Suubi Secondary School Blog

14-3-2015, SSVC Showcased At Graduation Party

A huge graduation party was thrown at Suubi Secondary & Vocational College today to honour our very own Ssemwogerere David, who recently graduated from his Masters in Rural Development. More than a 1000 people from the local community, district level, Kampala and across country, all gathered in Lubanda Village to heap praise on David for everything he has been able to achieve in his life. This of course meant all of these people were able to see first hand the wonderful new facilities at Suubi Seconday & Vocational College; the latest addition to the Suubi Centre Project which David first established in 2008.

The logistics of organising and event of this size were enormous but two very committed groups of organisers (one in Lubanda and one in Kampala) worked tirelessly in the lead up to the event to make sure the day would be a fitting celebration for David; their hard working friend, uni mate, mentor, colleague and Suubi family member. David has certainly touched many lives in a positive way and the graduation party was a way for EVERYONE to say thank you!

In true Ugandan style, everything needed for the party came from contributions made by the people who would attend; from financial contributions through to donations of matooke or sticks of firewood - everyone gave something, depending on what they could afford.

Friday saw a swarm of people descend on the school site as tents and PA systems were set up in readiness for the party.

Mountains of matooke was peeled by the ladies to make sure their would be enough food for everyone to enjoy the following day.

For the very first group of SSVC senior one students, who only recently commenced classes in February, the graduation party will surely be something they will remember forever. They certainly looked the part on the day, in their newly made uniforms that the Suubi sewing groups had worked around the clock to have completed in readiness for the day.

A class photo with Ssemwogerere David and Helen Brown from HUG, on the morning of the graduation party, saw all of the inaugural class looking fabulous; all kitted out in their newly made school uniforms.

The actual days event began with a service to bless the new school buildings. This also presented an opportunity for the Father to explain to the students, and all those who had gathered, about how the home based chicken project, which the school has initiated, will help students and their families raise money to cover their school fees.

David's close friends Moses and Jimmy were happy to be along side him during the service and hear more about the how the SSVC home base project will help the students and their families.

Once each of the classrooms and offices had been officially blessed everyone gathered for different group photos with David to make sure they would all have a lasting memory with the inspirational man who had truly bought rural development to Lubanda Village.

Madelana, David's mum, was joined by other family members - they were all unbelievably proud of what David has done to help so many people.

Staff members and Suubi ladies were happy to see David being recognised for the great work he has done across the many components that now makes up Suubi; education, health and livelihood projects.

The first group of SSVC students certainly have a wonderful role model in David. To know that he has come from the same village as they do, and has been able achieve so much in his life, is something they can aim to emulate in the future.

Once the guests of honour arrived the entertainment and official speeches got underway. In the lead up to the party the SSVC students had practised long and hard to make sure the two songs that Mr Robert (the head master) had specifically written for the event would be just perfect. Everyone in the crowd thoroughly enjoyed their performance and many commented what a wonderful message they were sending to everyone in the audience.

Hon. Ssendaula Gerald (former finance Minister), Hon.Mbabaali Muyanja, Governor Mutabaazi George, Governor Hajji Abdu Kiyimba, Hon .Sarah Nkonge, and Cissy Namujju formed the official party.

The SSVC students were an important part of the entertainment for the day and were certainly not over whelmed by preforming in front of official guests and more than 1000 people.

The Suubi ladies group also impressed everyone with their energetic traditional dancing.

David's Mum, Madelena, told the crowd of how she had always supported David to follow his dream of a good education, even selling her only sewing machine and land to be able to afford to pay his school fees. Many people doubted her at the time but now she is rightly very proud of the fact that he has gone on to help so many people.

Helen Brown from HUG, praised David's ability to make 'REAL' change in the village rather being content just to have learnt about rural development theoretically at the university. She proudly represented the many, many international friends he has made along the way and passed on their love and congratulations.

With speeches complete it was time for gifts to be given and the dancing to begin. Once again people bought gifts they could afford; some came with woven mats, cups, flasks, clocks, cash or even livestock like the goats that the Suubi ladies group had bought!

