Warm Ups For E-Reader Training!
It’s wonderful to see how technology is
changing rural Rubanda community. Two years ago, Rubanda Solidarity
Association ventured in introducing tech books in her school known as Rubanda
Solidarity Nursery and Primary School. The process has been slow but sure
with a pilot project started with a donation of five E-Reader books (Kindles) by
a generous family in 2013 from Grants Pass in USA. They were loaded with 100
books each. The goal of the project was to find out how rural students
would perceive tech books and what kind of impact it would
make in improving their reading passion in a population that does little.
The fundraising project was completed by the beginning of 2015 when Yamba Abaana USA went ahead to organize a partnership with Worldreader organization that spearheads the E-Reader program to purchase the devices, load them with 200 suitable books each and ship them to Rubanda Solidarity School in South Western Uganda in a little village called Rubanda. Few days later, the books had arrived safely in Uganda and were delivered to the school. The Worldreader in partnership with Rubanda Solidarity then organized a launching project that took place between 5-7 of February at the school premises. The Worldreader director of Easter African projects Joan Mwachi animated the training and foresaw the colorful Launching ceremony. The Launcnhing was indeed a vibrant and community transformational Day that Rubanda Solidarity School will live to remember.
At the Launching, the director of the school Rev. Fr. Dominic tumusiime who was so excited to see the project standing on its feet, thanked all those who made it possible and the day what it was. He welcomed all those present including government, religious and community leaders saying that it was a historical moment in Rubanda to converge in order to talk about technology books. In a special way, he thanked the Yamba Abaana USA, Worldreader, Rubanda Solidarity, the Community, and all those present who came to grace the Launching Day. He also thanked the school staff, parents and students for the great effort they are investing in quality education for children through the school. Their efforts are being rewarded with good the performances of their school in the district and the nation with with our students qualifying with a hundred percent performance to join high school education. Gifts were also given out to students and the staff for 2014 best performance.
There was also an peal from the Director for extra responsibility from the school administration, students and the community in caring for the E-Readers because they were a precious gift to the community meant to benefit everyone in a long run. They are a fruit of many generous people's sweat. Fr. Dominic also requested for more cooperation from parents and all present to seek quality education a priority. It's the children's life transforming power to come out of the current chronic poverty eating up individuals and the whole community. He emphasized that investing in equal and quality education for both boy and girl child is one of the main hinges of of the existence of Rubanda Solidarity and we will have to continue to work together to reach this goal. It’s the only way of stamping out rampant stereotype attitudes of injustices between men and women in the community.
He requested them to look at the school enrollment on the notice board and see how the numbers between boys and girls are now almost drawing equal.
Once again thank you so much for having labored so hard to make this project possible and to you who is contemplating how to help, you are welcome aboard.
Please follow the occasion through the photos of the training and launching activities.
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| Teachers on E-reader training Class Feb. 5/2015 |
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| Managers: From L-R Rogers, Immaculate and Innocent Feb. 2015 |
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| Everybody love it. On Training is Tr. Amos- front L (dean) Tr. Joy-C. ( Nursery deputy) and Innocent R-H/T |
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| Trainer Ms Joan Mwachi with some of the Teachers on training |
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| Head Teacher gets actively involved in the Kindle Training class |
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| Everybody is excited about the E-Reader technology |
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| Upper school grades (5-7) attending a Training |
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| Students can't wait to handle an E- Reader during the training |
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| Joan animating the training class |
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| Some of the basic questions of the training posted on a blackboard |
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| Joan trains Bonaventure as a younger trainee. |
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| H/T takes the centra stage for training |
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| Bonaventure enters into a training session |
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| Teacher Immaculate is one of the Mangers on training the students |
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| Students touching the screen for the first time in their life |
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| Black boards, chocks and sponges are still common tools in a class in ugandan schools |
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| Trainees ready to train |
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| Students excited at the training |
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| Joan and the Trainees combine effors for excellent delivery to students |
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| Teacher Amos supervises the students on training |
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| The training was really fun for the students |
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| Excited kids on seeing the ipad light up |
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| They can't believe what they are seeing. "Its amazing", they screemed. |
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| Blessing every success is an African art of wisdom to future successes. Interdependence is a value without which an African can live. We all depend on God first. Student animates the school chior during a launching prayer services |
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| Celebrating the E-Reader Launching Service with the district's local chairman representative Mary and renowned community leader Mrs Topista present. |
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| Some of the religious, friends and community members who were present on the launch. |
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| Children like fun. Its better remembered. |
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| Fr. Dominic and Director of the school confering Certificates to the trainees. |
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| Professor and Engineer Sabit addressing the community on new opportunities of technology books in Rubanda. |
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| Professor Sabit demonstrates how technology has transformed many communities |
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| Former directress and co-founder of the school Sr Stellamaris and her succeessor Sr Beatrice also were present on the launching ceremony. |
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| The Guest of Honor Ms Mary c- next to East African Worldreader Director L- admiring the E-Reader initative in Rubanda. |
