last in class always, I have no books, ...", and so on. Some parents try to help and understand their kids when they start noticing some change in the kid's behaviors but unfortunately a big percentage keep pressure on these kids that eventually does more harm than good into the child's pscho-socio development and in the society as a whole.

Many kids, finding themselves in such an environment, they  start to think and curve ways of escape to find better environments and better understanding people. Others run or want to run away to find freedom and better space from the daily noise at home or with neighbours.With many other reasons, these could be some of the reasons why we are have the community of the street kids is rapidly growing.

Kids faced with all sorts of social- economic-political and religious crisis, they thing out there may be better. They run away from their biological  family and friends to find a new world of friends and homes on the streets. It has been noticed that rehabilitating a street kid requires much energy, simply because this kid has no one he trusts when a deal is made to re-unite him with his family and friends.


Instead these kids turn to things like, drugs, alcohol, hooliganism and  the a like because they sought of to be the ideals of the new world, new friends and new life, unlike the previous noise, stress, enslavement and all staff they have gathered from their homes.They go out on streets to find a family, a society that more a parent, a teacher and a friend to them which unfortunately makes matters worse.

Its from this deep concern that Fr. Dominic Tumusiime wanted to contribute to the well being of children in Rubanda community and initiating a Day and Boarding nursery/primary school program that above all else, will struggles to establish and offer a "school feeding program" which would provides to both kids with a three meals a day,(Breakfast-Lunch and Supper).

Fr. Dominic then initiated a study class in 2004 and in 2005 a school was born as Rubanda Solidarity Nursery/Primaryschool for both girls and boys with current enrollment standing at 260 kids.

With this school, things have become different for Rubanda Kids and the community. Some kids come every morning and join the boarders for breakfast, lunch.Its amazing to hear the testimonies of some of the parents who used to have hardest time with kids refusing to wake up to go to school.  When asked by their parents why they were going very early to school, little kids respond,"We do not what to find breakfast over".

Since our school started we have not registered a kid who has dropped out of our school program because of food or hunger.
 
A healthy child has a true life investment; better growth, better services, less health spending and graceful aging.
And in  jointly creating a good, safer and healthy child development environment we shall have succeeded in enhancing life, human resource, development and peace at both family, community, national and global   communities.

Lets all do all we can in the interest of our kids and our future generations

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