Kaluko Resper is studying hard and looking forward to Christmas....

I am Kaluko Resper, a second year student at Busoga University. Pursuing a bachelors’ degree in social work and social administration. I  frequently use the services of UDS, as I did a computer training course with them. Now I’m using their library for my revision as I prepare for exams.

I’m praying hard that the exams will soon be over, so I can start preparing for Christmas Day, which will be observed by everyone in our community, as well as across the country.

Christmas being a holiday when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, we prepare for it in many different ways. For example, we buy new clothes that are different from everyday ones, so when the big day comes we are dressed up. We also put some money aside to buy meat (not a regular foodstuff for most Ugandans), maybe as much as 10 kilograms, soft drinks, different types of alcohol, and juice for the big day. It’s really fantastic because it’s only on that day that we can enjoy these types of food and drink.

In our community, as Christmas approaches everyone starts brushing their teeth every day with the aim of making them sharp for the day itself. By the time we get to Christmas Eve we don’t even sleep, we keep busy preparing different dishes so that on Christmas morning we can go to church. Afterwards we all sit round with our family and have a meal.

So this comes with loving thoughts to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year – heartfelt greetings filled with affection. May the joy and happiness of Christmas fill your heart with lasting gaiety and tranquillity,  and each new day in your life shine with hope and joy.

Merry Christmas..

Batemye is so looking forward to his Christmas day in Kamuli............

MY CHRISTMAS DAY

I’m Batemye Derrick. I’m a P7 (first year of secondary school) pupil aged 13 and I live in Kamuli. I am doing computer training with UDS at the moment during the school holidays.  

I am eagerly awaiting Christmas Day on 25 December.

I am waiting for it because I always enjoy it.

On the day, first of all very early in the morning I say my prayers, I lie on my bed, then get up and bathe, put on my suit and go for breakfast.

For breakfast, our mother buys a big cake, and that’s the only day in the whole year that we eat cake for breakfast. After breakfast, we all go for prayers. During prayers, there is a choir who sing gospel songs.

Then after prayers we come back home, where our nanny has already prepared lunch. For lunch, we have chicken, matoke (a Ugandan dish made with plantain), rice, potatoes, soft drinks and so on. After lunch we rest a little bit, then we bathe again, and get dressed in different clothes.  Then our father comes for us and takes us to a restaurant. 

There we meet other clan members and family friends. We eat and dance until we get tired.

That’s all about my Christmas.

Do you fancy a challenge in the New Year? - Nightrider 2012

Nightrider 2012  
Do you fancy a challenge?  How about joining the UDS team for Nightrider 2012?

The Event is being held on 9 / 10 June 2012

It is a one day charity ride with a difference...it’s at night!

Nightrider™ - an exciting 100km moonlit ride past London’s iconic landmarks.

Tower Bridge, a deserted City of London, Canary Wharf, London Zoo, Piccadilly Circus, British Museum, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and more...Click for full details of The Route and to see the FAQs

A unique London charity event in the 2012 Olympic year.

See the sights of London as never before whilst you cycle the deserted streets.  On June 9th, a team from UDS will be completing the 100km challenge and raising funds for our work in Uganda.

We have a number of guaranteed places for this popular event - all we ask is that you raise a minimum of £350.  Read about last year, find out more about the event and sign up.
 Any questions call 020 3286 3306.

Help improve a life in Uganda when you shop online

Do you shop online ?  You can raise funds for Ugandan Development Services at no cost to you. Your Christmas presents can really make a difference.     Choose can  from High Street retailers such as John Lewis, M&S and Debenhams or visit specialist webstores such as Amazon.  Take a look their are lots of retailers to choose from: http://www.spendandraise.com/uds/shop/retailers/   All of these retailers pay a commission to us if you go via the webportal   www.spendandraise.com/uds

Tell your friends and family about this easy way to help the people of  Uganda while they do their Christmas shopping this year.

Fantastic fun was had at Book Week 2011 in Uganda

Book Week plays an important role in Uganda in promoting literacy.
In Kamuli, where levels of literacy are considerably lower than elsewhere in Uganda, the UDS Library was instrumental in organising events around local schools.

Events are held up and down the country during Book Week, which celebrates reading and literacy in all its forms.
It all began back in 1997, and this year saw a book fair in the capital, Kampala; children’s book tents in towns and villages throughout the land; and reading events in local libraries.