With David having done so much for them, the Suubi ladies group combined to show their gratitude by presenting him with a goat.

David and his partner Hellen happily excepted all sorts of gifts from family, friends and community groups.

Another exciting thing to happen on the day was a gift that was given to the school from a very prominent business man. He provided two full woodwork kits and a electric sewing machine and knitting machine. He had been impressed by what had been achieved at SSVC to date and is keen for the students to have the necessary equipment needed to begin some of the vocational subjects to be taught. It is wonderful to see local support like this increasing as people see for themselves what a positive impact Suubi continues to have on the community.

The sewing machine, knitting machine and tools were gratefully excepted and will be put to great use at SSVC.

So as you can see, David's graduation party was indeed a great event. A fabulous way to thank and recognise him for everything he has achieved to date and also a wonderful way to showcase Suubi Secondary & Vocational College. It is exciting to think what else may lay ahead for our inspirational friend, Ssemwogerere David and the Suubi community!

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20-2-2015, Home Based Projects Kick Off

It was another exciting day today when the first lot of chickens were distributed to students as part of Suubi Secondary & Vocational Colleges' home base project. Fifty five chickens were handed out and more will follow over the coming days as chicken are sourced from within the local community. Each student will be responsible for caring for their chickens at home and their whole family has agreed to support them in this project. Families are happy knowing that the eggs they collect will create an income, making it possible for them to pay their school fees. The project will become part of the students day to day learning as students record information about how their chickens are doing and the number of eggs they are laying. Families will also meet regularly at the school so they can be guided and learn from each others experiences.

Nakuya Catherine and her Mum were happy to be one of the first student to receive chickens today.

Namulindwa Mayimuna was also happy to take chicken home to begin her home based project.

Suubi Secondary & Vocational College has certainly had a positive impact on the surrounding community since opening on February 2nd. Everyone associated with the school is excited by the new structures, that provide a wonderful learning environment, and all of the opportunities that the school has bought with it. Students, teachers and parents are all appreciative of being part of SSVC - Here is just a small sample of what they have had to say:

Nakasiige Jacenta (Student) "This is total new experience studying in such an environment. Good looking classes, seats, toilet, teachers and having meals at schools is all a new experience to me. I hope to perform better than before. I am happy to also be studying computer and keyboard here at SSVC. I can’t imagine all this."

Ssebombo Emmanuel (Parent) "I am personally impressed and happy for the introduction of SSVC in Lubanda village. Many things have come in our lives just because of this school. For example the students’ chicken project is another unique and supportive initiative, not only to the student but also to the entire family. Creating jobs in the community for the locals like myself, now making students schools uniforms, also cooks and teachers. Besides, our children especially the girls, are now saved from all risks associated with walking long distances to schools. We are always updated on what is happening in class on a daily basis by our children, so we can keep track of our children’s’ presence at school."

Nantale Noelin (Parent) "This is really a blessing in our community. Reports from our children are that they are feeding well and teachers are also doing a good job. The kind of patience the school is showing us in regards to demanding school fees is really relieving for us to look for money to pay. We hope with this kind of understanding and collaboration, our children will also a acquire the education."

Sebadhuka Richard (Deputy Director of Studies and Chemistry/Physic Teacher) "The school is still too young but am impressed with the way how everything is set up. Having only one class to start with, is another good strategy that I haven’t seen in many other schools and areas in Uganda. This will give us the opportunity to plan very well for future classes. Students are showing a big potential of good performance in future. Parents are so co-operative and the entire community has welcomed us well in the area. We hope to do the best."

What a fabulous first month at SSVC - We look forward to to keeping you up to date with everything that is going on!

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2-2-2015, Classes Begin At SSCV

Monday 2nd of February 2015 will certainly go down in the history book as an important day for Suubi Secondary and Vocational College; the day when the first group of students began classes! It has been a thrilling ride over the last 8 months as everyone excitedly watched the classrooms and biogas latrines being constructed, but now we are embarking on the next giant step forward at SSVC.

