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Enrollment at Hope Academy Doubles

18 Mar 2009 00:08 GMT

Published by: Uganda Rural Fund USA, Inc.

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<div><img title="reading.jpg" height="330" alt="reading.jpg" src="http://media.ammado.com/b84b020d-18ec-468d-8d70-f86ba8bee2ab.jpeg" width="337" /> Blog:<a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2furfconnect.blogspot.com%2f" target="_blank">http://urfconnect.blogspot.com/</a></div></div></div>
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<div>The Academy opened in May 2008 with 9 students.</div>Enrollment has doubled from 64 at end of 2008 to over a 125 students</div>at the beginning of 2009 academy year which started on February 02. Boys: 74 and Girls: 51. Teachers: 12. The number of orphan students needing sponsorship also increased. However, if we can get sponsorship for teachers, it allows to accept many orphans even those without sponsorships. Currently, we have many non sponsored orphans we allow to study other than sending them home. </div>

<div>I believe that education is the only way to ensure a brighter future for these kids trapped in poverty and dispair. I personally grew up in poverty in the same villages of Masaka and had little sense of hope 
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<div> – enduring the embarrassment of being turned away from school many times because I had not completed tuition or for not having a uniform, missing an entire semester of school so that the little money we had could allow my older siblings in upper classes finish high school, going through school without having access to books, biking seven miles to school without shoes, I understand how tough life is for these children. I was much older, right after high school, when my father was killed, but life was tough and my hope for a brighter future declined more. But I was resilient and determined to pursue my dreams. It’s because of the education which my parents sacrificed for, that I have been able make great strides in life and achieve my dreams.</div></div></div></div>
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<div>Many other children of rural Uganda, just like me and you, have bigger dreams and hopes for a better future. It is my wish and personal commitment that these children don’t live to see their dreams shattered, but have the opportunity to realize their fullest potential. Education will enable them take charge of their destiny and build their communities. They will be the engines of sustainable development for Uganda and Africa as a whole. Thanks for joining me and URF in the efforts to reduce the pains of struggling through school these kids endure, like I experienced growing up. A bright future for them will unfold a global human family of harmony and peace for us all – may be not for our generation, but the generations of our children and grandchildren.</div>
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<div>The NEED</div>: $950 a month to cover teachers' salaries. $150 a month per full time teacher. Student sponsorship is $300 a year and $100 a trimester (3 trimesters). Any help is appreciated. You can donate online (<a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ugandaruralfund.org%2f" target="_blank"> 
<div>www.ugandaruralfund.org</div></a>) or by check to Uganda Rural Fund at 300 Fraser Purchase Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650. For those on Facebook, you can donate through Causes at <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fapps.facebook.com%2fcauses%2f61226%3fm%3d8c3a5226%26amp%3brecruiter_id%3d6697213" target="_blank">
<div>http://apps.facebook.com/causes/61226?m=8c3a5226&recruiter_id=6697213</div></a></div>

<div><em><strong>Below are personal stories of some of our students at Hope Academy:</strong></em></div>

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<div>Issa Mugerwa, 17, S.2 (Grade 9)</div></strong></div>
<div>"Integrated Academy has tried to help me achieve my goal. 
<p>For two years I was at home without going to school. In our village I had a friend called Oliver, she told me, “between Kyetume and Mbiriizi there is a school which has started to teach students in an after school program. It is called Hope Integrated Academy.”    </p></div>
<div>For me, it was a miracle because I was at home for two years. The next day I came with her and I started to study in the After School Program. Then teacher Fred told us we were going to start a senior secondary school here and he would like all of us who had finished primary to join this school. Oh! I was very excited about that but I had the problem of paying fees. At that time I didn’t know what I could do to join the secondary school.</div>
<div>The day which the school began I came to see teacher Fred for him to tell me whether I was going to join the secondary school. However he wasn’t there, he had gone to Masaka.</div>
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<p>The next day was Tuesday. I came and I saw him and he told me, “Issa, we are trying as hard as we can to look for a sponsor for you but do not be afraid.” At that time I started to feel proud because he had told me that they were trying to look for a sponsor for me.</p>
<p>On Wednesday I came in the morning and met Fred and he told me, “Issa, I have good news for you.” Oh! To hear those words from him I was very happy. Then he told me that I have got a sponsor. My God, I was very excited about that. From that day up to now I’m very happy.</p>
<p>So now, I know that Hope Integrated Academy has already started helping me to achieve my goal. Due to the high standards Hope started with I know that I will continue to graduate correctly under God’s arm.</p>
<p>After I finish, I would like to be a doctor because I’m interested in biology and <span>maths</span>. So now, that is why Hope Integrated Academy has already started to help me to achieve my goal."</p>

