School 4 All

It's me once more, as well as being busy with our Polio Campaign the other project close to my heart is our School 4 All project in Uganda. I have informed you all that we have a unique opportunity to really put our mark as a District on something immensely worth while and life changing for many. We have the opportunity to make that difference to over 2000 children who desperately need our help. As recently as Saturday I received pictures and information from our grants officer Cath Chorley detailing the requirements of our school Budaka FHP in the Pallisa District of Uganda. The current status is as follows Budaka FHP has 2,252 pupils and 26 teachers, like all of the schools Budaka FHP has poor and inadequate classroom blocks and is in a very poor state of repair. Classrooms are overcrowded having around 100-120 pupils per class with children seated on the floor. This has been one of the barriers witnessed to teaching inclusion of disabled children. Some children trek as long as five kilometres to school as a result of lack of transport facilities. Existing ramps are dangerously erected so much so that injury could be caused by them. Teachers have a lack of understanding about disability issues and inclusive education. Excluded children do not receive any support and therefore do not have access to education at all. Shortly our District International Chairman Ken Paterson will be updating you all as to the requirements. My thanks to all of the clubs that have already sent funds to District Treasurer. I would be grateful for all others committed to this project to send monies to Jim.