ROCK OF JOY CHILDREN'S CENTRE A Place of Hope Ro c k o f J o y C hi l d r e n ' s C e n t r e is a nurs ery a nd prima ry sch o o l e s ta b l i she d b y P a st o r S t eve Kimb o wa in Lungujja a very po o r s u b u r b o f K am p a l a t h e ca pit a l o f U ga nda is t he ma in fo c u s f o r o u r su p p o r t . W e k no w t ha t provid ing a n edu c a tio n fo r a c hi l d l i vi n g i n po vert y g ives t hem hope f o r the fu tu re a n d so t he sc ho o l ha s become a P la ce o f H o pe for o ver 3 00 c hi l d r e n f r o m c ha lleng ing ho me s it ua t io ns . As T h e Ka b a nd a Tr u st c e l e b r at es 10 yea rs a s a reg is t ered ch a rity w e r e f l e c t u p o n t he g if t of hope t ha t ha s been pro v id e d fo r c hi l d r e n w ho p r e vio us ly ha d no a cces s t o e d u c a t io n o r hea lt hca re.
Based at Trentham Mews Medical Centre, The Kabanda Trust has relied on the generous support of the local community as well as from others from all over the country to enable us to help and develop the work at Rock of Joy. We cannot thank our supporters enough for their continued enthusiastic support. Our aim is to improve the lives of children living in poverty in Uganda by tackling the barriers to health and education. We hope this booklet will inspire and encourage you as you see how your support over the years has helped transform the lives of children at Rock of Joy.
THE GIFT OF HEALTH Our health project employs a School Nurse who provides free healthcare for the children and school staff. As well as health education the nurse has introduced an immunisation program and supports children and families who are HIV+ to lessen the impact of HIV/AIDs on their lives. Malaria remains a major cause of illness in Uganda but can be reduced greatly by the use of a mosquito net.
Over the last 10 years donations from individuals and organisations have provided over 1000 mosquito nets which cost ÂŁ5 each. The children love helping when bundles of nets are delivered. The nets are used in the boarding houses at Rock of Joy and are given to the school staff. We also provide subsidised nets for families who are educated in their use. The dedicated work of the School Nurse and the use of mosquito nets and have had an obvious positive impact on the health of the children attending the school.
JONATHAN’S STORY Jonathan an orphan, cared for by his elderly grandmother had Learning Disabilities and life at home was difficult, food was limited and he usually came to school hungry. On two separate occasions he suffered a broken arm at home for which the School Nurse took him to the hospital. His injuries healed during periods of respite care in the school Boarding House. Sadly last year during the school holidays Jonathan died from Malaria. He was visiting family who did not have a mosquito net and could not afford medical treatment for him. He loved going to school and chose his class according to which friend he wanted to be with. Despite being unable to sit through a lesson he became an important member of the school community ringing the bell for lessons and fetching water. The support and friendship he received at the school transformed the last few years of his life.
A SAFE HAVEN Over the last 10 years we have established two Boarding Houses for girls and boys making it possible for them to live for free at ROJ during term time. Not a luxury, these houses provide a safe haven for children from the most challenging home situations. Most have lost at least one parent; others have parents who are sick and unable to care for them. Living at school allows them to continue their education when their home situations would make that impossible.
EDWARD’S STORY In 2006 Edward was extremely ill and appeared to be dying. His parents had both died of AIDs related illness. Diagnosed with TB in his spine he moved into the boarding house. He was fitted with a brace to help the back deformity he had developed. His health improved and he was able to continue his education. Now in 2017 he is transformed from a very sick child with no hope to a lively, confident, 17 year old who is studying for A levels. A blood test in 2006 cost £3 and possibly saved his life! We are excited to see what the future holds for him.
2006
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS When we began to support the school it was housed in flimsy wooden structures which were noisy, hot during the summer and wet during the rainy season. The classrooms had dirt floors and children knelt on the floor to work. The Uganda government now insists that schools should have permanent classrooms and so in 2013 we began to raise money to construct brick built classrooms to ensure the future of the school.
2006
20 06
2013
BUILDING A FUTURE
2016
In 2014 we were able to fund the construction of the first block of permanent classrooms for the primary section of the school. Since then a second block has been completed which provides six new classrooms which are now in use. The children love to learn and are very happy with the comfortable spacious areas that they now have to study in. We are now under pressure from the Uganda authorities to provide separate accommodation for the Early Years and so our next challenge is to build permanent Nursery facilities.
2017
THE GIFT OF EDUCATION The majority of children attend the school for free and are provided with all that they need for their schooling. From stocking a library with reference books to fit with their curriculum to desks and chairs, everything that is needed for the classrooms is provided by The Kabanda Trust made possible through the donations of our generous supporters.
WORN WITH PRIDE Each child is provided with a school uniform when they start at Rock of Joy. For children whose daily life is a struggle against poverty and who have very little clothes of their own, a school uniform can provide a sense of pride and belonging to their school community. It is a very special gift.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT A child who is hungry will struggle to learn. At Rock of Joy many come to school hungry so it is vital that they receive a meal each day. At break time they have a drink of maize porridge and for some, the posho (Maize flour) and beans they have for lunch is their only meal each day. For the last 10 years providing a school meal has been the simplest and most important thing that we can do to support the physical needs of the children.
SAFE WATER Access to clean safe water is a challenge to communities living in extreme poverty. Close to the school young children are responsible for collecting water from a communal well which is not safe to drink. Through the generous donations from a Rotary Club and a church we have been able to help them install a fresh water well within the school grounds which provides clean water for the school and relieves the children of a heavy task.
EARLY YEARS At the start of each new school year in February there is an intake of 30 children into the Nursery. The children are given free uniforms, health checks and vaccinations. Over the years we have focused our attention on supporting the Early Years staff to develop the type of learning experience that they offer. This has needed an ongoing supply of basic materials and equipment. The benefits of this are now being seen as children progress through the school.
ROCK STARS In December 2010 our first class graduated having completed their end of primary school exams. We have introduced a sponsorship scheme to provide Secondary Education of 5 Rock of Joy students each year. We now have 25 young people, known as Rock Stars, enjoying a secondary education that they would not otherwise be able to access without the generosity and commitment of a number of individuals.
COMMUNITY FUND UK Trustees have visited Uganda and witnessed the challenging conditions many of the children come from and the effects of living in extreme poverty. The School Nurse and the Headteacher of ROJ have visited homes and identified families who need support and in response we have established a Community Fund. This has benefitted many families providing support that ranges from food parcels to emergency healthcare as well as loans for setting up small businesses and rebuilding collapsed and flooded homes.
STEPS TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY As the school has grown and employed more teachers funding their salaries has become a challenge. Thanks to generous donations from individuals, schools and other organisations Rock of Joy now runs four mini buses. These serve as part of Kampala's public transport system and provide a daily income which covers the cost of school staff. Our buses are vitally important to the future of the school as they work towards a degree of self sufficiency.
CELEBRATE SUCCESS & MAKE A DIFFERENCE To donate £10 to The Kabanda Trust text “KABA10 £10” to 70700 or go to www.justgiving.com/thekabandatrust For more information or if you would like to become a regular supporter email kabandatrustweb@gmail.com
Trentham Mews Medical Centre Eastwick Crescent Trentham, ST4 8XP thekabandatrustweb@gmail.com Charity Reg. Number: 1115939
Trustees: Joanne McGuinness, Paul McGuinness, Jane Parker, Gordon Thomas, Sue Thomas, Richard Woollacott