Yamba Abaana Annual Assembly!

December sixteen, Yamba Abaana Uganda (YAUG), held its fifth annual assembly. The assembly took place at the premises of Rubanda Solidarity school. It was of its kind since its launch, five years ago as it had its highest attendance and jovial moments.  

The  objective of the YAUG is to bring together students, parents, friends and the community members participating in the organization to meet, share, evaluate, plan and celebrate. Its a time to renew each other's spirit of community development and commitment through active participation in the association and Rubanda Solidarity. The main focus of the assembly is on quality education for children. Its also an opportunity for continuous community awareness and brainstorming moments to both students, parents and the community on how to work harder for a better tomorrow and a better society. It encourages both parents and students struggling to educate and study within their meager resources and hard poverty. 

YAUG works in partnership with YAUS (Yamba Abaana US). The two separate and unique organizations have something in common. YAUG was born out of the need to strengthen hope to the vulnerable children through sponsorship program  for quality education. It endeavors to support families through sponsorship contribution rendered to their children. 

Children in Rubanda are the most disadvantaged group in the community. When YAUG  was started in 2010, a year later YAUS was born with a goal to offer support to YAUG. We are very grateful to the YAUS for jumping on our bus and to Fr. Dominic for giving the rid to Rubanda. 

To all of you, our generous supporters, and to all people of good will, thank you so much for all you have been doing and continue to do. All these children you see in the pictures below are full of pride and passion for the future. Because you have provided it to them and they feel they have it in their hands. Together we have created it and together continue to nourish until it bears fruit. And the fruit is new life. We totally believe that things will never be the same for these children and their families. May God reward you abundantly. 
Please, continue to walk with us through these pics and our websites.

Dec. 19-2014: These are some of the children, parents and visitors
 in attendance of the fifth Yamba Abaana annual assembly

Parents, teachers visitors and children gather for a group photo
after their fifth annual assembly 

Parents have designed a new sweater for the uniform of
Yamba Abaana Association.
The green sweater design was a results of one of their assembly discussion, 

Parents and children are brainstormed about
family relationships and the goal of Yamba Abaana

A speaker brainstorms parents and children about
the values of quality education and child care

The Third Nursery Graduation 2014

Another great day has come in the life of our 36 Top class students graduating on December 6th to grade one 2015. This is the biggest class ever in the ten years of our nursery existence. Because of our goal to provide quality education from the beginning, we set a limit of our class intake to 40. With this goal and limited facilities we have been increasing the enrollments gradually.

Teacher Angela, front right guides the representative  to a graduates' speech
 as parents, representatives stand  in the background, Sr. Stella and Anamary look on.   

Tr. Angela with 36 Graduates 2014

Parents stand with their children at their graduation on Dec. 8th 2014 

The Pastor, Fr. Thomas officiates at the graduation ceremony
of 36 nursery students as Sr. Stella presents the certificates on Dec. 8th 2014

Fr. Thomas, the pastor at Rubanda Parish
celebrates Mass on the graduation ceremony on Dec. 6th 2014.

The parents' representative gives a speech as
Sr. Stella, Mr and Mrs Kabunduguru and other visitors listen : Dec. 6th 2014

Letter from teacher Joy

12/11/2014

Special greetings  to you from the Nursery teachers.

Please we want to let you know that Rubanda Solidarity School runs an education program of a combination of Nursery and Primary curricula. We would like to thank Rev.Fr.Dominic, Coordinator, Donors and all our friends for the good work done design and support these programs in order to uplift the life conditions of our people. Working hard to raise the standards of our school will eventually make a huge impact to the vulnerable children and the entire community.

The nursery section runs through a circle of three years (Baby, Middle and Top classes).

In the Baby class we have twenty three children (23),

The Middle class has twenty eight children (28), and 

The Top class has thirty four (34)

For this year 2014, we have thirty four (34) graduates from nursery to primary school. Of those children eighteen are boys and sixteen are girls. This is a huge success in our efforts  and objectives of the school to strive to balance gender equality in a community that is predominately male sensitive. 

