November 11, 2008
Since September, we have
been actively handing out mosquito nets. First, there was an information
session where people were required to learn about health issues along
with the care and use of mosquito nets. Each family was provided with
one net at a cost of 1,000/= or 1 peso (the community currency). They
were then divided into their area of residence and they signed for their
net, agreeing to use the net according to the instructions. Otherwise,
they agreed to return the net and receive a refund. Pauls & Sonya, our
volunteers from North America, began doing house to house follow-ups
with our adult English teacher, Francis Ssali. Almost 1/3 of the houses
visited initially had not hung their nets. They assisted several of them
and again reinforced the need for the net. A few were so happy about the
information that they went and purchased 1 or 2 more for the family.
During their follow-ups, they also stopped at houses that were not
provided nets & identified the needs. Some were provided information and
a coupon for a net (or 2). To date, we have distributed over 400
mosquito nets and will continue as long as the funding is made
available. The follow-ups are also providing us with valuable
information about needs and problems of the areas. Some are simple
things like the availably of seeds and/or sprayers to rent along with
some chemicals needed for the gardens. We are now setting up a store so
people can come and buy seeds at the same price as in Masaka. We also
purchased an additional sprayer for rent at a low cost.
Recently, we acquired 2
plough oxen for the community's use. Over 50 people showed up at the
demonstration and were astonished that so much land could be ploughed by
oxen. The thought of an acre of land being ploughed in just four hours
left many smiling.
The water retention tank is
less than half full. Normally, we have several heavy rains in October
and November but not this year, so far. The system is almost fully
connected with only a days work needed but all the time has been spent
on the school. We felt it necessary to get the roof on the school before
the heavy rains. Now that roof is completed, we can finish the water
retention and have all the pictures posted very soon.
The teachers have been very
enthusiastic about the computer training that Pauls & Sonya have been
providing. For most of them, this is the first time they have had any
instruction about computers. Since a school in Illinois has kindly
donated 32 alphasmarts, we can plan on teaching the P6 & P7 classes and
each student will have a computer to practice on. It is very unusual for
a village school to have this kind of technology available.
A new latrine for the school
was built. The original latrine was not serving the girls very well and
more stalls were needed so we added 4 more for the girls.
With the end of the year
fast approaching, we glance back and see what has been accomplished so
far with the help of all the volunteers and donors. There have been
several positive changes but so much more lies ahead. It will be a few
more years before we can rest and say our work is completed. In the
meantime, we look forward to the challenges of tomorrow.
September 4, 2008
So far, 2008 has been a very
busy year. Most of the goals we had planned at the beginning of the year
are coming to pass. Construction of the final school block is under way
and should be completed by December. We found an excellent head mistress
and hired a full compliment of teachers. We've obtained 10 Alphasmart
computers to begin teaching student for the third term. In the meantime,
the teacher have been taking computer lessons and will soon be capable
of providing basic computer lessons to students.
The porridge programme has
been a huge success and is now funded through 2009. The children receive
a cup of cooked maize/millet flour with sugar. There is often extra and
several rush back for seconds.
A new kitchen was built with
a more efficient wood burning system.
One room was opened up and a
dental clinic began in April, 2008. A retired Canadian dentist, John
Innis with the help of the Chilliwack Rotary Club, came with instruments
necessary to begin basic dental work such as extractions and small
fillings. We now have the dental clinic open every Wednesday with a
dentist from Masaka.
A latrine for the clinic has
been built and the water retention system will be completed this month.
Over 200 mosquito nets are scheduled to be distributed this month with
the help of 4 student social workers who will monitor the distribution,
instruct the community members & follow up on the installation.
The volunteers that have
come to the centre have done a tremendous job of transforming this
forgotten rural area to a thriving community. The changes have indeed
been dramatic and enhanced the lives of many.