The emphasis is on the joy and pleasure of reading, as well as its educational value.














This year’s book week ran from 10-15 October, under the theme “Bridging the Gaps”.  UDS’ input got off to an early start, with a visit by our Executive Director Rita Epodoi, who visited St Kizito Primary School in Kamuli.  She called for the continued expansion of a reading and writing culture -  and these children seem to be taking notice!

For more information and a first hand view of the weeks progress and the childrens thoughts and questions, take a look at Roberts Blog he is our IT Project Officer and thoroughly enjoyed being part of Book Week 2011.
It makes very interesting reading.......

Meet Paul & Betty Mumbwe

Recently John Maitland, our founder, on a visit to Uganda arranged a meeting with some of the local farmers in Ngandho Parish at Paul and Betty Mumbwe's house. 

John was very interested to see and show the other farmers Paul and Betty's kitchen with its new smokeless oven.

The oven was build  by the Uganda Development Services team supported by SOFRA (Smokeless Ovens for Africa).

These new stoves are made of a mixture of termite mound, a sticky mud when wet, and cut up straw.  This then makes an excellent insulator compared with the traditional 3-stone method the advantages are:

·         A chimney takes the smoke from the kitchen

·         It uses less than half the fuel - firewood

·         It cooks very quickly

·         It is safe for children and lowers fire risk

·         Food is easily kept warm

·         It cooks two pans at a time.

Take a look at our Flickr album for more images, together we are making a difference........

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ugandadevelopmentservice/sets/72157627382945981/

News from Kamuli, Uganda Book Week 10th-15th October 2011

THE KAMULI BOOK WEEK REPORT

The National Library of Uganda organised  2011 National Book week festival on 10^th-15^th October, the theme “BOOKS BRIDGING THE GAP” The event was meant for all public libraries in Uganda and Uganda Development Services with its library in the Kamuli district took part.

This event saw schools both Primary and Secondary participating in debates, quizzes and colouring in.

A student having fun colouring her picture.

We looked at the many activities and projects which included the UDS Library, Computer training, internet, water tank project, smokeless oven project and the farming project.

I was representing the IT section........
Many schools, individuals and teachers visited the UDS computer training and the internet section and many of these wanted to know how computer and the internet can make an impact in literacy. I confidently expressed  how a Computer is instrumental in Education, I gave them a view of what happens at University level. I explained that  if you lack computer knowledge it can be a challenge. So I advised them to carry out computer lessons as early as possible so that they can type assignments,send an assignment via an email address etc.
I continued by advising  students who study music to also gain good computer skills to help them in todays techno. world

We looked at how to use  flash, CD, DVD or floppy disk and then store them to your computer.

A pupil from Trinity primary school asked what a computer was?
I tried to help by showing them each part of the computer, its name and at the end of all I told them that the combination of all those parts makes a computer and then they said Eehhhehh .....meaning they now understood the computer......

Another Pupil from Bazallel preparatory  primary school said that she wonders what they use the mouse for?
Basic questions......Well many questions including many secondary school students asked a lot about software, etc.

During the internet session I demonstrated how the internet can act like an encyclopaedia. I gave some websites as examples to the source of literacy such as www.s-cool.co.uk for the secondary school material such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics , Mathematics, Geography, History etc.
I also demonstrated to the primary pupils how important the internet is to them; I gave them an example of some of the websites they can browse in terms of games and some more creative and educative like www.playkidsgames.com which had Mathematics, Alphabetic, Vocabulary, spelling etc.
Most of these students and pupils found this so strange and miraculous and actually they never wanted to leave the internet session.

I then showed how they can use the internet to acquire scholarships, to do online education and to link up with other students from all over the world through the social networks such as www.facebook.com, www.youtube.com etc,

Quotes from the participants.

A student from Central College Secondary School called Kasima Gloria wanted to extend the computer lessons to schools so that even those students that board can benefit and get a chance of acquiring more computer knowledge.

She also wanted to spread computer training and internet to rural areas. She explained that most of the students come from urban areas during school time and that she is in the boarding section so after school she returns to her rural home far from her school. She advised UDS to push such services to rural areas so that such students like her can also get a chance to train computer and gain knowledge.

