So so pleased to announce that construction at Kahara Primary School will begin next week

Also see below an encouraging update from Jackie of Build-Africa, our partner, on recent agricultural activity at Kahara.

Thanks to your support of Charlene’s Project, the pupils of Kahara Primary School (Charlene’s Project – second school) have embarked on a new venture this year – to not only learn about farming techniques but to step out of the classroom and into the garden, putting those new skills into practice and reaping the benefits of a bountiful harvest.

The school has received seeds for beans, maize, eggplant, cabbage, carrot and sukuma wiki, a cabbage-like leafy green. So far the pupils have planted one acre of beans and one acre of maize, and the parents have taken it upon themselves to plant one additional acre of cassava. The school plans to plant the rest of the seeds in March 2013 in time for the next rainy season.   

“In the next four months we will be able to offer pupils lunch during the school day, which we have been unable to do until now,” said Bernard, Kahara’s Head Teacher.  “Build Africa has provided us with improved seeds which will hopefully lead to an increased harvest.” Besides seeds, Bernard is pleased to report that the school also acquired “ten hand hoes, a wheelbarrow, two watering cans and jerry cans, 220 plastic water drums, two spades and rakes, as well as a tape measure.”

Agriculture is the main source of income for families in Masindi District, Uganda, and the Head Teacher feels that this focus has truly motivated the school’s gardening programme.  “Parents, teachers and pupils will learn a lot from this project and be able to implement their new skills on their own family farms.”  

Kahara is one of 28 schools in Uganda where Charlene’s Project’s implementing partner, Build Africa, has trained motivated science teachers and gardeners, with the aim of having them lead the way as managers and trainers for these farms.  

Kahara has a motivated science teacher, Warom Emmanuel, who understands the true value of agriculture: it was thanks to his parents’ farm that they could afford to send him to school. “These children need to embrace agriculture because it is so valuable; I earned my education through it,” said Emmanuel.

“I am so glad we now have a school garden because we will be able to eat a midday meal,” said Asara, one of the pupils involved in the gardening.

 Remember the Big Festive Fry on Saturday 15th December – monies raised will put a bore hole to provide clean water to the Kahara community.