There was much excitement at Suubi last Sunday night as we arrived back at Suubi with the 2nd wave of this years volunteers. We had picked the Tomaino family up from the airport the day before and they had spent the previous night acclimatising and recovering from the long flight at a backpackers in Kampala. That was definitely to be a bit of a culture shock for them so they were relieved to finally pull into Suubi and see the brand new 2nd banda they had supported ready and waiting for them.
The second banda now stands at Suubi thank to funds provide by the Tomaino Family.
We had just finished unpacking the now fully repaired van when Kate Leeming called to say that she had arrived at the nearby centre of Kinoni. Kate is an absolutely inspirational Australian lady who is on a cycling expedition from the eastern most point in Africa to the western most point. She started this amazing journey in October last year with the hope of learning more about the cause and consequences of extreme poverty in Africa. Along the way she is visiting projects that are making a real difference to this problem and our very own Suubi Centre is one of only two places she had chosen to visit while passing through Uganda. Very, very exciting!
Throughout her journey everything is being recorded for a documentary. Kate hopes this will educate and inspire others to become involved in projects which offer a sustainable answer to the seeming endless issue of poverty. "It's about offering a leg up, not a hand out" as she so eloquently puts it on her Breaking the Cycle website.
We had just finished unpacking the now fully repaired van when Kate Leeming called to say that she had arrived at the nearby centre of Kinoni. Kate is an absolutely inspirational Australian lady who is on a cycling expedition from the eastern most point in Africa to the western most point. She started this amazing journey in October last year with the hope of learning more about the cause and consequences of extreme poverty in Africa. Along the way she is visiting projects that are making a real difference to this problem and our very own Suubi Centre is one of only two places she had chosen to visit while passing through Uganda. Very, very exciting!
Throughout her journey everything is being recorded for a documentary. Kate hopes this will educate and inspire others to become involved in projects which offer a sustainable answer to the seeming endless issue of poverty. "It's about offering a leg up, not a hand out" as she so eloquently puts it on her Breaking the Cycle website.
David and Helen explained to the Suubi ladies about Kate's journey across Africa.
The next morning, after a well deserved nights rest, we set off with Kate and the Tomaino family to checkout some of our projects in the village. Kate was excited to hear about, and see for her self, what a positive impact our mushroom growing and piggery project are having on all those involved. Both of these concepts require very little to set up and over a relatively short space of time allow the participants to create a sustainable income for themselves.
David explained the simplicity of setting up a mushroom house to Kate.
Babirye proudly showed off her pig.
Next it was off to Bright Light Primary school visit one of our school garden projects. Again Kate and her crew were impressed with the simple concept of teaching schools throughout the area how to develop organic gardens where children can learn a productive and sustainable way to farm the land.
David explained how school children pass on newly learnt farming skills to their families.
Nevine and Lucynda quickly got to know some of the local children along the way.
After the mornings tour of the village Kate spent the rest of the day checking out the facilities at Suubi and some of programs that are currently running at the centre. Ladies came for sewing, craft making and music and dance practise, while business people attended computer classes. By the end of the day Kate had very quickly realised that Suubi fitted right into her criteria of projects that are making a sustainable and long term difference to communities. So hopefully some time in the not to distant future we will sitting watching the TV in Australia and see the familiar faces of Suubi people flashing across the screen!!!
Kate chatted with the Tomaino family while the Suubi ladies rehearsed for an upcoming performance.
David, Helen, Ishmael and Joseph farewelled Kate and her crew.
Amazingly that isn't all that we have to tell you about!
During last week while David and I were in Kampala having Ruby repaired classes at the centre really got into full swing. School children began arriving for reading and computer classes. Some of the schools are very far away from the centre. Children from Busubi PS were transported in the back of a pick up to get there, a far quicker option than the three hours walk that the Sharon PS kids had to make to participate in the classes!
During last week while David and I were in Kampala having Ruby repaired classes at the centre really got into full swing. School children began arriving for reading and computer classes. Some of the schools are very far away from the centre. Children from Busubi PS were transported in the back of a pick up to get there, a far quicker option than the three hours walk that the Sharon PS kids had to make to participate in the classes!
Terry reading with some of the children who come to visit the Suubi library.
Busubi children arrived in the back of a pick up truck.
Sharon Primary School kids are just happy to have the opportunity to be reading.
Joseph is doing a wonderful job of introducing school children to computers.
Computer classes for local business people and teachers have begun.
Busubi children arrived in the back of a pick up truck.
Sharon Primary School kids are just happy to have the opportunity to be reading.
Joseph is doing a wonderful job of introducing school children to computers.
But it is not only the school children who want to learn from the newly arrived computers which were so generously donated by the National Australia Bank. Local business people and school teachers are also lining up to take classes. One of the teachers said a few nights ago, "I am 47 years old but I am still very excited to lay my hands on the computer for the first time!"
Computer classes for local business people and teachers have begun.
So as you can see amazing things are going on here at Suubi. 'Everyday' something new and exciting is happening................In fact we can hardly believe it. Yip yip yippppeeeeee!
A huge HUG from Helen and the team!
A huge HUG from Helen and the team!
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