The inaugural 50 senior one students will spend the first week settling in and making the adjustment from primary to secondary education. This is an exciting and challenging time in every child's education but for children from remote, rural Uganda, who may have thought they would never have an opportunity to attend secondary school, it is almost unbelievable to be starting their secondary education at SSVC in their village!

Navuga Maria showed her enthusiasm by being the very first student to arrive at SSVC on Monday morning.

Head teacher, Robert Walugembe and his deputy, Lydia Nabadda were also in their office bright and early to make final preparations for classes to begin.

Students were excited to finally be seated in Zadini's class on their very first day of secondary college.

They busily took notes about how everything will run at SSVC this year.

Once orientation week is complete both the students and our enthusiastic staff are keen to get stuck into the many academic and vocational subjects that will be taught throughout the year. In the not to distant future, students will also be guided to set up their own home based projects. Small initiatives, such as raising local chickens at home to sell their eggs, will be set up by each student and their family. The project will become part of the students day to day learning and families will meet regularly at the school so they can be guided and learn from each others experiences. As well as this, the school will work with the students and their families to help them find a market for what they produce - selling as a group, rather than individually will give them a greater chance of succeeding. On an ongoing basis, these home based projects will create an income that will make it possible for the families to pay their school fees.

The enthusiastic teaching staff who will be the guiding light for Suubi students:

(L-R) Robert Walugembe - Head Teacher, Samuel Kyalubimba - Computer Teacher, Deogratious Tinjebwa - Biology /Agriculture, Ssemwogerere David - Suubi Centre Director, Kasosi Emanuel - Suubi Clinic staff member, Richard Ssebadhuka - Chemistry/physics, Nabadda Lydia Luganda/Chrisitian Religious studies and Deputy Headteacher, Ssamula Moses Mathmatics Teacher.

As we said at the start of this post, this is just the beginning of a very exciting journey ahead for Suubi Secondary & Vocational College. We will have lots more photos coming shortly as students and teachers settle in so please remember to check in regularly to see what is happening.

A huge thank you goes out to each and everyone who has helped to get us to this point. It is truly amazing what can be achieved when so many people work together! Webale nnyo, nnyo, nnyo!

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24-12-2014, Celebration Church Service

Christmas eve was once again a significant event for everyone associated with Suubi Centre. In past years, December 24th has seen the 'commencement' of construction; both the training hall in 2008 and the Suubi Clinic in 2010 began on this very special date.

However this year, many people from the village gathered for a special church service to celebrate the first stage of the new Suubi Secondary & Vocational College nearing 'completion.' With construction having began on May 15th, many people in the district had watched in amazement as the structures steadily appeared before their eyes. It was very exciting for everyone to now physically be able to tour around the four classrooms, administration area, water tank and biogas pit latrines.

With many people in attendance Suubi Centre director, Ssemwogerere David, took the opportunity to explain how the school will offer a holistic approach to learning; one that differs considerable to the usual Ugandan education and will encourage the whole family to be involved in home-based livelihood projects to support the students. This saw a number of enthusiastic families apply for their children to be among the first 50 senior one students who will become the inaugural class of 2015.

Ssemwogerere David spoke to the large number of people who had gathered in one of the class rooms for the celebration service.

Father Kaggwa Joseph, who conducted the service, blessed each of the classrooms and prayed for continued success for the new school.

Many families, who may have students attending the college in the future, took the opportunity to tour around the facilities and submit applications for 2015.

What a wonderful way to finish off 2014 - we look forward with excitement to what 2015 will hold for SSCV!

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13-12-2014, Finishing Touches Take Us Another Step Closer

With the crazy Christmas rush and the year end looming in everyone's mind, it is like a breath of fresh air to take time to enjoy look at something so inspiring; the finishing touches being put on the first classroom block at SSVC.

The painting that has been going on over the last couple of weeks has certainly made the building an even more impressive sight. Everything feels so much brighter and the classrooms certainly look an inviting learning space...especially when you think of the current standard of other schools in Uganda.

