·     School construction: The roof was completed the second week I was in Uganda in December.  See picture via link above. We filled most of the foundation with soil. A few rooms still need to be filled.

·     We are working with Architecture for Humanity chapter of Minnesota to help with architectural designs for future school buildings. They will include dormitories, teachers/volunteer housing, a permanent space for computer center and library, clinic, a science center with laboratories, and more classrooms. Trees have been planted in the school compound. Some are fruit trees and for shades.

·     Library and computer center: Two rooms have been completed and will be used for as library and computer center. They are small class-size rooms but will be sufficient for the time being. Plastering, floors, ceiling, electrical wiring, window and doors have been completed remaining with painting. The funds were donated by family and friends of Phil Rouse, a current volunteer in Uganda.

·     I carried with me three flat panel computer monitors. So currently they have six monitors and more than 20 CPUs but majority of them needs monitors. The new computer center space can accommodate about 16-20 PCs.

·     The Williams College funds will purchase some essential textbooks for the library (this one of our volunteers, Hannah' college). We are getting books for elementary, secondary, and vocational grades since our facilities serve all students in the community. Opportunities for donated books from the US and UK are many but shipping costs are prohibitive.

·     Furniture for the library, computer center, and one office has been ordered. The funds came from my peace and justice award in Nov 2006 from a foundation in Minnesota. I promised to use it for this purpose.

·     Next, we plan to finish one other room for office space. Currently, all work is carried out at my mom's house which is not convenient. There is no space for filing or keep school material. So, it's crucial we set up an office in the school building. Four rooms were designed for office space. In the meantime, we will use one room as a small clinic until the next phase of construction is done.

·     We registered a good number of after-school program students at the beginning of the year and more are still coming. I left before registration was complete; so I don't have the actual count but there were about 85 students. There has been a growing interest in the program. The volunteers have been doing family outreach and often receive positive feedback from the parents. They also observed some improvement in students' performance at their regular schools. However, the program still needs to be strengthened with a more formal structure. Strategies are being laid down to achieve this goal. Curriculum books and teachers' guide books have been obtained from the Ministry of Education. One volunteer has taken on the task of documenting all activities and lesson plans for the program. See work plan attachment.

·     A youth camp for kids 13yrs and above took plane on Jan 11-13th which was a success. Topics included HIV/AIDS awareness/prevention, sex education, family life/gender roles, and future planning. Other activities included a debate, drumming, and soccer. Kids brought food and cooked for themselves involving both boys and girls in the chores. The kids enjoyed the camp and requested that similar camps be organized. It was a new experience for them.

·      Students in the upper class are planning a group project that would generate income for their school supplies. The project is part of the entrepreneurship class Fred is teaching. They chose to undertake a chicken project. The project allows them opportunity to put in practice what they learn. The students are working on drafting a business proposal/plan for their project. They will raise the money themselves and be responsible for caring for the chickens. Another project will involve making bricks and then sell to URF. We get the building material and they get funds for school needs and learn a skill at the same time. Great for both of us!

·     Our volunteers, local and international, have made a huge contribution to this program. They have made it possible for the after-school program and the women's programs to run smoothly.

·     The women's program kicked off very well. The first round of training/seminar is going well. The seminars are conducted on zone levels. The first round involved topics on domestic violence and the advantage of a woman earning income in a household. I attended one of the seminars and I was impressed by the openness of the people. They participated very well and were eager to share ideas and experiences. This was an initiative of Hannah, Monica, and Thirsa - some of our volunteers. Hannah's friends at Williams also contributed funds to support this program. A pig project is being started as an income generating scheme for the women and their families.

      Orphanage - a cow has been purchased to start a cattle project to generate income for the home. It will also provide milk for the kids. The Kinel family, of Andy one of the EWB-Virginia Tech crew, made a big contribution to this project supplemented by Hannah' grandmother and Thirsa from Netherlands. Thirsa and her mother also bought the kids a television set. Her mother brought six suitcases of cloths. They bought mattresses and blankets for some elderly people in the village. They also made a contribution to the after-school program; this is used to purchase glasses for the windows for the library and computer room. Hannah also contributed funds to build a new pig pen for six pigs. The funds run short so we will need to contribute to this to finish up the pen but most of the structure is done.

·     We did some shopping for the children - we got beds sheets for everyon, books and other school supplies. Some kids also got cloths and shoes. The house mother, Josephine, also got shoes and traditional dress. These things were donated by various people responding kids requests on the website wish list.

·     Some volunteers have identifying various kids in the after-school program to sponsor. Some volunteer volunteers support the kids for only one semester and others make long term commitment.

·     Back here in VA office - shortly before I left for Uganda I received two documents: the URF business plan from the University of Richmond Jepson school of leadership class and the URF fundraising and donor communication plan from the Virginia common wealthy University fund development class. This spring we will be implementing some of the proposed strategies including forming an advisory board based in Richmond. In Minnesota, Ben is also trying to get back together the fundraising program at the metrodome and xcel energy center.

Thanks for your continued commitment to supporting URF work in rural Uganda. Together we can make a difference.

Many blessings,

John Mary -