Kids moved by Love

Love spreads like fire. After hearing stories of less fortunate kids in Rubanda, Ellie called upon her friend to set up a walk way fundraising project. The project was to raise funds for kids in Rubanda-Uganda to have a better place to sleep in. Ellie felt that they  could make a difference in the lives of their  friends if they  make a little sacrifice in sharing their time, energy and creativity with poor kids . They have come to know that there are many kids up there who do not have an idea of what kind of animal chocolate is or what sleeping out of dust means to their health. It takes great courage for them to go though the list of horrible poverty experiences including the one where a tree provides for a classroom for a year with or without rain or hot sun. Such stories have touched these kids' hearts and emotions.  Motivated by love, Ellie and her friend have already made great progress. They have their fundraising booth running. Today they are full of excitement and have their thumbs high because the business was hot. They made 150 box equivalent to 150 bricks  to put up a better sleeping place for their sweat hearts in Rubanda Solidarity school. It's amazing to see how love spreads! Thank you Ellie and your friend, continue to spread the word of love.                                                                            
 Blessings!

Kids whose love goes beyond boarders  fundraise for Ugandan kids Dec. 2013

Kids with love to share are fundraising for Ugandan kids-Dec. 2013

Yamba Abaana Uganda 2rd annual get together 2013

Today December 14th is the 2rd annual gathering of Yamba Abaana Uganda. Over sixty children on sponsorship program, study in difference schools and during their long vacation find time to come together to share, learn and socialize to build bonds of love and the future. This sponsorship program started in 2004 with six children  of whom three were orphans. Today the group and families benefiting from our sponsorship program numbers sixty two at different levels of education. While we have one university graduate from Makerere university Uganda, we have college students and over ten in secondary education and majority in primary and nursery levels. We are very grateful and proud to all our sponsors and friends in Europe and USA for this noble job.  There is nothing more important to a child than quality education, a key to the future. Please be part of this year's get together through the  pictures of the day at the school.

Yamba Abaana Uganda children pause for a pic @ their 2nd annual get together Dec. 2013

Yamba Abaana children smile at a group photo at their 2nd annual get together Dec. 2013

Yamba Abaana children with their parents/gaurdians pause for a pic @ their 2nd annual get together Dec. 2013

Yamba Abaana children receive gifts from their parents/gaurdians @ their 2nd annual get together Dec. 2013

Kids who love school but have no opportunity to be part of it because of lack of sponsors visiting the school Dec.2013

Yamba Abaana children and their parents enjoy a meal @ their 2nd annual get together Dec. 2013

International HIV/AIDS Day festivities @ Ikumba Subcounty 2013

 The photos are children from various school in Ikumba subcounty in Rubanda matching at Ikumba subcounty headquarters to mark the International HIV/AIDS awareness Day.

Rubanda's experience of  HIV/AIDS virus goes as far back as from the 1990s. There is almost no person in the community left unaffected. Each one has a personal story to tell. Losing a parent or both of them, a relative or a friend is an experience that fills the air. Hence, its the duty of the community and the government to keep fighting together its stigma and educating the masses especially young generations that the virus is not a disease and story of the past to be forgotten. The fight continues.

The message is that HIV/AIDS virus is still alive and needs renewed efforts until its all eradicated. However long it may take our efforts should never tire.The Virus's impact has been disastrous to Rubanda community. It has broken the social fabric of the community by destroying families,  turning many children orphans, imposing to children parental responsibilities to their siblings at a tender age, weakened labor force, reduced food production and left many families hungry . The number of mothers left behind alone as widows to wage the war  and feed families by themselves is at an alarming state. Its a tragedy being silently forgotten. Something must be done.

Thanks to the government of  Uganda and the NGOs and religious bodies trying to keep tracking and promoting new initiatives and efforts. And Rubanda Solidarity is proud of being part of this struggle to continue to confirm its founding mission statement to promote community development and improve living standards. Please be part of us through these pictures posted below.