The exterior painting of the classroom block has made the already impressive school structure an even more awe inspiring sight.

Everyone in Lubanda is thrilled to be able see the magnificent building sitting high on the hill overlooking the village.

Ceilings and walls being painted has certainly brightened up the interior of classrooms.

And the blackboard being added definitely makes it feel another step closer to students moving in - how exciting!

With the school buildings nearing completions and the inaugural 50 students set to start at SSVC in February 2015 we have had lots of people asking how they can continue to be involved; many have suggested sponsoring one of the students on an ongoing basis. Although we are enormously grateful for this offer, this is not a path we wish to take. We truly believe that ongoing support of an individual simply teaches them to continually put out their hand for help. Instead, as has alway been the case with all of our projects, we want to empower the people to help themselves; we are keen for the students and their families to create their own home based projects that will enable them to pay for their own education.

Having said that, most Ugandan families simply do not have even a small amount of spare money to start an income producing project. With this in mind, we plan to loan each of the students families 50,000 UGX (approx $25) at the start of the school year. This will enable them to start a small project, such as raising local chickens to sell their eggs. The project will become part of the students day to day learning and families will meet regularly at the school so they can be guided and learn from each others experiences. As well as this, the school will work with the students and their families to help them find a market for what they produce - selling as a group, rather than individually will give them a greater chance of succeeding. On an ongoing basis, these home based projects will create an income that will make it possible for the families to pay their school fees for themselves. Perfect! (Please note: students will also be required to repay their initial loan once they are producing an income. This can then be used to help future students get started.)

How You Can Help
We also know that at this time of year, in the lead up to Christmas, many people are looking for gifts that have some true meaning, or you may be one of those people who want to help on an ongoing basis. Here are couple of ways you might like to be involved:

Be one of 50 people we are looking for to donate $25 each to kickstart a students home based project.
Make a regular donation that can be directed towards a teachers wage or future construction/supplies/etc. This will benefit many people, rather than just an individual, as is the case if you sponsor a child.

If supporting SSVC is part of your Christmas giving, we can send you a full size HUG certificate to print, that tells your loved one what has been purchased on their behalf and a voucher that entitles them to 12months of free HUGs from you! The wonderful thing is, your gift will continue to give for years to come.

To find out more, check out our Suubi Secondary & Vocational College brochure or you can simply head to our Donation Page to get behind SSCV and next years inaugural students. Or if you have any questions or other ideas about ways you might like to be involved, please contact Helen Brown in Australia or Ssemwogerere David in Uganda.

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20-11-2014, Verandah Complete, Painting Begins

One of the last step of construction; the verandah and skirting surrounding the entire classroom block at SSVC have recently been completed. This has seen the builders make way for the painters to come in. It has definitely made the site feel far less like a construction zone and we are really starting to see what the finished school is going to look like. Very exciting!

With the concrete recently poured, for the verandah at the front of the classrooms, it is now much easier to walk from one end of the building to the other.

The skirting continues all the way around the entire structure.

Steps have been formed at the front entrance and on the higher side of the site to allow easy and safe entry to all classrooms.

The front of the site has been cleared of construction materials and we can now clearly see what an impressive structure the students and teachers will moving in to at the start of 2015.

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2-11-2014, Biogas Lights Up SSVC

There was much excitement at the school today when the biogas light fittings were installed. Although people in the village, surrounding communities, in-fact, people from far and wide had all been watching the construction of the biogas unit and were so keen to learn all about it, it wasn't until the lights were actually switched on that people really believed it would work. It is absolutely amazing to think that the sewage from anyone who visits the SSVC latrines in the future will be helping to power the school!

Installing the special light fittings was the first step, done earlier today.

But it wasn't until this evening when the lights were switched on and could so easily be seen that everyone realised the biogas latrines truly will supply power for SSVC! It is just another of the many things that the people of Lubanda would never have dreamed they would see in the village.

Check out our biogas photo album that shows each step along the way; from digging the pit right through to the lights being switched on.