I thank the parents for treasuring our quality education program and bringing their children to our school to learn to fight illiteracy, in-equality and poverty. On 12/6/2014, the Top class students will graduate from nursery to primary section. This is their normal schedule for the end of the academic year to the long vacation of Christmas.

You are most welcome to join us celebrate the first step of these kids to academic degrees , an activity that highly motivates them to the future.

Please once again accept our many greetings from the four nursery school teachers who enjoy their work with the kids.

God bless.

Kesande Joy

Deputy nursery section.

New Nursery School Proposed Site

The year 2014 is ending on a very joyful note for our Nursery kids. There is a project in the making to construct a nursery school they can call their own. For over ten years, they have been generously hosted by their sister Rubanda Solidarity Primary School. " Its our time to have our own nice school", one of the student shouted aloud at the assembly when the idea of constructing a new nursery school was announced to them. Down below you will be able to see in the photos, the proposed site   for the new nursery school. The kids can't wait to see a structure of their own spring up. They forced their teachers to go and have a look and take some snaps. The challenge still is, how to find enough funds. Please join the kids to look at the proposed nursery site below through the photos.

From right: Tr. Joy, Rosette, Angela, Eunice pause for a group photo
with their 85 Nursery Sch. kids  @ the new proposed nursery Site: Dec.2014

Amazing landscape and beauty of Rubanda

Kids with their teachers imagining
 a new school to call their own in this place Dec. 2014

Kids who need a school to call their own!

Rubanda Solidarity School started operating in 2005 becoming the first private school in Rubanda to curve out a particular program for vulnerable and most disadvantaged children in the community. The school runs two separate programs of education from the same facility:  Nursery and Day and Boarding Primary school education. Our vision remains that of creating and having a better life through offering of equal opportunities for quality education to both girl and boy child alike in the community that is predominately male sensitive.  
We currently use the same provisional facilities for both primary and nursery school students due limited funds to construct an independent nursery school. This has lots of disadvantages as it limits our desire for more care according to different age groups especially the most youngest of them all. 

Our nursery school enrollment age  is six years. However, many times we have exceptions for much younger children who may be having serious social problems and need immediate support. The school hosts  over 310 students who love to call it their second home. The 85 of those kids are in the nursery school and badly in need of facilities and a permanent school to call their own. For they are being generously hosted by the primary school section. 
Our top priority therefore is to fully get engaged locally and globally looking for funds to construct a new nursery school that will provide more space for efficiency and improved environment for healthy development and education. 

Thank you for being interested in our activities to make a difference in the lives of children in Rubanda.

The class view of teacher Angela enjoying
her class work with her middle class kids 11.16.2014

Teacher Rosette and Nursery section deputy Joy
entertain Baby class kids into
 the new day before classes Nov. 16th 2014

Teacher Unice enjoys African story telling with her Middle Class
Candidates to grade( class) one:kids Nov. 2014.

Standing behind L-R are teachers;  Angela, Unice,
Deputy Joy and Rosette pausing for a group photo with their
Nursery School kids 11. 16.2014

Teacher Angela joins smiling Nursery
 School Kids for a group picture 11.16.2014

Progressive Candidates since 2012

Hello Visitor, 

These photos below will drive you into the real life at Rubanda Solidarity School. They give you a taste at a glance of our fruits with our kids and their academic performances in a period of three years when we have had the Uganda Primary Leaving Examination (UPLE). Since the begining of our school, ten years ago, our policy has always been, never think of a child's development unless your menu has ingredients to improving their conditions of life, Equal opportunities of quality education for both girl and boy child, integral development ( physical, social, spiritual and academic). Like Aristotle, educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all, we strive to invest all we have for the well being of our children in the school. These are children who would someone else if there were no hearts of love. And love would be meaningless if it did not have the designer. Faith and God are so important to the world of love and peace for all. This is a big drive behind all the difference made. Their health and their school performances tell it all. 

Please, if you are already part of us contributing in any way toward this progress, join the community, staff, children, the US and UG. Yamba Abaana to appreciate all our efforts made so far. And if you are a new visitor, still deciding what your contribution could be, we welcome you to our blogger to learn more about us. Our success is an effort of so many people whom God has blessed with so big and generous  hearts. One day you may be part of us.  Enjoy the photos. 

