Projects in progress
Coffee plantations to protect the orphans land inheritance
New classrooms for the nursery school
Additional classrooms for the Gables
Water heaters for the Rondavels Guest House
(Click on images to see larger version)
Coffee plantations to protect the orphans land inheritance
The problem: Pressure on food production is so high for poor subsistence farmers, that some orphans are being dispossessed of their inherited land. When the orphan is unable to make productive use of the land it becomes vulnerable to take over by extended family members. By planting and working the land the family claim title to that land, and so dispossess the rightful owner.
The solution: To enable the orphans to make productive use of their land.
The vision: To provide 50 coffee plant saplings to each such orphan, help them to plant their land, and teach them to look after and harvest the coffee during school holidays (coffee does not need much tending).
With enough orphans involved the school could run a consortium to prepare the coffee for market. This would create an income for the orphans.
As the agricultural training facilities are developed at Gables, the vocational centre could support a nursery to grow the saplings, making additional income for Gables, while the plantations could provide practical experience for the student.
The progress: Two orphans began to pilot this vision in 2008 and have their land planted. Funding is now sought for the remaining orphans. It costs about 10 pounds for the 50 coffee saplings needed for each orphan.
To contribute: Send a letter to Judy Cave enclosing a cheque payable to Rukungiri Orphan Partnership.
New classrooms for the nursery school
The problem: There are over two hundred nursery school children sharing just two classrooms at Rukungiri Modern Pre-primary School. The ambitious plans which include four classrooms on the ground floor and dormitory facilities on the first floor are well underway thanks to the amazing support of Mission Direct.
The solution: The plans for the building include a further two classrooms, one of which is being built. The fourth will need to wait while reclaimed land settles. With four classrooms the school will have adequate provision for the children.
The vision: Is to create an environment in which the nursery school children can thrive. Reducing class sizes and increasing staffing ratios are two key elements of this vision.
The progress: Classroom3 is already being built following a generous donation from a single sponsor. The land on which classroom 4 will be built is on land that has been brought up to level, and so needs to settle first.
To contribute: You can contribute to this project by helping fund the ongoing salary of a nursery school teacher, which costs about £100 a month.
Additional classrooms for the Gables
The problem: The Gables vocational training centre, as with everything that happens at the schools, it is a ‘victim of its own success’. There are so many new training opportunities that the centre has run out of classrooms. Some dormitories are being used to double-up as classrooms during the day.
The solution: Either to reduce the scope of Gables, or to increase its capacity. Given these two options only one is acceptable! While practical exercises need large workshops, much of the teaching can be done in smaller teaching rooms.
A storage building, close to the brick-laying area, with roof and no walls is to be re-commissioned for teaching rooms.
The vision: Is to ensure that Gables develops to meet the training needs of the teenagers who will need to go out and make a living. New possibilities are to train people in agriculture and fish-farming. These skills need land and teaching rooms but not workshops. Other skills to be developed include plumbing and electrical engineering, which will need workshops as well as teaching rooms.
The progress: Bricks are being acquired to build outside and partition walls for the new teaching rooms. The woodwork and metalwork shops will produce the furniture, doors and window-frames for the building, while the apprentice bricklayers will build the walls.
To contribute: Funds are needed to support this project, also people who are able to teach-the teachers plumbing and electrical skills.
Water heaters for the Rondavels
Guest House
The problem: Twice each day, water has to be fetched, heater, and carried to each room in the guest house by bucket. The guest house rooms have plumed-in showers and, sinks and toilets, but until recently no running hot water.
The solution: To provide water-heaters for the rooms in the guest house.
The vision: The vision is for the work at the schools to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on overseas charity. Rondavels Hotel sees itself as being able to provide basic hotel-style accommodation for its guests, so that it can earn revenue from conferences, weddings and tourism.
Up untill now the guest house has provided mainly for the teams of volunteers who come to help at the school, and who fund the costs of the accommodation but do not provide additional revenue to support the schools.
The progress: Water heaters have been acquired and installed in several of the rooms.
To contribute: Plumbing and electrical skills are always welcome, and may be used to help train staff at the vocational school too!