Rubanda Solidarity Schools (middle section) joins parade for HIV/AIDS Day festival Nov. 2013

Rubanda Solidarity school presents a song on HIV/AIDS Day festival @ Ikumba headquarters Nov.2013

Rubanda Solidarity school students matching in for the HIV/AIDS Day festivals Nov.2013

3rd Nursery school Graduation 2013

This year December 7 marked the 3rd Graduation of our kindergarten top class pupils to primary one. Its an incredible motivation in the life of our school children and a step forward in our advancement in providing quality education services. Please go through the graduation pictures.

Kindergarten kids graduate to primary education @ Rubanda Solidarity school 12-7-2013

A Kindergarten teacher accompanies her class to an intertainent song at the graduation12-7-2013

The school Directress Sr. Annamary presents the graduates 12-7-2013

The graduates at their graduation receiving their awards 12-7-2013

Parents curious to witness the graduation ceremony of their kids 12-7-2013

Teacher Angella mentors her class for an entertainment at the graduation 12-7-2013

Life skills, our priority!

Providing quality education to children is our goal. And life skills is what young people in a chronic poverty environment need today. With rightful skills life can turn meaningful: innovative, fruitful, beneficial, sustainable and enjoyable.
Our school discovered this secret right away from its start in 2005. And decided that we couldn't  wait any longer to pass on skills to children at Rubanda Solidarity school. This  has since then made a big difference to both our school kids and the community. Their new mindset of how formal school education is linked to community development tells it all. It has boosted the school curriculum in reaching out to the needs of the kids, created a positive  attitude to children toward skill programs and attracted active community participation toward an integrated school program as well.

Our new poverty alleviation approach is that poverty eradication is a responsibility of every individual in the community. And teaching kids how to fish was the best way. Kids learn this from the day to day community initiatives within the schools which have become the modern venues for children's learning. For instance, with a bamboo and papyrus art lesson, kids learn about its by-products and innovations. They will know how to use it for fishing, securing their books, winnowing out chaffs, designing local mats/carpets, building cereal barns and baskets, erecting fences to minimize community conflicts against kitchens' trespassing into neighbor's gardens. It will also improve their homestead yields for better meals, less family wranglings, court time and cash expenses into less stress and better community.

Indirectly, skills provided to school kids will not only boost children's innovative power but will also protect resources and environment because kids will know the advantages and the need to preserve them.

Isn't it amazing!

An elder from the village instructing kids how to make papyrus baskets, fish traps, mats and fences for school, home and income purposes.

Most of these kids are very curious about this project because they thought that these were traditional activities with nothing  to do in school. school Nov. 23rd 2013

A community elder with practical skills instructing our children at school Nov. 23rd 2013

A school kid demonstrating the product of their skill class work Nov. 23rd 2013

New soccer field inauguration

What a wonderful achievement? In less than a year we have a new soccer field for our kids, an achievement made possible by the US  and UG. Yamba Abaana partnership.

Community participation is essential in community development, school kids weed their new soccer field 2013

Blessings for a successful UPLE !

October 27th 2013 was a special day for our UPLE candidates. This year, unlike last year when we had just 21 candidates who sat for UPLE exams we have 29 candidates. Its a amazing to see how kids love to integrate academic with faith and skills at our school. Each has its own place and time. And October 27 was just for prayer. Parents, school staff, visitors and students of lower classes joined Fr. Elias Kiwanika to pray and bless the 29 candidates a week before their exams. The sitting of their exams between Nov. 4th-5th will also mark the end of their stay at our school since they have to join secondary education. They will miss the school they had called their home for ten years. Right now the atmosphere is full of mixed  feelings. Those leaving have many things to miss especially  the friendship they had built for years. Parting from a school that cared is like life to start all over again  However life has to continue if progress has to occur. Enjoy the pictures of the week.

Praying for the candidates Nov. 27th 2013

29 candidates of 2013 pause with their teachers for their last group photo

Fr. Elias Kiwanuka joins the kids for a blessing dance Nov. 27/ 2013

Kids line up to enjoy the improved menu with Rice, beef and g,nuts sauce 2013

29 candidates make their last study trip to St. Maria Tereza Nov.29th 2013

Grade six proudly prepare for 2014 candidacy with new solar light

Students happily enjoying the new solar light at their night study session 2013.