31 UPLE Candidates for 2015:
For the second time in history we have broken the record of our male culture.
We had more girls than boys in the class of candidacy of 2012 as it will for 2015. 
Out of 31 students, we have 18 girls and 13 boys.
This is a fascinating story in a culture with  strong male dominance 
even toward quality education.
We are very proud of this progress made toward equality.
We pledge to continue to promote our vision and Mission..
 We wish you a wonderful final year with us at our school .
Remember,  we are praying for you to fly like 
butterflies at your exams this coming year. 

26 UPLE Candidates 2014.
These have just completed their national exams and are waiting for their results.
 They are eleven girls and fifteen boys.
We hope for best results. We know you are sharp and smart kids.
We remember you all in our prayers.

26 UPLE Candidates of 2013 pause with their teachers for a group photo at the school gate.
The results; 22 students scored first distinction while 4 got second.
All passed excellently for higher education.
We are proud of you.

21 UPLE Pioneer Candidates  of 2012. They were 9 boys and 12 girls.
Results: All passed with excellent performance to higher education with
19 students scoring first distinction while two  getting second.
Thank you for laying a very good foundation for our school.
You will always be remembered. 

A smiling staff builds a child's future!

Good teachers are mothers and fathers of a nation as parents are to a family.  
 It takes lots of energy and time to find the right people to do the right job. 

Rubanda Solidarity has found that rare team to make a difference. 

That makes our school unique and a welcoming home .

How wonderful it is to have you all. 

Best regards!

2014: Directress Sr. Annamary with some school teachers & Administrator

2014: The Support staff  enjoys employment opportunity offered by our school.
 They are all victims of school drop out due to poverty related issues.
They are so grateful of the opportunity to have a job,
Be able to have a plan of their own, and
Get salary  to improve  their life.
Thank you to all our supporters.

New E- Kindles arrive

The year 2014 is a tech  year at Rubanda Solidarity School. The Yamba Abaana USA in Partnership with Yamba Abaana Uganda through Rubanda Solidarity are determined to improve the culture of reading at the school by introducing E-Kindle readers. Its  exciting.

The pilot project was initiated in February this same year when a group  of five representatives from the Yamba Abaana USA visited the school. Four E-Kindles were donated by some of the members of the team to start the pilot projects. The results have been incredibly amazing  which have attracted more E-Kindle donations.  Few months down the road, another generous couple donated more seven kindles which have been immediately loaded with 100 books each and shiped to the school. Few weeks later, the E-Kindles arrived at the school and were received with unbelievable joy and excitement by every one at the school. In the photos below you will be able to share that excitement when Brother Kitone is delivering the E-Kindles from Kampala to the head students. As if this is not exciting enough for Rubanda Solidarity School students and staff, another donation of fifty new more E-Kindles is on progress. We will keep you posted.

It must be noted that after few months using the first bitch of the four E-Kindles an evaluation was conducted by the responsible teachers of the project and Diana gave its summary that prompted more donations. Please find the summary of their report here below these photos.

7 E-Kindles of Second Phase delivered at the school

Groups set up to maximize the use of limited E-Kindles 

Teacher Immaculate & Bonaventure instruct the kids on E-Kindle tech. 

REPORT OF E-KINDLE PILOT PROJECT @ RUBANDA SOLIDARITY SCHOOL 2014.

Below is the enrollment of pupils studying E-Kindles.

Gr.3    39

Gr.4     47

Gr.5      36

Total    122.

Impact of the project to the School and the community.

On the side of learners, they have been helped to know how to operate the kindles. They know and assist students putting them on and off and searching for the content.

They have known how to use kindles by searching for titles and selecting books of their choice to read.

Learners have improved on fluency because they learn the meaning of new wards under the guidance of the teacher.

They have improved a skill of sharing among themselves because they read in groups hence discussing about new ideas.

They have developed a value of articulation of wards through considering or using the dictionary which is in the kindle.

Learners have liked schooling because they do not want to miss classes in order not to miss kindle lessons.

