Uganda Lteracy Project is underway
I recently received an e-mail from Rotarian Joseph Matovu of RC Mityana Uganda with an update on the Auto-Skill Literacy program we started with a grant from Rotary International. Joseph's letter follows and you can find pictures at our Picasa Album
Our autoskill project at Maranatha School, Mizigo Uganda is on course. All the equipment has been installed including the five computers, a new telephone line, and other internet accessories. We have also installed high speed broadband internet with equipment supplied by Uganda Telecom Ltd. All the equipment is working properly. Unfortunately, the computers offered by the school could not support the programme because they were very old. We therefore effectively have five computers to be shared among 40 pupils and six trainners. Three of the trainners are teachers from the host school and three are Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Mityana.
The trainners include;
Rtn Joseph K Matovu (Myself) , Rtn Samuel Kisubi and Rtn Hawa Namusoke.
The school teachers include Mr. Osako Enoch, Mr. Bihunirwa Simon and Ms. Cathy Walusimbi
One of the computers is acting as our server station and communicates fully with the other four. We have a technician on call and Uganda Telecom personnel have promised to assist in case of a major breakdown
The teachers have so far completed training in Microsoft programmes and currently one has completed the placement test.
We intend to complete the training aspect of the teachers on the autoskill programme by the end of this month.
The school children are starting the new school term on Monday 25th May 2009.
We intend to work with 40 children on the auto skill programme for atleast six months. The children also have to learn how to use the computers as their introductory package. This should take us between three to four weeks. But since their teachers are now familiar with the basic computer skills, we do not foresee major difficulties.
I will shortly get in touch with Peter Cleary so we can transfer the trainning fees for the children to the autoskill international account. The training fees for the 40 school children will be USD$3200 dollars. The training fees for the six trainners would be USD$480 but Woodstock Rotary club has already paid for five trainners hence we are only to remit eighty dollars for one extra trainne teacher bringing the total training fees to USD$3280.
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Mityana and the Maranatha School community accept our sincere thanks for all the assistance you are rendering to ensure that our children are well equipment for the journey ahead.
I will keep you posted on our progress as we go along.
PP. Joseph K Matovu
RC Mityana