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<div>Florence Namirimo, 18, S.2 (Grade 9)</div>  </strong></div></div></div></div>

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<div>"I am 18 years old. I am a student of Hope Integrated Academy. I live in Kyawagonya Village. My family consists of three brothers, two sisters, my mother and my aunt. I live with my aunt. I want to study but my aunt does not have the money to pay for school fees. Because I cannot pay the fees secondary I don’t know if I will be able to complete S4. My mother used to pay for my school fees in primary when she was still working as a fish monger but now she is suffering from AIDS and no longer works. All of my three brothers and two sisters dropped out of school but I want to study and that is why I want to stay in school. Those are my words."</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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<div><strong>Justine Nakyanzi, S.2 (Grade 9)</strong></div></div></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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<div>"I am 14 years old. I am a student at Hope Integrated Academy. My family consists of: both parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. My parents are peasant farmers. They work making local alcohol and can’t afford to pay for school fees. My father is 62 years old and my mother is 46 years old. My elder brothers are 17 and 22 and they do not go to school because they lack money. My younger brother is in P2 at the UPE School. My eldest sister is 19 years old and cannot afford to attend school and my younger sister is 12 and attends P5. I don’t live at home with my family. There was someone who came and said that if I worked for them they will pay my school fees. The problem is that because I have to work so much in exchange for my school fees I cannot stay at school to play games and I have no time to study. Now, they have told me they cannot continue to pay the fees. I want to go back to my family but they have no money."</div></div></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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<div>More stories and pictures of student waiting for sponsorship: <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ugandaruralfund.org%2fsponsor-a-child.htm" target="_blank">
<div>http://www.ugandaruralfund.org/sponsor-a-child.htm</div></a> </div></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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<div><strong>Women Empowerment Program </strong></div></div>
<div>56 women recently received 
<div>seed loans</div>to plant for the season. At  harvest, they return a certain percentage of their produce and these seeds are then passed on to another woman/family in the following season. The programs enable families to grow enough food for consumption and sell off the excess for income to support their children in school. Over 
<div>200 families</div>and a dozen child headed households are benefiting from URF programs through the 
<div>crafts, chickens, piggery projects and weekend workshops</div>. The families represent an area of about 33 villages grouped in zones of 3-4 villages each with women leaders and an executive board to oversee the entire program. This promotes leadership development and entrepreneurial skills among the women. We are planning a micro finance training soon to get our women ready to start receiving small loans to start small ventures. A loan of $100 or $200 can enable a woman to start a small business to support her children. </div>

<div><em><strong>Below is a story of Prossy, one of the women in our empowerment program:</strong></em></div>

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<div>Nakate Prossy, 45, single mother of 7 children:</div></strong>
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<p>Nakate Prossy is 45 and an active member of URF’s Women’s Empowerment Program.Born in 1963, Prossy’s father died when she was 2 years old, so her mother and 3 sisters moved to Kalagala, where she continues to reside.Kalagalla is a small village in the area, just past Kyetume.</p><br />