On the side of teachers, they have been helped to know how to handle learners using English because learners do understand English.

Kindles have helped to promote learner- teacher good relationship because learners are free to ask teachers questions concerning kindles.

Kindles have promoted learner- centered during teaching and learning process     among the learners.

Challenges being faced by the learners and teachers.

1.    The number of Kindles is very small compared to the number of pupils we have. Learners wish to use the kindles but they are not enough and some end up not getting a chance to touch on them.

2.     Due to the inadequacy of kindles, teachers take a lot of time trying to explain to pupils.

Lastly, we continue to thank the members of Yamba Abaana US who have initiated the kindle project which has promoted good things to our learners and teachers as well. We pray that God may continue to guide us all to be able to cooperate together to for the benefits of our children to reach their goals.

May God bless you all.

Diana Orishaba

Reap what you sow-UPLE

This week of Oct. 30th 2014 marks the final week of our 26 grade seven candidates to be in our school. They are moving through their final days to their Uganda Primary Leaving Examination (UPLE) exams. It  will be for three days starting with the briefing day on Monday . The exams consist of four major subjects of Sciences, Social Studies, Mathematics and English. The end of these exams will  also mean the end of their a primary curriculum to higher education commonly known as secondary education.  Around this period of the year, many people are excited as kids aspire to higher steps in their life. However there is always a lot of anxiety of failing exams among  both parents, teachers and students. There is always an examination fever going on. Its  like football or soccer. There are always surprises of any kind. Though our candidates are smart,  they need  your unprecedented prayers. Please do respond to their humble request for prayers in this time of very great need.
Please, here below are some of the pictures taken during  Mass when children where in Rubanda parish when all candidates were invited to come forward for a blessing.

Our candidates Kneel in front of the Altar for a blessing
on a Sunday before their exams Oct. 26.2014

Last touches of our candidates with St. Teresa's joint group discussion Oct. 2014

Water Is Life!

This is October update of the water hunting mission launched in February this same year 2014. Its the progress of the same project written about in May under the title " Water! Water! Water! of this blog.

Every morning at the assembly, our school children are reminded of how "water is life". They have to make sure they take care of water as much as they do for their life.

This  year is unique at our school because we are thinking and doing a lot of how to improve our water safety.   Rubanda community knows little about the difference between seasons of summer and winter. Because it has both seasons mixed up. One day may be rainy the other may be sunny the year long except for the months of June and July which are harvesting sunny hot months of the year.

Though the seasons may be  a mixture of rains and sun, water can be a real problem.  Our children can describe it best because they feel its pinch  more than any body else. Sometimes they have had to leave classes and walk miles away in search of water for their breakfast or a meal. They also know quite well how washing their clothes is a big headache when it comes to getting water. To show you how serious the problem is in the list of items required by the school administration from each child who enrolls to the school there is a five liter jerrycan. This is at the top of the list for water emergency. Each kid knows quite well what to do when the whistle for water search is brown. That means water emergency break out.  Other times these kids have to carry their clothes on their heads and shoulders and go hunting for possible streams or water catchments areas in the neighborhood. This is safety risky and health hazardous. But as water is life there are choices in Rubanda.

There is some green light this year. The USA Yamba  Abaana has come in with an idea to make a difference. This difference is captured in two alternatives: Renovating the old rain water harvesting system as the immediate solution and identifying new possible ways to get constant water supply by having a drilled water well for constant water supply. 

These ideas started to develop some years back when the current system was fixed. We are glad that this year  the Yamba Abaana US has come in with more focus and began raising funds at the beginning of this year. We are also pleased to let you know that the implementation that began few weeks ago is soon to be completed.
Thank you Yamba Abaana USA and to you all our friends who have made this possible. The renovated system can now supply water to more kids and for a longer period of time within a year. We estimate the new harvested water capacity to be able to cover over five months of  with normal rains. This means, there is still a great need to have other reliable sources of water to provide enough water security. 

Please enjoy some of the pictures taken during the renovation of the water harvesting  process.