Other areas of the building have continued to forge ahead since our last blog post too. Interiors of all the rooms are now close to complete after the red oxide layer was recently added to the floors. With ceiling, walls and floors in all rooms complete the painters will soon be moving in to put on the finish touches.

Red oxide added to the floors of each room is one of the last jobs to be done before the painters move in.

While outside, the exterior walls have now all been rendered and the front verandah and steps leading up to the building are well under way.

With all outside walls now rendered the building looks far stronger and once again another step closer to completion.

Steps leading up to the building will also continue around the entire structure. This will help to strengthen the foundations, to protect it from rain and will also make it possible for people to walk under the eve line when it is wet.

The annual Suubi schools' music, dance and drama festival is set to be staged at the SSVC site on Thursday November 6th. There are sure to be large numbers of parents, teachers and community members, not only coming to watch the wonderful performances, but also to check out the new facilities and hear all about how the school will be run in future. Government officials from Lwengo District, opinion leaders from the community and residents of Kisekka Sub County and Lwengo District have all been invited to attend this event. It promises to be a huge day; one that will allow us to showcase everything that SSVC will offer. The day’s theme will be, “Vocational and formal education can go hand in hand for self-reliance”, which fits perfectly with our philosophy.

A contingent of journalists recently visited Suubi to film and tour around the Centre and the new school site. They will be instrumental in helping us to get the word out about the school and everything Suubi has on offer.

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19-10-2014, Work Moves To Outside

After more than a month of hard work, completing the interiors of classrooms at SSVC, it was very exciting to have the building team recently move back outside. Installing the ceilings, rendering walls, making cornice and creating concrete floors, in each of the five rooms, had been a time consuming job.

The ceilings in each of the rooms firstly needed to be completed and given time to dry, before the mud brick walls could be rendered to create a smooth surface.

Cornice was then formed between the walls and the ceiling.

And finally the recently compacted dirt floors were then covered with a mix of cement and stones to form the concrete slab.

While all of this was going on inside, a separate team was busy outside finalising the installation of the all important school water tank. With the roof of the structure being so large, we want to take full advantage of being able to collect water to be used for drinking, cooking and in the school garden.

Facia boards needed to be painted in preparation for guttering to be installed.

Instead of the locally made metal gutters, which often leak, it was decided that to use preformed polythene guttering to make sure we catch all of the precious water that will be avaliable from the large roofing area.

A concrete base was built,

before the tank was put in to place. Having the tank close to classrooms will mean the students and teachers will always have easy access to water, something that is not always the case in Ugandan schools!

Over the last week the rendering boys have also moved outside. The exterior walls no longer look like a mud brick structure; the building really is getting closer and closer to being finished.

Covering the mud bricks has certainly made the structure look like we are getting closer to completion.

In the not to distant future the builders will be making way for painters and the fit out team inside - Make sure to check back in to see this very exciting next step!

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23-9-2014, All Sytems Go.

The last month at the school site has seen all systems go on many different fronts.

There has been much activity going on at the bio-gas toilet block. Loads of cow dung have been put into the unit to help start the gas producing process. Obviously the sewage from the toilets will eventually produce the gas, but as we want it to be making electricity right from when the school initially opens, the cow dung is needed to kick start the process.

This large pile of cow dung was put into the top of the bio-gas chamber to start the gas producing process.

Water was added at the same time to help brake down the cow dung more quickly.

The bio-gas unit is certainly creating a lot of interest. Locals are watching the progress on a daily basis, but it is wonderful to see groups like Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development visiting from Kampala to have the new technology explained to them. From even further afield, we recently had the International Co-operation Officer of the South Korean Government, Mr. Missionary Philip-Ko, come to check it out too. Mr Ko was keen to discuss how they may be able to incorporate bio-gas into some of the projects currently being supported by the South Korean government in Uganda.

Check out UCSD's Facebook page to see more photos of their visit.

Mr Ko and his team were keen to learn all about the bio-gas unit at SSVC.