<div>Prossy’s childhood was rough as they didn’t have a lot of money available.As such, she was unable to finish school due to lack of monry.She was married at 17 and had 7 children raging in age from 8 to 23, however 2 have passed away, and has 4 grandchildren.She has been separated from her husband since 1987 and the family’s income is mainly generated from peasant farming and animal keeping, including cows, pigs, and goats.Prossy has been in a women’s leadership role throughout the community for the last 20 years.</div>
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<div>Prossy states that the main challenge she faces is that, “I am a low income earner with a lot of financial responsibilities, which include taking care of my nine orphaned nieces and nephews.”Her brother and sister-in-law were killed in an accident a few years ago and school fees are hard to come by.</div>
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<div>“URF has really helped me focus on the future,” she says.She also says that the URF Women’s program helps to support women and encourages them to work.She really enjoys how the program inspires the women of the community to better themselves and work together to solve problems and act as a support group for each other.</div>
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<div>Some of the suggestions she has for URF regarding the women’s program are to, “encourage and extend the community outreach programs as people are excited to work with the volunteers.”She also suggests that URF continue to organize more informative conferences encompassing the valuable information that needs to be distributed throughout the rural communities.And finally, she suggests that the women get involved in games and other fun activities to build friendship, bonds, and develop teamwork.</div>
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<div>Prossy’s dreams include seeing her children graduating and obtaining good jobs when they complete their studies.“I am growing older, but I would love nothing more than to develop a sustainable income in order to generate funds for my children, nieces, and nephews school fees.”</div>
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More Stories of Hope can be found at: <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ugandaruralfund.org%2fstories-of-hope.htm" target="_blank">
<div>http://www.ugandaruralfund.org/stories-of-hope.htm</div></a>
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<div><strong>Nazareth Children's Home </strong></div></div>
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<div>The new boys' dormitory is nearly completed. Thanks to our generous supporters in Duxbury, MA and elsewhere. There is now 22 children at the home. Grace, one of the girls from the orphanage completed elementary school and joined Hope Academy to begin her high school education. For pictures: <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ugandaruralfund.org%2fchildrens-home.htm" target="_blank">
<div>http://www.ugandaruralfund.org/childrens-home.htm</div></a> </div></div></div>

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<div><strong>Clinton Global Initiative Conference</strong></div></div>
<div>John Mary and Laura Collins (Villanova U) represented URF at the Clinton Global Initiative in February at the University of Texas at Austin! The conference was organized by the Clinton Foundation under the facilitation of President Clinton. Over 1000 student participants from across the globe made commitments to address national and international needs in five areas: energy and climate change, poverty alleviation, human rights and peace, education and global health. construction for new buildings for dormitories, library, labs, computer center, classrooms, clinics, etc. URF's commitment at CGI was to expand the Hope Academy into vocational training programs. This phase will involve construction for new buildings for dormitories, library, labs, computer center, classrooms, clinics, etc. More at <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2furfconnect.blogspot.com%2f" target="_blank">
<div>http://urfconnect.blogspot.com/</div></a> <br /><br /></div>
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<div><strong>General Updates:</strong></div></div>
<div>New URF office was recently set up in Masaka. A Canadian rotary club has promised funding for a new school van. We currently have 4 volunteers from Canada, 1 from U.S, 1 from Netherlands, and 1 from England. Engineers Without Boarders from University of Minnesota and Virginia will be in Uganda this summer to install underground well and a solar power system for the Academy. And much more at: <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2furfconnect.blogspot.com%2f" target="_blank">
<div>http://urfconnect.blogspot.com/</div></a> </div>

<div>Thanks again and many blessings to you, </div>

Blog:http://urfconnect.blogspot.com/

The Academy opened in May 2008 with 9 students.

Enrollment has doubled from 64 at end of 2008 to over a 125 students

at the beginning of 2009 academy year which started on February 02. Boys: 74 and Girls: 51. Teachers: 12. The number of orphan students needing sponsorship also increased. However, if we can get sponsorship for teachers, it allows to accept many orphans even those without sponsorships. Currently, we have many non sponsored orphans we allow to study other than sending them home.