A mother joins the school kids for a kiga traditional dance of blessings 2013

Candidates present their scholastic items for a blessing 2013

Solar Light, Darkness no more!

After months without light Rubanda Solidarity School kids, staff and the community of Rubanda  send lots of  love and appreciation to Yamba Abaana US for your generous heart. We are back to normal after hitting darkness for months with our feeble hands. Our limited solar light system shut down late June this year until late September.." We developed night phobias especially waking up to the rest rooms in the middle of the night, we terminated our lovely evening classes, our monthly movie was lost too as we started eating our dinners at 5pm to make sure we beat darkness. It was a hard period for us", narrates the school head boy after switching on lights. "The system that has been repaired and upgraded by funds from the YA US has done us good and pride. We are back to normal. We can't thank you enough", the head teacher Mr. Innocent Asiimwe ceaselessly narrates. Enjoy some of the solar renovation photos below.

The three of the four new dry solar batteries installed 2013

2 new solar panels added to increase power capacity 2013

29 Candidates sit for UPLE

Once again we are back to you with news from our school. We apologize for breaking our blog news update for quite a while. After that glorious performance of our 21 students of grade seven last year who sat for their UPLE (Uganda Primary Leaving Examination) of whom 19 scored division one and 2 with division 2, the journey of excellence is expected to continue  through 2013.  This year we have highly promising 29 candidates sitting for their UPLE and we will keep you posted on their progress. Their examinations schedule is slated for November 4th -5th 2013. They are a class of 15 boys and 14 girls. An excellent demonstration of the school's mission to provide equal opportunities for quality education for both boy and girl child. We consider them equal as opposed to culture. Please, we know you're always with us in your thoughts and friendship however, at this special moment of need these kids are requesting for your extra prayers for their success. For they strongly believe that true wisdom and knowledge come from God to man to benefit the world. Thank you for all you do to make Rubanda Solidarity a true channel of quality education to children for better life.  Enjoy some of the pictures from our  school.

School Scouts  training session @ the school 2013

Grade 7 candidates of UPLE pause for their class photo 2013

School scouts on drills with their teachers 2013

Life skills training @ the school 2013

Field or no field soccer is in blood for Rubanda kids

For seven years our school has had no soccer playground. Thanks to the US Yamba Abaana friends  and the community of Rubanda who are working so hard to relieve this burden. For all these years kids have traveled lots miles in search of a playground. They can't wait having their school sports ground in the neighborhood.

School Kids pause for a school photo in Kagunga trading center coming from sports 2012

Kids pause for a school photo with their teachers some of in a about two and distant community soccer field 2012

Kids enjoying the chase of a ball 2012

Soccer field in progress

On Friday 8.2.2013 our School team scored 2:2 to God cares school at kandihe community soccer ground. Below is Rubanda Solidarity younger stars team that made the surprise. They are proving out to be the young Cranes in Rubanda. Their greatest hope is to see their new soccer field ready so they can have daily field practice. Thank you Yamba Abaana USA and Uganda for all your efforts to fulfill the hopes of these young-stars. Long live to all of our supporters.

School soccer teams with locally sponsored uniform 2013

School kids in a papyrus swamp collecting papyrus sticks & leaves for Thanksgiving decoration Jan. 2013

School soccer teams get final logistics before a completion that  brought in 2:2

Teacher Salvius gives final coaching techniques to his team before a soccer competion.

Children work on their new field adding their contribution to that of their parents and Yamba Abaana US July 2013

 Teaching kids how to fish is what makes quality education best at  Rubanda Solidarity school July 2013

The Yamba Abaana Uganda is keeping the soccer field work in progress while the Yamba Abaaba US keeps a close eye and support to the community development. "We need the field ready for our  kids by next year 2014" says one of the community members. Here below is the progress in Rubanda through pictures.

Yamba Abaana Uganda group working on the soccer field take a rest in the field to quench the thirst with a soft drink 2013.

YA  group busy working on the new soccer field 2013

Using a hoe is tough for a vast area of land. Unity is the only solution to success.

Sister Annamary, School Directress(L) joins the YA women to level the new soccer filed 2013