Sunday, 22nd March 2020

Because of “Corona”: All Schools have been Shut Down

Since Friday the Ugandan government has shut down the schools in the whole country in order to avoid the spread of the new Corona virus.

Unfortunately this infectious disease is also effecting parts of the world with the least possibilities to fight against it. The pupils received homework quickly prepared by the teachers. Also the locust plague is only 5 kilometres away from Adjumani now, and will cause aditional harm. Food prices have multiplied over the last few days. Ugandakids therefore passes on food rations to families in need. The school now needs more security guards. The urgency of social distancing has been explained to everyone at the school. People in Uganda are aware of the fact that this crisis effects everyone in the world, but they are additionally concerned that they will be forgotten. We in Europe are equally concerned about the kids, youth, former pupils and employees in Uganda. We will keep in touch!

Sunday, 13th October 2019

Reconstruction of the Outdoor Facilities

In the last thirteen years the number of pupils has risen from 35 to over 650. All of them play outside in their breaks. The once green areas are now bare grounds. As the plot is partly sloping, strong rainfalls have caused erosion of the grounds. Not only are the roots of the trees affected, but also the foundations of the buildings are completely exposed.

UgandaKids has therefore decided to solve this problem by terracing the grounds. Work has begun a few weeks ago and will last until the end of this year. During the big holiday season grass seeds will be sown on the newly built terraces therefore the soil cannot be washed away any longer

Sunday, 19th May 2019

The Scholarship Program will be Extended

Since 2014 Ugandakids has been giving scholarships to those pupils who want to continue their education but cannot receive financial support from other sources. So far the scholarship program was designated for secondary school education. At the end of this year the first pupils will complete their A-Levels.

Two young ladies now have different plans. They want to train in nursing and as a nursery teacher. Both are orphans, show an excellent performance at school and cannot receive any other funding. Therefore UgandaKids has decided to support them for their professional training. Besides qualified nurses and nursery teachers are strongly needed in Uganda.

All the best of success to you both!

Sunday, 20th January 2019

Club of the “Former Pupils” Found

One of the key guiding principles of UgandaKids is to trust the Ugandans to follow their own plans and perceptions. This often creates dynamics which take us by surprise.

During the big holidays the “Club of the Old Girls and Old Boys of UgandaKids” was found. The club can be joined by anyone who has ever been enrolled at UgandaKids school. What a wonderful idea, now former pupils of UgandaKids can stay connected. This is probably more important in Uganda than in Europe. Of course UgandaKids is offering the canteen for the annual meetings during the holidays. Those who arrive from further away can stay at the boarding school house. Food and drinks are free.

Of course this is also a great opportunity for us to stay in touch and to see which paths some of these young people are taking and which challenges they are facing after their time at UgandaKids school.

Saturday, 14th July 2018

Everything Running Smoothly

The outer circumstances are getting more and more difficult in Uganda, yet at the school everything is quiet and peaceful in the middle of the year.

Three teachers left the school and have already been replaced. The positive reputation of the school and the new teachers’ accommodation has surely contributed towards this.

A few weeks ago a visit of two tax collectors has surprised us a lot. “The school should pay taxes!” Hilda strongly objected and explained that UgandaKids is a non-profit organization obviously without profits, working hard to financially support children who would otherwise not be able to attend school. She explained that UgandaKids is happy to support the government by educating Uganda’s children, but would not be prepared to pay a cent of the European funds to the government. The current situation is that she needs a confirmation from the district administration and then to apply for a tax exemption in Kampala.

Another tax shall be introduced on phone calls and for sending money via mobile phone. Mobile phones are intensely used for “mobile money” transfers in Uganda, thus resulting in strong protests.

We will keep you posted here and on facebook about further developments.