I believe that education is the only way to ensure a brighter future for these kids trapped in poverty and dispair. I personally grew up in poverty in the same villages of Masaka and had little sense of hope

– enduring the embarrassment of being turned away from school many times because I had not completed tuition or for not having a uniform, missing an entire semester of school so that the little money we had could allow my older siblings in upper classes finish high school, going through school without having access to books, biking seven miles to school without shoes, I understand how tough life is for these children. I was much older, right after high school, when my father was killed, but life was tough and my hope for a brighter future declined more. But I was resilient and determined to pursue my dreams. It’s because of the education which my parents sacrificed for, that I have been able make great strides in life and achieve my dreams.

Many other children of rural Uganda, just like me and you, have bigger dreams and hopes for a better future. It is my wish and personal commitment that these children don’t live to see their dreams shattered, but have the opportunity to realize their fullest potential. Education will enable them take charge of their destiny and build their communities. They will be the engines of sustainable development for Uganda and Africa as a whole. Thanks for joining me and URF in the efforts to reduce the pains of struggling through school these kids endure, like I experienced growing up. A bright future for them will unfold a global human family of harmony and peace for us all – may be not for our generation, but the generations of our children and grandchildren.

The NEED

: $950 a month to cover teachers' salaries. $150 a month per full time teacher. Student sponsorship is $300 a year and $100 a trimester (3 trimesters). Any help is appreciated. You can donate online (

www.ugandaruralfund.org

) or by check to Uganda Rural Fund at 300 Fraser Purchase Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650. For those on Facebook, you can donate through Causes at

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/61226?m=8c3a5226&recruiter_id=6697213

Below are personal stories of some of our students at Hope Academy:

Issa Mugerwa, 17, S.2 (Grade 9)

"Integrated Academy has tried to help me achieve my goal.

For two years I was at home without going to school. In our village I had a friend called Oliver, she told me, “between Kyetume and Mbiriizi there is a school which has started to teach students in an after school program. It is called Hope Integrated Academy.”

For me, it was a miracle because I was at home for two years. The next day I came with her and I started to study in the After School Program. Then teacher Fred told us we were going to start a senior secondary school here and he would like all of us who had finished primary to join this school. Oh! I was very excited about that but I had the problem of paying fees. At that time I didn’t know what I could do to join the secondary school.

The day which the school began I came to see teacher Fred for him to tell me whether I was going to join the secondary school. However he wasn’t there, he had gone to Masaka.

The next day was Tuesday. I came and I saw him and he told me, “Issa, we are trying as hard as we can to look for a sponsor for you but do not be afraid.” At that time I started to feel proud because he had told me that they were trying to look for a sponsor for me.

On Wednesday I came in the morning and met Fred and he told me, “Issa, I have good news for you.” Oh! To hear those words from him I was very happy. Then he told me that I have got a sponsor. My God, I was very excited about that. From that day up to now I’m very happy.

So now, I know that Hope Integrated Academy has already started helping me to achieve my goal. Due to the high standards Hope started with I know that I will continue to graduate correctly under God’s arm.

After I finish, I would like to be a doctor because I’m interested in biology and maths. So now, that is why Hope Integrated Academy has already started to help me to achieve my goal."

Florence Namirimo, 18, S.2 (Grade 9)

"I am 18 years old. I am a student of Hope Integrated Academy. I live in Kyawagonya Village. My family consists of three brothers, two sisters, my mother and my aunt. I live with my aunt. I want to study but my aunt does not have the money to pay for school fees. Because I cannot pay the fees secondary I don’t know if I will be able to complete S4. My mother used to pay for my school fees in primary when she was still working as a fish monger but now she is suffering from AIDS and no longer works. All of my three brothers and two sisters dropped out of school but I want to study and that is why I want to stay in school. Those are my words."