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| The incumbent school directress Sr. Anamary Tibihirika addresses the visitors on the launching day. |
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| The PTA Chairperson Mr. Xavier addressing the particpants |
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| The School Management Chair person Sr. Stellamaris addresses the public on the vision of the school. |
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| The Guest of honor Ms Mary takes up the stage |
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| The Guest of honor invites the parents of Fr. Dominic for recognition for a job well done in upbringing and educating their son. Without him, this school wouldn't be here and we could not have had the opportunity to be present today, she said. Father Dominic is the principle founder ten years ago and director of the school that is truly transforming the community |
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| The parents of Fr. Dominic (C) gracing the occasion |
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| The Guest of Honor handing over certificates to the best school performers of PLE 2014 as the director looks on. |
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| Ms Peace L- joins the E-Reader trainees |
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| The School Director Fr. Dominic Joins the trainees for a group photo after their training |
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| The best students on the training smile |
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| Girls can also perform just as excellent as boys when it comes to technology |
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| Boy students proud of being themselves to a bright future |
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| This student wants to reach high with techology. " I can't wait to read all the books in my Kindle", he exclaims as he returns it into its cage. |
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| Bright women of tomorrow put their hands on technology today |
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| Very inspiring new teacher Amos admires how the E-Readers technology is bringing life into the community. |
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| The school bursar C- and administrators being introduced into a new accounting system for better financial management and transperancy. |
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| The RSDA's new accountant Mr.Tadeo-R briefing the administration of his expectations. |
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| Kids who gaze at their bright future with confidence. They just need true parental support to their destiny. |
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| Community Leaders of tomorrow are today's children at our school. Just wait for tomorrow. |
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| How wonderful is God in his creatures. Kids are perfect images of God. |
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| The Director joins the school administration and the PTA executive for a group photo after their regular meeting to deliberate on the school matters |
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| The DAILY School Board register of attendance Feb, 10th 2015 Gender equality is our precious goal. Compare our numbers. |
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| PTA executive surveys a proposed land for a new nursery school construction |
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| PTA surveying for a suitable land for a new nursery school construction. |
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| Kids just love fun no matter where. Our school provides an excellent opportunity. |
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| Innocent as he looks, he is trully God's image |
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| The Director enjoys a fun photo with the school kids. It relaxes their minds after strenuous books. |
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| Look at how funny these great kids can be at our school. |
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| E-Reader books are not only admired by kids. Its atransformational power to everyone. |
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| Enjoy fun teeth or no teeth |
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| Enjoy the African art of free smiles |
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| What's there that moves you to smile? The future is great. Keep walking. |
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Here, suffocation is of highest risk because of lack of enough room for social moments |
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| Tomorrow is made up of today's pieces. Can you imagine what the future holds for these kids? |
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| How lucky are these kids! They have the right to enjoy laughter and smiles with their school's Director who is a missionary in USA and comes back home once a year to visit them. They are very much aware that out are many children as them but whose life opportunities are not as fortunate as theirs. They know that they have been greatly blessed not only by being in a school but of good quality. They all have reasons to be jolly as they read their books. Staying shoulder to shoulder with their school Director reveals a child's thirst for love. They are great Kids with all sorts of amazing gifts and imagination. All want to be great. |
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| Happiness is a gift to pass on to others -especially the little ones like these |
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| How important we are meant to be the care takers of others especially the little ones and the needy.That's what we exist for.We have the mandate to shelter one another regardless of place, age, gender or cost. |
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| School life is essential in a child's life today more than ever before. Unfortunately, they are so many poor kids in Uganda and in Rubanda who miss out this important life requirement. Those children missing the opportunity are already condemned to die with their potentials buried in them. Someone, somewhere must help out. Someone with a generous soul to create a smile on the faces of those little ones. For those who are already doing it, its self explanatory on the faces of the children you support. Thank you. And please if you are someone who is still pondering of what you could do, contact us by Visiting our website at: http://yambaabaana.org/ |
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| These are some of the few children in Uganda who smile and are proud of who they are. Many indeed are full of tears due to extreme poverty in their families into the future. They have nothing to call investment or their own and no hope to hang on. |
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| Proud of being in a good school |
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| Ms Leticia, on the machine is one of the successful trainees of Rubanda Solidarity in life skills who back in 2005 who never stops to be grateful of the opportunity she received through the life-skills training several years ago. Today, her life depends on those skill she acquired for a life long living. She also contributes to the school by making the uniforms. |
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| See the beauty of growign up. Along the way, we all lose something. Could be a tooth or something else. No matter what you lost or will lose, always maintain your self esteem. With the Lord on your side new opportunities will come your way and you will make it. |
