Trip to Uganda
Posted by Brenda Reiber
In 2007 our Rotary Club of Innisfail embarked on a new journey. We voted to undertake an International Project in a developing country. A project called "Adopt a Village". We went to Bulalo Village & Kyeera Village near Massaka,
After doing extensive research it was determined that we would take on a project called "Adopt a Village", which was the brainchild of Frank and Kathy Mayhew from California. They had come to one of our luncheon meetings and did a presentation to our club about their work in Uganda. It was a very compelling story.
They sent us a project in Bulalo Village, close to Massaka, Uganda. The project goals were to fight hunger, poverty, improve health and education. Specific areas being addressed were to provide mosquito nets to fight malaria, supply water tanks (as the water source in the village was extremely contaminated), agricultural management in supplying pigs, chicken, heifers. As well as, a full range of training in better farm practices to enhance crops and production in animals. We also provided cook stoves that were more efficient and environmentally friendly and solar lighting for the school.
The village has approximately 1400 residents. There is no running water and no electricity. A farmer may have an acre of land to farm. The homes are very small and have very little if any furnishings. Malaria is a major problem as are water born diseases. Very few children are educated past elementary school, as it is too expensive for most families and access is too far away.
School classrooms are stark and bare. There are no text books for the students. The outside of the school buildings have drawings of the anatomy, parts of a flower and other educational drawings, as there in no other space to use. The children are dressed in school uniforms, they are very disciplined and polite. They are eager to learn and full of curiosity.
They sent us a project in Bulalo Village, close to Massaka, Uganda. The project goals were to fight hunger, poverty, improve health and education. Specific areas being addressed were to provide mosquito nets to fight malaria, supply water tanks (as the water source in the village was extremely contaminated), agricultural management in supplying pigs, chicken, heifers. As well as, a full range of training in better farm practices to enhance crops and production in animals. We also provided cook stoves that were more efficient and environmentally friendly and solar lighting for the school.
The village has approximately 1400 residents. There is no running water and no electricity. A farmer may have an acre of land to farm. The homes are very small and have very little if any furnishings. Malaria is a major problem as are water born diseases. Very few children are educated past elementary school, as it is too expensive for most families and access is too far away.
School classrooms are stark and bare. There are no text books for the students. The outside of the school buildings have drawings of the anatomy, parts of a flower and other educational drawings, as there in no other space to use. The children are dressed in school uniforms, they are very disciplined and polite. They are eager to learn and full of curiosity.
The value of this project was approximately $30,000 in US funds, and the project was completed in 2009.
(This story was told to Brenda Reiber by Jean Barclay, President of the Rotary CLub of Innisfail.)