UPDATE DECEMBER 2009 - Divine Mercy School in Mukono, Uganda

What we knew about Uganda prior to 2007 could pretty much fit on the back of a postage stamp and was limited to “poor African country” followed by ”Idi Amin”. Since committing to helping Divine Mercy and returning every year however we have developed a strong affection and huge respect for the people of this chaotic, vibrant and often brutal part of the world. Despite difficult conditions (life expectancy is just 47) the Ugandans we have come into contact with conduct themselves with a dignity and fortitude that puts most Westerners to shame.

Spending time there is always a roller coaster of highs and lows - in the long run the highs are the lasting memories that far outweigh both the discomforts of the living conditions and minor frustrations with the African way of doing things.

Many of the highs come from the children of the school -Divine Mercy is a primary school of some 160 pupils, about 30% are classified as ‘vulnerable’ which basically means they are unable to pay their fees. Unlike many Western countries education is viewed as a privilege and given the chance these children will work their rear ends off. In other words, while western kids worry about getting into priority gigs, these kids worry about getting to school. Positive changes need to happen and that is what we are trying to do in a small way -- give these children a chance of finishing at least primary school and possibly secondary school as well.

In 2007 with the kind support of many of our friends and family members we funded the construction of a new dorm and classroom, painted the school and filled in the holes in the classroom floors, supplied desks and benches, and most significantly bought sufficient textbooks for all the classes to share at least one between 2 or 3 pupils.

Last year we collected around 4 cubic metres of second hand children’s books in NZ and shipped them out so that the children would have some reading material to help improve their English. (They speak a local dialect mostly but English is the national language and advancement is hugely dependent upon competence in this subject) Despite planning for the books to arrive 3 weeks before we did in September of last year, they actually arrived 10 weeks after we left (that is Africa for you) However it all ended happily as such was the surplus many were distributed to other schools in the area and the benefits to the childrens’ English has been huge. (See the Green Eggs and Ham video on video page)

This coming year 2010, our plans are to repaint and make good repairs to the classrooms again (boring but got to be done), complete another new dorm and supply beds for it and the big project; set up a farm of pigs, chickens and crops so that they can make some money and be more self sufficient.

We are enormously grateful to the following people for their support on this ‘pig project’ Check out the “thank you” from Kayiira below.
Tim G (Sumner), The Dysons, (Yorkshire), Stephen, Jackie & Charles (Sussex), The Cooneys (Devonport), The Cooneys (Sydney), Sarah (Wanaka), The Tynans (Mt Eden), Nic J (Thame), Mike H (Norwich), The Tynans (Papanui). Jack & Lois (Redwood), Matt B (ChCh), The Bremners (Fleet), Liz D (Papanui), Laura, Sam & Livvie (Surrey), Kris C (ChCh), The Halkets (Hants), Judy & Gary (Papamoa), The Higginsons (Rochford, Essex), JK (Berks), Jan (Misson Bay), Howard & Michael (Greenhithe), The Boyds (Norwich), Carole & Brian (Witney) Eddie and Yvonne (Howick), Keith & Shirley (The Mount), Derek & Allyson (LA), The Garretts (Herts), Broni (Sumner), Brian (Olney), The Kerrs (Belfast) Ken and Jill (Waikanae)
If you are reading this and would like to donate but haven’t yet done so click here www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/lightenup or click on the DONATE NOW button under the pictures to the left, to get to our online fundraising page.

Much love from Kris and Tim