Rotary District Grant - Bumatofu School, Uganda and Whitchurch Primary School Cardiff

ROTARY DISTRICT GRANT AWARDED FOR AN INTERNATIONAL/ EDUCATIONAL PROJECT BETWEEN BUMATOFU SCHOOL, UGANDA AND WHITCHURCH PRIMARY SCHOOL, CARDIFF

The Rotary Club of Cardiff Breakfast (RCCB) has over the years formed a strong link with PONT, a registered charity partnering Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) in Wales with the Mbale region of Uganda. Mbale-CAP, a charity based in Uganda, provides the management support for projects carried out by PONT, which has an educational arm that has helped over 100 schools in Wales to link up with schools in Uganda.

A meeting was held between Pont and RCCB to discuss the application for a District Grant for the purchase and installation of a solar panel and mounting frame, cabling and a second lap top with 2 Microsoft licenses to complete a project to provide lighting and socket power supply to all rooms in Bumatofu primary school in Mbale.

Now completed the project has transformed the school by ensuring adequate lighting for all rooms not only throughout the daytime school hours, which previously were often curtailed due to poor ambient light but, also enabling it to remain open longer to take advantage for example of homework clubs. The lap top and sockets enable the use of internet connection and access by pupils and teachers to a much wider range of educational material. As Bumatofu school is the hub of the community, the provision of electric lighting and socket power sources enables other social groups such as health care staff, community groups and villagers from the surrounding area to access facilities at the school during the day and evening. As a ‘spin off’, income is generated from a small fee paid by the villagers to charge their mobile phones; this money in turn is used to pay general maintenance costs.

Pont’s educational team gave a presentation to Whitchurch Primary School’s Rotakids’ club in November 2022. Following that meeting the Rotakids decided that they wanted to get involved in this project, which will benefit pupils in both Bumatofu and Whitchurch Primary schools. By using the Internet they can share and discuss educational material, global issues including climate change, the environment, the economy and health.

The Rotakids decided to raise money for the Bumatofu school at the PTA’s Christmas Fair held on 25^th November2022. They raised £414.95 and a cheque was presented to staff from PONT at a meeting on 5^th December 2022. The money was taken to Bumatofu school during PONT’s visit on 5^th March 2023.

The Bumatofu pupils and Head teacher decided to use this money to purchase ‘crocs ‘ as they are versatile and can be worn during the dry and wet seasons, geometry sets, exercise books, pencils and pens . It is hoped that any money left over could pay for a trip to the Wildlife Education Centre.

During PONT’s visit to the school a video link was set up with Whitchurch Primary School pupils. This was a significant event in the

entire PONT programme as it was the first time this had been attempted between partner schools. Previously contact had been via

email and letters. It was a great success and was much appreciated by the staff and children in both schools. It is hoped that the

schools will be able to repeat these face-to-face meetings on a regular basis. The picture below shows pupils at Bumatofu using the

laptop at the school for the first time.

RCCB has operated a Rotakids club at Whitchurch Primary School since 2015. Since inception the Rotakids have supported a number of International projects. However, this is the first time that they have linked up to a school in another country. The Rotakids have learnt the benefits of team working, identifying individual skills, handling money and, last but not least the importance of project ownership from start to finish. They hope to share these skills with pupils at the Bumatofu School and also learn new skills from the Ugandan children.