Stories from the Road

by Asia Kamukama, Uganda Program Manager

Our U.S. team was just in Uganda delivering backpacks and school supplies to our partner schools. Asia, our Uganda Program Manager, took daily notes during their journey, and now she's sharing them with all of us! Follow along for an up-close look at their action-packed week.

April 8th 

Sittankya Primary School 

As we arrived at Sittankya Primary School, we were greeted with the most heartwarming welcome imaginable. Children, with smiles as bright as the sun, danced joyously, holding placards adorned with messages of gratitude to our organization, Sister Schools. Their joy and appreciation set the tone for the day ahead, filling us with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. 

But the kindness didn't stop there. The school had prepared a delicious lunch of local delicacies for us, a gesture that touched our hearts. As if that wasn't enough, we were presented with sashes acknowledging the work each of us had done at Sister Schools. It was a humbling moment, knowing that our efforts were making a real difference in the lives of these children and their community. 

One particularly poignant moment came during a conversation with the school headteacher, Esther. She reminisced about the conditions of the school offices before Sister Schools' intervention – cramped spaces, broken floors. She expressed that our committed visits to her school every year is what keeps her so motivated to work hard so she can make us proud and also show how much hope our support brings not only to her but her school.  

Our visit was filled with moments of joy, laughter, and great conversations. We engaged in interactive sessions, capturing the spirit of collaboration and learning that defines the partnership between Sister Schools and the local community. As the day ended, we were reminded once again of the importance of our work. The impact of our efforts goes far beyond providing material resources; it's about fostering hope, empowering communities, and creating opportunities for a brighter future. 

Kiyunga Primary School 

That same day, we also got to stop by Kiyunga Primary School, just to say hello. We met briefly with the headteacher who told us how the school performed in the last Primary Leaving Exams. They had 25 first grades, 56 second grades,8 third grades, and no failures. This is because of the reading books that Sister Schools gives them, which help children improve their reading skills.  

Kisowera Primary School 

Still not done with our busy day, our final stop was at Kisowera Primary School, where we met the new headteacher, Mr. Steven, a former teacher at the school who is already very familiar with our partnership. Mr. Steven warmly welcomed us, recalling our earlier visits to the school during the establishment of the library. 

Mr. Steven was not only familiar with our programs, but also deeply appreciative of the impact they had made on the school community. Leading us to the library, he showcased the integration of library lessons into the school timetable—a practice that has proven instrumental in enhancing students' reading and writing skills. With each class allocated a minimum of 45 minutes per week for library use, students now have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of resources, furthering their academic growth. 

Mr. Steven also shared with us his ongoing challenge as headteacher—the inadequacy of resources, particularly student books. Despite the positive strides made in literacy education, the lack of sufficient materials for students to follow along with lessons and engage in independent study remains a hurdle. This underscores the continued need for support and collaboration to ensure that every child at Kisowera has access to the resources they need to succeed academically. 

April 9th 

Mayangayanga Primary School 

Under the gentle morning sun, our journey to Mayangayanga Primary School began. Tucked away in the heart of Mukono District, the school was a 30-minute drive from the bustling Mukono town, followed by another 30 minutes bumping along rugged remote roads.  

Once we arrived, Hassan, the headteacher, shared with us the profound impact of Sister Schools' support on the school's enrollment. The partnership with Sister Schools provided the much-needed scholastic materials and essential tools that attracted children from the community and retained them at school.  

As we mingled with the students, their bright eyes and infectious laughter filled the air. We captured these precious moments on camera, recording their heartfelt thank yous to their partner school.  

At Myangaygaya, we were able to deliver new backpacks to many students, a real blessing for those who use grocery bags to carry their books to and from school. You should have seen the excitement as we handed out these wonderful gifts! It’s gratifying to know that the money for these backpacks was raised directly by U.S. students – I am so grateful for their generosity and care for their fellow students, even half a world away. 

Afternoon Visits 

The long trek out to Mayangayanga left little time for further vists that day, but we still managed to stop by both Namulaba and St. Kizito primary schools. The school supplies intended for these schools are still enroute to Uganda, so I will be returning shortly with a full delivery soon. In the meantime, we enjoyed greeting the teachers and staff, and gifted the students with new soccer balls, which were a huge hit.  

April 11th 

Kibiribiri Primary School 

After a day off from school visits to work on staff building, we were happy to be back at it today! We were greeted with warmth and excitement by the community at Kibiribiri Church of Uganda Primary School. They welcomed us with open arms and infectious energy. As soon as we stepped onto the school grounds, we were met with a lively celebration, complete with music, dancing, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. The headteacher, Robbinah, has dedicated and kept this school running and thriving for many years. Her leadership shone through as she spoke to us with warmth and sincerity, expressing her gratitude for our visit and acknowledging the invaluable support of our liaison.  

Kibiribiri was founded in 2002 and has served as a beacon of hope and opportunity for the surrounding community. Robbinah shared with us the school's humble beginnings and its noble purpose: to provide education to children who might otherwise face barriers due to distance, climate, or economic constraints. It was clear that the driving force behind this initiative was not profit, but rather a genuine desire to uplift and empower the community.  Her dedication is also reflected in the school’s staff. We also met with the school’s teachers and hear their stories of service which highlighted their deep sense of responsibility and passion for shaping the future generation.   

It’s an honor to partner with schools like this one. It’s evident this is more than just a place of learning—it was a home, a beacon of hope for all who walked through its doors. The joy and happiness shared among students, teachers, and visitors alike spoke volumes about the profound impact of education and community support.   

Afternoon Visits 

In the afternoon, we stopped at Lutengo primary school which showed us how they are using their school library that was built and stocked by Sister Schools. After some rocky years during the Covid crisis, we were pleased to see this library is now in better than anticipated shape. They have a dedicated teacher managed the space once again, and it looks to be well utilized by studnets. 

Our busy day continued with a visit to Ntawo Primary School.They welcomed us with vibrant dances performed by the students, showcasing not just their energy, passion, and talent, but also their unwavering dedication. Each dance was executed with precision and enthusiasm, leaving us in awe of their skill and commitment. It was clear that the students had put in a tremendous amount of effort and practice to prepare for our visit. 

After the performances, we were introduced to the school's teachers, who greeted us with excitement. 

One of the highlights of our visit was when a student stood up to deliver a flawless speech of appreciation in English, on behalf of the entire school. She shared the school’s accomplishments, including improved academic performance, construction of a new classroom and their new uniform. The students appreciated the great work done by Sister Schools especially the efforts to improve reading in the school through the books donated and the literacy workshops for the school librarian. The student recognised the efforts of teachers Joan and Tezira- the library coordinators who are doing a great job of managing and making sure the community around them can also access books. 

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Sister Schools partners with so many amazing schools in Uganda, and I love visiting them all!