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.