Mr.Gabula,  a Journalist explained how  UDS has helped him, he started by narrating a story on how he used to struggle to send a news report to Jinja through the Tax drivers which was so expensive and sometimes it could reach late. Since UDS resources in Kamuli his work has been much easier,costs reduces as well as improved timekeeping. He continued by explaining how UDS taught him to type, edit sound, attach it and send via mail to his bosses in Jinja..

  WHAT I REFLECTED

 I identified a need to sensitise local schools regarding computer knowledge and internet opportunities.

I also express an interest of extending the service of Computer training to schools as Gloria advised.
We should take these services to schools just as the book box took its course. This is the only way of preparing children and students for the real world today. I realised with shock, that all the schools that participated in the event had no computer lab or computer lessons. They therefore teach the old way, and only teach children and students how to read hard, pass and get good grades. They don’t prepare them for the world today.

CHALLENGES

Some of the challenges with this event especially in the IT section was electricity shortage.

I also found it hard to explain to little children what a computer was since most of them had never seen it physically so it required a lot of time to explain.

CONCLUSION

  

As I conclude I thank the Lord who made the event  move well throughout the week and the UDS Management  which included the Executive Director Mrs Epodoi Rita who was so busy scrubbing the carpet the first night of the book week  The Program Manager Mr. Yiga Andrew who took part in each and every department of work to make sure that things where doing well (I remember seeing him being part of the team that made sure that the tents were up),he was also the MC on the final day,

The Program officer  Geoffrey who cleaned the tables and chairs every early morning and then teaching children how to read, write, colour and draw , leading the children in quiz and debates. Grace and Michael who mopped the all flow both within and outside UDS, Mr Geoffrey Ssentamu the driver who gave support to all departments(Tent, mopping, lifting chairs and tables, cleaning the tables and chairs and at the same time driving here and there),  Mr. Lodda Charles all the way from Kampala to Kamuli gave support in putting up the tent , chairs and tables and making sure everyone received a soda, The Librarian David and Chris a volunteer  where busy making sure that the books for the exhibition were already laid on the tables then Peter  who made sure that he registered each visitor who attended the event and finally myself making sure the projector was up and all the information available.
Big up to all of us who made this event to a grand success May the almighty continue to bless UDS and each one of us in his accordance.

Thank you

Robert Ssebuliba. K

UDS IT Project Officer

Kamuli, Uganda

Meet Peter Mumbya

When our founder John Maitland last visited Kamuli, he met and chatted to the lovely, PETER MUMBYA

Peter served in John and his wife's hotel in Kamuli and after a brief chat John discovered that Peter had completed his O levels and A level examinations. He successfully completed Fine Art, Economics, Chemistry, and Geography at A level. Quite an accomplishment!!

It was then wonderful to hear that UDS had helped him ........

The UDS library, he says, helped him to get good grades.

books” in the UDS library.

no school fees, he paid 50p a week to enable him to go on reading in the UDS

library. He found “the right books" in the UDS library. Even when he was out of school because of having no school fees, he paid 50p a week to enable him to go on reading in the UDS library. The staff “are my friends – they know me very well”.
It is great to know that together we are making a difference. If you would like to help and get involved, then please get in touch http://www.ugandadev.org.uk/about/

We would LOVE to hear from you

WOW! What a Day.......

Well Done Helen on completing the London Parks Marathon........

In her own words.........

Wow, what a day!  When i left home I had thought I would be walking over the finishing line as I hadn’t had a lot of time to train recently.  But it was a beautiful day in London, a great temperature to run in (not too hot, not not too cold) and no rain. There were +11 thousand runners in all.. that’s a lot of runners!  It was really exciting at the start and there was so much energy as everyone got ready to set off ..it was also very humbling to see how many people were running to raise money for so many great charities… I was thrilled to be running for UDS.

http://royalparkshalf.com/

It’s called the London Parks Marathon as the route takes you around Green Park, Hyde Park and St James’ Park, a really pretty route with loads of supporters lining the route shouting encouragement.  It also includes running past Buckingham Palace and around Trafalgar Square, good fun as it’s not every day you get to stop the London traffic and do that!

Needless to say I was delighted as I managed to run the full 21km (on my recent training that was quite an achievement) .  I loved it and love running for UDS -  a huge thank you to those who have sponsored me… it meant a lot to me and I know your money together with Microsoft’s matching will go a long way to help the people in Uganda who UDS touch.

