Report from BHW Uganda Partnership Facilitator

Key people: Justus Matsiko and Reuben Tumuheirwe 

I was at the school on 1 July and was treated to an extravaganza of dance, song and speeches. The songs and children's performances were of a very very high standard and the whole school participated. 

Recent Events

Children

The school roll is considerably larger than when we were last here in 2014. There are now approximately 200 children up from 120-140 in 2014. The classes now go to Primary 5 and are expanding each year. The growth in numbers is evidence (I was told) that the local community has increasing faith in the school and the quality of the education delivered. Many of the parents are illiterate and are appreciating that their children are now learning to read and assist the parents in issues needing reading. The teachers are also doing some adult education. Of the children in the school about half would have no other education alternative and would not otherwise be in school.  

Teachers

There are 10 full time teachers and teacher training institutions have put 4 student teachers on placement. 

School Fees

Payment of school fees is still a problem. Many of the children are being raised by grandparents as their parents have died of HIV/AIDS. For the grandparents the payment of fees is a big problem as they are very poor and have health issues. The school is feeding 190 of the children for the midday meal. The children who are being fed each day are being asked to bring 3kg of beans each term to contribute towards the food. Sometimes this is in place of school fees. 

On the positive side, Justus recently held a parents meeting attended by 60 people where he talked about Foundations for Farming. As a result two of the parents attended the FfF seminar we held in Rukungiri and benefited greatly from it. 

New Site

The school has relocated to its new site which is about 300 metres from where it was previously. They purchased an old school and renovated it inside and out. I was very impressed at the amount of work which has gone into the new school site. Justus explained to me that they had been ordered by the District School Inspector that they had to move from the old school site as there were significant issues with sanitation. They relocated the school to the new site in February 2016. However it is important to note that they were actually ordered to move earlier than they had originally planned. 

Justus has taken a bank loan to assist in the renovation cost but I understand that this was to smooth out the cash flow and that of the 5,000,000 shillings borrowed, 3,000,000 has been repaid now.

The school does not presently have its own water supply but accesses it from a pump on land owned by the Scouts Association on the other side of the road. For a water supply the school needs to install a tank or alternatively connect to a water supply up near the road. At this stage the water pipe near the road is not functioning properly as the pump is broken and it is hard to see that a tank, unless it is really large, will adequately meet the school's needs.  The other land owned by the Scouts also provides a very adequate playground area for the children. 

Overall I was extremely impressed by the changes in the school and it's new site. On the way back to Rukungiri we passed the old school and I realised how much better the new school site is and the potential for the school to grow and develop. Also evident was the quality of the education. It is impressive. 

Personal Stories

Unfortunately on this visit there wasn't any time to interview any of the teachers or children. It was a pretty full on visit with school entertainment and speeches etc.

Partnership's Influence within the Community

The fact that the parents/grandparents are sending their children to the school in increasing numbers is a testimony to what is happening in this area. 

Parents are attending meetings to hear what is happening in the school.

The local area is poor and downtrodden but this school offers an excellent opportunity to influence this area for the gospel and livelihood improvements.

There is the possibility of setting up a micro-loan programme and it is up to the leadership to pursue this.

Children who could not otherwise get an education are benefitting. Of the present school roll we are told that half of the children would have no other educational options. 

Ideas for the Future

In our discussions Justus and Cephas, the principal, were able to outline a very clear future plan, much of which does not affect BHW or its support. The plan is around:
- Building a new classroom block to handle the expansion of the school to primary 7. This is realistic and appropriate. (Photo shows site for new classrooms)
-  They would like to see the school roll ultimately reach 600 although this would be a number of years away.
- Income generation from within the community, both teachers and parents, is a priority but Justus is aware that this has to happen slowly. 
- I appreciated the commitment of the teachers to deliver quality education within the constraints of the school's resources. They are doing well.
- The school needs its own on-site water supply. At present it is carried from a well on the scout land. This cost is quite small.

Current Issues and Challenges

Basically the school suffers from a lack of cash flow, but very committed teachers. In addition, the poverty of the community poses some real challenges, but there is a good and growing level of acceptance and support from the parents. A recent parents meeting had 60 people there. 

The effect of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is felt quite keenly out in Marumba as many of the children are being raised by grandparents.

Prayer and Praise Points

Praise

1) The children have settled well into the new site and it is much superior to the old one. 
2) The school is having a positive influence in the community . Parents are very happy with the quality of teaching. 
3) Even the teachers in the local government school send their children to Marumba School because they recognise it is doing well.
4) The school is very well organised and the teachers very committed even despite the challenges they face and the fact that they are paid half of what a government teacher would earn. 
5) The children appear happy and settled. 

Prayer

1) The issues around poverty in the community are still very evident and affect the school.
2) There is not enough money to balance the books - it is that simple. 

Comments

Despite the logistical problems associated with assisting schools I think that Marumba Christian School should have BHW continuing support for some period into the future. This school is impressive and is doing something important in the community. It will still take some years before the benefits are fully felt in the community, but they are there.