Community Learning

The Learning Centre is open each day from 8am to 6pm. There are always students here studying, and they have such excellent concentration that they keep their noses buried in their books even when we are meeting and talking nearby! We have met students studying physics, mathematics, and science. Although they are in the midst of school holidays they are preparing for their grade exams later in the year. The steady stream of students tell us that the centre is being very well used.

We have met with some of the committee members and had initial conversations about financial reporting, board membership and operation (they requested further training) and ideas about future fundraising. It was such an intense meeting that at the end when we asked them how they were doing, they said, “Exhausted!” (They named Steve “The General”!).

Before our departure, Steve had carefully prepared a very full agenda with Cosmas over the phone and through email. We were sure that it was far too ambitious. And yet, we have found that the local committee is so dedicated that we are getting a great deal of work done. We are excited by their passion and their hopes for the development and sustainability of this centre.

We have been totally impressed with the staff of the Centre. Barbara is the security guard and she is a hard working woman. She lives in the security hut inside the walls of the centre and keeps the grounds immaculate. She has also done a tremendous amount of work for us, helping with the cooking and cleaning.

Vennie is the tutor and she is clearly a bright and passionate woman. Her English has improved in a matter of days and she is always hard at work. Most significantly, she has a teaching spirit: whether with the children or with us, she is always helping others to learn new things. She is a fabulous source of information for us as we try to learn about Ugandan language and culture. We are now able to say thank you, good night, you’re welcome and a variety of smaller words for water and food. She is a real blessing to the children and to the work of the centre.