January 6, 2008
With 2007 at an end,
we look back at what has been done over the year. Did we achieve our
goals that we set out at the end of last year? Did we improve on our
first year goals? Let’s first take a look at what we had hoped to
accomplish:
Establish a farmers co-op
Develop and increase new cash crops
Build and register the primary school and hire qualified teachers
Begin development of a secondary school
Provide regular health and hygiene classes and counseling
Begin dental care on a regular basis
Develop a water retention system
Improve cash flow from farm
Develop a good nursery
A farmer’s co-op was established and a committee was elected. The
registered members now total 32 and it is expected to increase in 2008.
French beans, lettuce, zucchini and carrots are new crops for the local
farmers and they are beginning to respond with a small amount for sale.
A secondary school will not be possible until 2009 at the earliest. Two
health & hygiene classes have been held and will be more held for
students in the upcoming school year. We have been in discussions with a
dentist from Canada who is willing to volunteer some time so this looks
possible for 2008. All efforts to obtain a local dentist failed due to
the shortage of dentists and the high cost. Fund for the water retention
system have been raised in December of 2007 and construction should
begin at the end of January. The farm, along with the co-op, has been
generating a small net profit which should increase in 2008. A
functional nursery was built early 2007 with hopes of building a larger,
more permanent one in 2008.
Our goal for (2008)
is ambitious. Implementing a medium and long range plan for income
generating projects is high on the list. Expansions of health care and,
of course, the primary school are also in focus. Equally important is
the need to generate funds to build and maintain the projects. Once in
place, income generated should sustain all services and little or no
money will be needed in the future from outside sources.
- Construct 2 more
classrooms, a library and school office.
- Add P6 and one
teacher/headmaster
- Expand the
clinic area and add dental care
- Have a
physiotherapist at the clinic
- Obtain land and
plant trees, minimum 20 acres (pine and/or cashews)
- Increase sales
for farmers co-op by 25%
- Install a water
retention system
- Build a latrine
for the clinic.
- Build a
permanent nursery
- Begin computer
training for students
- Obtain a reliable
vehicle for the farmer’s co-op
We will also try to arrange some regular transport to and from the area
to assist those that need to travel. Bodas alone are not a long term
solution.
There are
several other things that have happened that have an overall impact.
Several new families have moved into the area, a few new stores have
opened (like a barber shop and beauty salon), there are more bodas
coming into the area and the consumption of alcohol has decreased. More
women are taking control of their lives with family planning and more
people are looking forward with positive attitudes. Blood donor clinics
have been very successful and more mothers are bringing their children
for immunization. We were able to save 3 lives that would have otherwise
died without available transport. A few others waited too long to see us
or could not be saved after arriving at the hospital. We made runs to
the hospital with sick patients on average of twice per week. We do not
see that changing in 2008.During the Christmas/New year season,
government health clinics were closed for 2 weeks!! We were astounded by
this and as a result, the clinic was very busy. Several people from
10-12 km had heard about us and came for treatment.
In the past six months, farmers received over 3.5 million shillings from
the farmer’s co-op. This has provided a good stimulus for the local
economy.
The craft club had a terrific year. Initially, there were 4 members but
it quickly grew to over 50. Profits went to buying 2 sewing machines and
now people are working by making school uniforms.
We became a member of the Ugandan Library Association. Our library
consists of one wooden cabinet and two benches outside but it’s a start.
A porridge programme was introduced into the school in November. We
wanted to see what results could be obtained. Since many students only
eat one meal per day, it was good to see the added benefit of a cup of
porridge (maize flour boiled with sugar added). Students were more
relaxed in afternoon classes. All the teachers agreed that this
programme needed to continue so the children could concentrate better on
their studies. Some of our fund raising efforts are directed to this
programme.
During 2007, we had several volunteers come to help out. These people,
Frances, Diana, Gabrielle, Ester and Arjan along with those that helped
in their home country like Pieter & Carmen have made this project what
it is today. They have given their time, raised funds and worked
tirelessly to provide a better environment for the residence of the
area. Their efforts have touched the hearts of a great many people.
Our financial records for 2007 are almost complete and should be posted
on the site within the next 2 weeks.
On behalf of the people of the Tekera area and all the people involved
in the Centre, we thank everyone who has participated in the development
of this project.