Water tank of 5000 liters delivered  to the school: Oct 2014

Renovating the old system: Oct. 2014

Replacing  a 1500 tank with those 5000 one: Oct. 2014

Improving water harvesting with a 5000 bigger tank 

Making sure no drop of water is wasted: October 2014

Gutters are seen all over to make sure no drop is lost Oct. 2014

 Thank you all who contributed to this project. 

Incredible Ugandan Animals Eat Kneeling!

July 26, 2014 will remain an unforgettable day to our Rubanda Solidarity School students of upper grades of 4-7 who had their study trip to both Mburo game park and Lake Mburo in Mbara district, Uganda.

The trip that began in the early morning hours of the day aboard two coaster buses was an amazing day for the students. Setting out of the school gate there is a narrow, dusty marrum road that kids use every day and know so well. A mile away is the highway road that links Uganda with DRC through Bunagana in the west and heads to Kabale and Mbarara towns in the east. Entering the highway was so amazing for the students.They all screamed for safety and invoked God's protection. Because, most of them had never been given a ride on a tarmacked road. They were full of excitement a midst screams for life as one of them shouted loud, "we are still young to die".

As they traveled through Kabale town they headed for Mbarara to Lake Mburo. At Lake Mburo their first eye contact was the strange animals that eat-kneeling. It was indeed their first time to see such strange animals. "They are so friendly animals", one of them called his friends.  Another child answered back, "they eat-kneeling and are friendly to children". Children know how curious and scary they can be when in the presence of animals with exposed teeth, as if ready to have their prey. "Its awesome", mentioned as she made a joyous jump.

The objectives of the study trip were an act of appreciation and farewell to the candidates of grade seven, an exposure to them and other higher grade students of 4-6. Moving out of ones village provides a sense of maturity and seeing things differently. It also a final opportunity to the finalists as they prepare for their final national exams. 

Some of the things they learn on their trip include; Animals and landscape, different types of infrastructure including roads and road signs. They also travel on water through the lakes, track animals in the game parks, visit national monuments and places of worship. They are also guided though issues of communication like bus parks in towns, post offices and banks as tools to use because soon they are to start their own navigation in life.

Students who were so amused when they say the kneel and eat animals could not hold their breath when they paused for a photo next to these animals as of they were part of their group. "I will never forget this", one of the students commented. After a one day's study tour, the students had an African traditional danced to refresh their spirits as they headed back to the school in the first watch of the night. Enjoy the pictures below.

Students & Staff pause for a group photo at lake Mburo on 7-28-2014

Friendly animals that eat- kneeling  at lake Mburo -Uganda 2014

Friendly animals that welcome the students  on their study  2014

Sleep standing animals at lake Mburo in Uganda 2014

Enjoy a trip to Rubanda through pictures Feb. 2014

I need better vision to see visitors, lovely friends.

Doves, symbols of Peace

Kids just need one click show

Quality education builds healthy relationships

Tomorrow's brains are here with Diana

Immaculate joins the kids to new tech.

Dr. Bruce & Fr. Dominic receive gifts fromYamba Abaana Uganda

Kids enjoy their leisure time

Leg or no leg Louis is a fan of soccer

More than curious

Dr. Bruce at work

Dr. Bruce mentors kids as coordinator of projects Rogers looks

Charity begins at a tender age

A kid cries to his mom for an opportunity to school after a visit to his brother at the school.

Kevin enjoys hide and seek

Soccer uniform, a gift form Kingdom Hope

"Where there is love you need no eyes"

E-Reader Kindle pilot project launched

Long Live Kingdom Hope

A mother admires sponsorship efforts

Diana mentors the kids in the new soccer field

Parents, children and sponsors' friendship

Future soccer fans and leader

Girls too need quality education opportunities

Dr. Bruce sits down for real business

Dr. Carey fully charged with a passion of love

Venensia and Rominet love new tech, E-Reader Kindle at Rubanda Solidarity School

Sr. Annamary excited at sponsors' letters of family photo and letter to their children

Yamba Abaana supporters charged with a passion for a difference

Technology, for rural poor kids is justice.

Dr. Carey mentors the kids on new E-Reader Kindles

                                             

Artistic cultural gift from a school girls to visitors from USA