UDS Chair of Trustees visits Uganda

Mark Sheard, the Chair of Trustees, has just returned from a visit to our projects in Uganda. On his return to the UK he wrote:

I met many inspirational people on this visit – but one particular lady’s story will stay with me for many years to come. She told me how she was widowed 6 years ago which left her both destitute and in despair. But then she told me UDS came, and showed her how her tiny scrap of land could produce food for her family and income from her surpluses.

With pride she showed me her onion patch, her bananas, her maize and other crops. And then, beaming, she quoted Isaiah’s prophetic words to me: ‘UDS bestowed on me a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.Thank you UDS.'

Widow Pirusuka Wotali thanks Mark Sheard

This lady’s story is inspirational – but, I’m thrilled to say, not unique. Indeed, a recent analysis of our impact indicated that UDS

programmes have directly benefitted more than 20,000 people over this past year. This number is trulyremarkable and we are very grateful to all our supporters who give so

generously to allow us to help the poor to break the vicious cycle of poverty.

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Cyber School a great success

Students who use our facilities in Kamuli say a recent three-month trial of a computer-based science teaching programme has been a great success... so we've now gone ahead with a licence to put it to full use for the next three years.

Earlier this year UDS decided to evaluate a scheme called Cyber School, an e-learning programme to teach mainly science subjects at GCE O-level. We hoped that this would help students who do not have access to laboratories or science equipment in their schools.

The scheme was supplied by Cyber School Technology Solutions, a Nairobi-based company that offers digital education services worldwide.  Its courses specialise in science and mathematics.

 

Cyber School was available for three months in our study centre, located in our library, and became very popular. A total of 76 students signed up to use it, and up to 10 students came in every day to access Cyber School.

Many students were intimidated by the prospect of using a computer, but UDS’ library staff soon put them at ease, and three months on many of them are full of praise for the programme. 

Student Joel Zirimenya said, “I had some problems in the science subjects more especially physics,”  but now: “I’m in the best five who are wizards in physics at the school.”

Fellow student Benard Kaima was at first reluctant to use a computer, but now says: “The system helped me find and cover topics that we skipped at school, these topics were never taught even up to now, and the exercises provided at least opened my eyes to a world of questions.”  

Students were dismayed when the demo version expired recently, just as they approached exam period. But now we have a three-year licence, they can look forward to making full use of its benefits for the near future at least.

UDS' marathon hero

One of our key Kamuli staff has completed a heroic feat - coming in the first 100 of a field of 500 in the Busoga Marathon.

Robert (right) with fellow runner

Robert Ssebuliba, who runs our I.T. training programme, was awarded a commemorative key-ring for his efforts.   But his biggest reward was being able to take part in a fund-raising effort to plant trees and preserve the natural environment in Busoga.

Busoga sub-region, once the Busoga Kingdom, is a large area of Uganda that contains Kamuli District, among many others.

The marathon - actually a 10km run - was won by up-and-coming long-distance runner Michael Cherop.

Members of Parliament, religious leaders, NGO staff and business people were among the guests in attendance, and runners came from as far afield as the Democratic republic of Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda and Sudan.

We congratulate Robert on his great success.

If you wish to donate, please visit his JustGiving page:

http://www.justgiving.com/RobertBusogaMarathon

Read more about Robert at our website:

http://www.ugandadev.org.uk/