Justine Nakyanzi, S.2 (Grade 9)

"I am 14 years old. I am a student at Hope Integrated Academy. My family consists of: both parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. My parents are peasant farmers. They work making local alcohol and can’t afford to pay for school fees. My father is 62 years old and my mother is 46 years old. My elder brothers are 17 and 22 and they do not go to school because they lack money. My younger brother is in P2 at the UPE School. My eldest sister is 19 years old and cannot afford to attend school and my younger sister is 12 and attends P5. I don’t live at home with my family. There was someone who came and said that if I worked for them they will pay my school fees. The problem is that because I have to work so much in exchange for my school fees I cannot stay at school to play games and I have no time to study. Now, they have told me they cannot continue to pay the fees. I want to go back to my family but they have no money."

More stories and pictures of student waiting for sponsorship:

http://www.ugandaruralfund.org/sponsor-a-child.htm

Women Empowerment Program

56 women recently received

seed loans

to plant for the season. At harvest, they return a certain percentage of their produce and these seeds are then passed on to another woman/family in the following season. The programs enable families to grow enough food for consumption and sell off the excess for income to support their children in school. Over

200 families

and a dozen child headed households are benefiting from URF programs through the

crafts, chickens, piggery projects and weekend workshops

. The families represent an area of about 33 villages grouped in zones of 3-4 villages each with women leaders and an executive board to oversee the entire program. This promotes leadership development and entrepreneurial skills among the women. We are planning a micro finance training soon to get our women ready to start receiving small loans to start small ventures. A loan of $100 or $200 can enable a woman to start a small business to support her children.

Below is a story of Prossy, one of the women in our empowerment program:

Nakate Prossy, 45, single mother of 7 children:

Nakate Prossy is 45 and an active member of URF’s Women’s Empowerment Program.Born in 1963, Prossy’s father died when she was 2 years old, so her mother and 3 sisters moved to Kalagala, where she continues to reside.Kalagalla is a small village in the area, just past Kyetume.

Prossy’s childhood was rough as they didn’t have a lot of money available.As such, she was unable to finish school due to lack of monry.She was married at 17 and had 7 children raging in age from 8 to 23, however 2 have passed away, and has 4 grandchildren.She has been separated from her husband since 1987 and the family’s income is mainly generated from peasant farming and animal keeping, including cows, pigs, and goats.Prossy has been in a women’s leadership role throughout the community for the last 20 years.

Prossy states that the main challenge she faces is that, “I am a low income earner with a lot of financial responsibilities, which include taking care of my nine orphaned nieces and nephews.”Her brother and sister-in-law were killed in an accident a few years ago and school fees are hard to come by.

“URF has really helped me focus on the future,” she says.She also says that the URF Women’s program helps to support women and encourages them to work.She really enjoys how the program inspires the women of the community to better themselves and work together to solve problems and act as a support group for each other.

Some of the suggestions she has for URF regarding the women’s program are to, “encourage and extend the community outreach programs as people are excited to work with the volunteers.”She also suggests that URF continue to organize more informative conferences encompassing the valuable information that needs to be distributed throughout the rural communities.And finally, she suggests that the women get involved in games and other fun activities to build friendship, bonds, and develop teamwork.

Prossy’s dreams include seeing her children graduating and obtaining good jobs when they complete their studies.“I am growing older, but I would love nothing more than to develop a sustainable income in order to generate funds for my children, nieces, and nephews school fees.”

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12 Jun 2011 05:09 GMT Getting orphans and vulnerable kids back into school
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12 Jun 2011 03:09 GMT Medical Clinic opens: taking steps to provide access to health care
12 Jun 2011 02:11 GMT Community visits paving way for a new URF service delivery model

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Enrollment at Hope Academy Doubles

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Uganda Rural Fund USA, Inc. (URF)

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