February-March 2008

by Bridget Sangster, volunteer from Canada (March - June, 2008)

Volunteer Accomplishments and Updates

Allie (Allison Newburn from USA) has finished the curriculum for the After School Program for the lower, middle, and high classes. The curriculum is based on the learning objectives of the Ugandan National Curriculum. Along with learning goals and outcomes, the curriculum plan offers volunteer teachers lesson activities and a resource database. The curriculum document is printed and ready for use starting in April.

The Family Outreach Program is going well.  Phillip (Volunteer from USA) organized a Family Outreach Database containing the evaluation of students and information gathered from home visits with family members. The database is continually updated.

New volunteers Crystal, Susan and Julia (from Norway) have also been hard at work on the school building. In addition to teaching in the after school program with Allie and Fred, they have assisted with painting the computer room and library. The computer room looks great and the students have enjoyed using the first completed classroom. The furniture is scheduled to arrive early next week. Crystal, Susan and Julia also introduced a new idea called “We LOVE Hope Academy.” This initiative offers students purpose, motivation, and direction cultivating a sense of ownership and respect towards the program. For the first 20 minutes of a lesson twice a week, the students will complete a series of chores designated by volunteer teachers. Susan has also sponsored two of our orphaned upper level students. Her kind contribution with pay for their school tuitions for an entire year! Thank you Susan!  You can see their video on home page

Sports at the Academy- Sports Uniform Donated by Friends in Norway

New sports kits have been donated by supporters in Norway. The students looked “smart” in the match-up against the local teams in Kyetume. Thank you to the teachers at the International School of Stavanger in Norway for donating educational resources and to the Palma, McClurg, Messina, Oslica, Wesling, Paustian, Drews, Nelson, Markhus, Bates, Giles, Knutsen, Barnett and the McCafferty families in Norway for their donations of clothes, shoes, and other supplies for the students. A large donation was made by the Rouse family in Minnesota, USA, for their substantial donation of monetary funds and other goods. Donations such as these help keep our foundation alive.  

Kalagala Village visited us for a riveting football match on Sunday. Our impecably  dressed Hope Academy team played a heart felt game, which finished in a 0-0 draw.

Our Netball team also hosted Kalagala. They proudly wore their new uniforms, and emerged victorious with a score of 9-7

Women's Empowerment Program

The Women’s Economic Empowerment program is well on the way. The pig project (started by Hannah) is meant to develop economic empowerment and sustainability within the community of women. The pigs have been delivered to the women in four zones. The piglets of those pigs will be distributed to other women in the area, and so forth and so on. Once ones’ pig produces piglets and those are distributed, the pig is then solely theirs, to do what she likes (sell future piglets etc). The first set of piglets is due in a few weeks. The training for this program is continual, and the women have had very positive feed back so far

Crystal, Susan and Julia hosted a Women’s Group meeting on Family Planning. There was an incredible turn out of 73 men and women! They spoke of the social, financial, and time responsibilities of extending ones family. The importance of mutual agreement (between man and wife) regarding children was discussed, and budgeting strategies were taught to the participants. Those who attended had a wonderful time, and we received very positive feedback from women and men alike.

After School Program

The lower school children have enjoyed the week with Allie coloring and reviewing letters. Allie has been focusing on phonics, colors, sounds, stories and songs. The children have proudly displayed their colorful drawings to their teachers and peers.

The middle level students have been engaged in alphabet memorization, word choice and vocabulary in English, sentence structure, parts of speech, sentence completion,

Entreprenuership and Leadership Program

The high level students, working with Fred, have focused on entrepreneurial skills. Fundraising, research, competitors, sales, business ideas, structures, (business plans) cash commandments, business visions strategy. In five years what would be your projected outcome and how do you think you would get there. They have started the structural framework their chicken project. Once completed, they are required to buy, vaccinate, and donate one chicken each to the project. They will sell eggs and chick lets for profits. The profits raised will help sustain the project, with any excess being divided equally among participants for use towards school tuition, books, etc. The students are eager and excited about this project!

Student Highlights: Two Featured Students

Sserugo John Kibundazi

Sserugo lives with his mother. He attended school until 2005 when his father died of AIDS and his mother could no longer afford the tuition and fees associated with the . Sserugo would like to return to school if he could meet his school fees. His goals include becoming and auto mechanic.  He first began attending the Hope Academy After School program because he heard it was free and he wanted to learn. Since he does not attend school, he digs in the garden during the day to earn some income. As an eager 15-year old, he would like to attend school.

Kabogere Joseph

Joseph is 14-years old and lives with his mom, dad and six siblings. Sponsorship would allow him to continue his education after a three year absence due to lack of funding. Neither Joseph, nor his siblings, is able to attend school. He expresses a desire to return to school, eventually graduate and obtain a job as a computer mechanic. He enjoys coming to Hope Academy because he is able to practice using English, understanding computer applications and gaining social skills by interacting with his peers.

Appreciation

An extra special thanks to our volunteers over the past few months. You have changed the lives, the minds, and the hearts of the students at Hope Integrated Academy. You are tremendously appreciated!