With the cow dung part of the job complete, the next step was to lay pipes between the toilet block and the main school structure so that the gas can reach the classrooms to power the lights.

A long length of pipe was required to make sure it would reach between the two structures.

This was then laid into a trench that had been dug between the bio-gas unit and the classrooms.

Once the pipe had reached the front of the main structure, another line was run into each of the five classrooms

which was then fitted out so the gas will be able to power the light fittings and power points that will be used for computers etc.

A main stream electricity supply has also been installed as a back up, and for times when the bio-gas supply my fall short.

And while all this action has been going on with the sorting out the power supply, another important part of the building; the windows, have recently been installed. They were made by a local steel fabrication business in Kalegro, a nearby village. To produce this many windows, to the excellent standard that they have, is something that the welding boys should be enormously proud of. Hopefully this will lead to more work for them as people realise that high quality workmanship is not only available from the bigger towns.

The beautifully designed windows were all produced in one of the nearby villages, by local tradesmen.

Once on site at the school, the team set to work to install four windows in each of the five rooms.

The completed windows add to the already impressive look of the classroom block.

Work is also now moving ahead on the floor of the classrooms. A heavy weight roller was hired from Masaka Town to compact the soil before the concrete is laid to form the floors. This will certainly help to prevent cracking of the slab, which is often a problem on larger scale concrete flooring in Uganda.

Compacting the soil will provide a much more stable base for the concrete to poured on.

As well as all the exciting things above, the water tank has also recently been built on site and guttering is in the process of being installed. The tank will soon be put in place to take advantage of the rainy season.

Our tank building expert Kakinda, who has supplied us with many tanks for our partner schools, has been busy on site constructing the water tank for SSVC.

So as you can see the building is moving along in leaps and bounds. Electricity, windows, flooring and water are all being taken care of. BUT, good quality structures are only part of what will help to make Suubi Secondary & Vocational College the success we want it to be. Another hugely important step has recently began - interviews for potential staff. It is vitally important that we find passionate, enthusiastic teachers that will be the guiding light for our students.

The selection panel listened intently as one of the applicants explained what skills and qualities he can bring to the school.

How exciting! And there is still lots more to come so remember to check back in again soon.

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21-8-2014, Roofing Complete, Interior Work Has Started

The last three weeks of work has been slower going as the roofing team worked meticulously to ensure they did a perfect job. Since finishing, many people, from both within Lubanda Village and those visiting for various events, have commented on what a fabulous job they have done. In fact, the team has now been offered other work around the district. What a fabulous reward for all the hard work they have put in!

The front half the structure required a lot of careful measuring and cutting so the iron sheets would fit perfectly around the entrance.

Paul and Samuel worked tirelessly together on the roof,

while Jude and others did the cutting and reloading of the nails down on the ground. No nail bags here though - a banana leaf, wrapped in the perfect way, was expertly loaded and hung around the boys neck so nails were in easy reach!

Once the back of the structure was complete,

the ridging was the last thing to go on. Paul and Samuel were quite a sight, perched up on top of the roof.

With the outside structure complete, the timber soon began to arrive so the interior ceilings could begin.

A temporary platform has been built in each of the classroom so the builders can easily reach and install the ceiling joists.

Once again the team has split in half; some working down on the platform while others worked high up in the ceiling.

With just two more rooms to complete the ceiling joists in, the pouring of the ceiling (which is made from concrete) will begin next Monday. Every step is another step closer!

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Suubi Secondary School Blog

14-3-2015, SSVC Showcased At Graduation Party

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20-2-2015, Home Based Projects Kick Off

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2-2-2015, Classes Begin At SSCV

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24-12-2014, Celebration Church Service

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13-12-2014, Finishing Touches Take Us Another Step Closer

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20-11-2014, Verandah Complete, Painting Begins

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2-11-2014, Biogas Lights Up SSVC

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19-10-2014, Work Moves To Outside

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23-9-2014, All Sytems Go.

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21-8-2014, Roofing Complete, Interior Work Has Started

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