A THANK YOU TO SOME OF NEWEST SUPPORTERS - THE PICTURES SAY IT ALL

The first 2 pictures below show our students opening School Kits sent by children from Hillcrest Academy, of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Thanks HILLCREST!!

TERRY McEACHERAN ADDS TO THE BLOG

March 23, 2008

Last week I returned from Uganda after an unforgettable experience. I learned a great deal about an African country I had not visited before and about myself. Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, Howard was there to meet me and take me to Kampala where we were staying, and where the Namuwongo Literacy Project is located. After a tour around the neighbourhood where the children live, I was ready to get to work.

Since my professional background had been in language and literacy, Judy asked me to assess the literacy level of each of the children at the school. For the next few weeks, I did just that working with two children per day. In addition, I decided to take the top group of achievers aside and work with them for about an hour a day. I grew to love these bright and ambitious children. I think that even in a few weeks their comfort level in using English improved. It was indeed a privilege to spend time with these children.

OUR NEW STUDENTS

The Namuwongo Literacy Project has achieved tremendous success in the short time we have been in operation. Our students are thriving in their educational enviornment. In fact, some of our students (6) have been sponsored for 'real' school. Reports from their new schools have indicated that our former students entered their new school close to the top of their grade level and continue to earn top results. Congratulations to our Ugandan teachers and dedicated volunteers! 4 of our children have moved, with their care-givers, to new homes and a better enviornment.

This has meant that upon my arrival in Uganda, we had openings for 10 new students.

Sophia, one of the women who takes part in the life-skills program at the In-Need Home and a resident of Namuwongo took me into the shantytown to the shelters/homes where she knew children lived who were not attending school. Moreover, these orphans were all in great need!

PEN PAL LETTER

Before leaving for Uganda, Connie Dorfman, a teacher at Crestview Elementary School (part of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board in Laval, Quebec), requested that her students become Pen Pals with our children at the Namuwongo Literacy Project. I eagerly accepted her offer! Her students sent personal letters, along with their personal photos. Lillian and Rona, our Ugandan teachers paired the Crestview students with a Ugandan student. All the pen Pal letter were read, after which the Namuwongo Literacy Project students wrote a reply. I photographed each of our students so that there Pen Pals in Laval, Quebec could see what they looked like. The program was a great 'hit'.

WHAT A WELCOME BACK!

After 7 months, I returned to Namuwongo, receiving a welcome that would rival any 'rock star'. As soon as my taxi arrived at the gate to the entrance of the In-Need Home, it was immediately surrounded by a throng of smiling, laughing, cheering and clapping children. "Teacher Howard!....Teacher Howard!...they chanted as they surrounded my taxi, all wanting to hold my hand or just touch me. I was truly over-whelmed and tremendously 'touched' by their apparent joy that I actually returned. I was seated in the chair of honor in our out-door classroom. I was serenaded by some of the songs that I had taught the group during my last visit.

It was then my pleasure to hand out Valentine treats sent for all the children by Tania Ovens, a volunteer teacher who spent last summer with the children in Namuwongo.