Thanks

Helen

Helen's Just Giving page is still available for anyone who would still like to support her. http://www.justgiving.com/runlondonUDS

If  Helens challenge excites you and you think it would be something that you would like to do.

Take a look at this link http://www.halfmarathonlist.co.uk/london-half-marathon.php and think about Running the London Half Marathon for UDS in 2012. If you apply please let us know as we would love to follow you and your training program.

What Helen, one of our Trustees has to say.......In her own words........

I am taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in support of UDS (Uganda Development Services). Complete madness but it is such a good cause!

UDS is a really great charity that helps families in rural Uganda who are in severe poverty through the provision of water tanks, smokeless ovens inside home, farming support, IT and literacy support too… all great stuff!:)

 

I've recently started training; to make the most of the effort it takes, please help in making a difference to the people of Uganda

No amount is too small...equally there is no obligation. £5 could provide a school text books,£25 could train a farmer with skills to bring his earnings above a dollar a day or £250 could build a water storage tank for rainwater collection for a family.

If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 25% in tax will be added to your gift to UDS, at no cost to you. every £, Euro, $ or SA Rand you donate will be matched through Microsoft's generosity.... £1 becomes £2.00.

Thank you for your support!

Helen

An Exciting Challenge....

Double Your Money with Helen

Trustee Helen Putland is raising money for Ugandan Development Services on Sunday 9th October by running the Royal London Parks Half-Marathon.

The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon is one of the most scenic city runs in the world, starting and finishing in Hyde Park.  The beautiful 13.1 mile route races through four of London’s stunning Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park and St James’s Park) and offers runners magnificent views of some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Marble Arch and the Royal Albert Hall along the way.
Take a look ....... Royal Park Half Marathon 2011

After a strict training programme the event is now only days away and Helen's employer, Microsoft has agreed to match all donations made in support of Helens brave challenge in completing this 13.1 mile Marathon . Please support Helen by making a donation to Helen's Justgiving page . Remember All amounts will be doubled by the her employer Microsoft.
From all of us at Ugandan Development Services .......GOOD LUCK HELEN we will be CHEERING YOU ON!

An exciting day is coming.......

We are very pleased and excited at Uganda Development Services, as our founder, Dr John Maitland, will be interviewed and will preach at the 10.00 am service at St John’s Ealing, on Sunday 16th October. 

He will be sharing with us some of his experiences and the challenges he has faced over the past twenty years with his involvement in Uganda. There will also be a small UDS exhibition at the church.

A Little History..............

After several years working in rural Uganda with C.M.S. as a medical superintendant in Ngora hospital, Dr. John Maitland and his wife Hilary founded Uganda Development Services (UDS) with the aim of helping the poorest uplift themselves, by providing appropriate and relevant information.

After extensive research, Kamuli was chosen as a focus area for the initial project because of its high levels of poverty. The beneficiaries of our work are individuals and families who need information to help them progress in their education, or their work. The range of our work now extends to the farming communities, and the disabled.

It has the constant theme that through Sharing Knowledge, we can help people Build Lives.

 

Find out more - http://www.ugandadev.org.uk/about/history/

We would love it, if you were able to join us, and hear about all the various programmes that we are running which are sharing knowledge and building lives in rural Uganda.

 www.stjohnsealing.org.uk gives full details of their location.

If you are not familiar with St. John's - they are located at the Northfields Avenue end of Mattock Lane in Ealing. Visit their website

A Great New Idea........

I’ve always thought that the best way to get people fundraising is by them doing something that they enjoy – and the fundraising bit is just an add on.   Whether it is running marathons, holding coffee mornings or quiz nights, or going to a formal dinner .

When I was thinking about ways to fundraise for our book box scheme – my thought turned to book clubs.  It was also prompted by a friend of mine who belongs to a book club saying that she thought that her and her friends could fundraise for something when they met each month.

So our book club campaign has been born.  We are starting small – contact existing donors, friends and family that are in Book  Clubs and those local to our office in Ealing.  We hope that the idea will be successful – we estimate we need 3 clubs giving £10 a month to provide a Book Box for a secondary school in rural Uganda. 

To find out more about our work promoting literacy and giving children the tools to succeed in their academic career  – look at our website http://www.ugandadev.org.uk/what-we-do/library/book-boxes/

We will keep you posted on our progress……