First we would like to take a moment to recognize our long time Board Member, Mackenzie Gotham, as she steps away from her Director role with H4U to pursue other life passions. Mackenzie has been a part of the Hands4Uganda leadership since 2016. She has taken various trips to ROA through the years, most recently visiting in 2022. Mackenzie has a big heart for these students and we are so grateful for the time and talents she has dedicated to this team and organization! Thank you Mackenzie- you will be missed!
Throughout the year all grades participate in school gardening and farming projects that coincide with a particular academic focus for their level. Students helped tend to the on-site chickens, dairy cows, and the newly completed fish farm. They also aided in planting, tending to, and harvesting various on-site fruits and vegetables. At the end of each term (or season) the school as a whole would celebrate their hard work and dedication with special meals and snacks prepared with their harvest!
The ROA sports program gained recognition following their National Championship Netball win this summer! In December they received an invitation to a national tournament hosted by Africa’s Talent Project in Kampala and were able to participate! This event provided invaluable exposure for the ROA children! We look forward to further developing the ROA sports teams talents in the new year!
This year brought significant developments for the ROA campus:
As mentioned in our Christmas card the current ROA property is being taken, by imminent domain, for the Eastern Standard Gauge Railway. They will not be taking the entire school property, only the area where the new school currently stands. This means ROA has no other choice but to move to a new location. We do not have many details at this time, but have been notified that the estimated value of the land and any improvements will be reimbursed. Once that estimate is paid out to our ROA partners, we will have 2 years to rebuild and relocate. With this said, our ROA team has already begun the hunt for a new parcel of land to rebuild a new school building for the 350+ students ROA currently serves. While very difficult to process, as we have just completed the current building in 2020, we are choosing to look at this as an opportunity to improve the learning environment for our beloved students even further. The next school building will not only boast a full kitchen, but we pray that it will also provide space for a small, combined library and computer lab. We ask for your prayers and if possible, your financial help to make this new project a reality!
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
At the beginning of this month, the Primary Seven students completed their National Examinations. Two students—Samuel (392) and Frank (292)—have continued to volunteer their time to assist with school activities:
We appreciate their dedication and hard work in contributing to the school’s agricultural activities.
The sports training program remains active, and our team’s commitment is beginning to gain external recognition. We have received an invitation from Africa’s Talent Project in Kampala to participate in the Netball Festival of the Year 2024 on 30th December 2024 at Watoto Bbira Children’s Village.
We are hopeful to secure funding to facilitate transportation, meals, and other expenses required for participation. This will be a great opportunity for the children to gain exposure and showcase their skills. Photos of the ongoing training sessions and the invitation letter have been attached for your reference.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Joseph Muhooli was among the first students to enroll at Rock of Ages Community School in 2007. Sponsored throughout his primary and secondary education, Joseph received a partial government scholarship to pursue medical laboratory training.
Recently, he began his hospital training, and it was a proud moment for us when he served at Butabika Hospital in Kampala. Coming from a humble background, Joseph’s success serves as a beacon of hope for his family and the community. Thank you all for your continued support in his inspiring journey.
In the week leading up to the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), the Primary Seven class had the honor of receiving a visit from Fridah Bilyeri, an alumna currently studying at Wanyange Girls School—one of the country’s top girls’ schools.
Accompanied by her school administrators and fellow students, Fridah visited to wish the candidates success in their exams. Her pride in her former school was evident and inspiring.
On 26th October, following the Primary Seven Party, a distressing incident occurred when one of our candidates, Namulindwa Shifura, was struck by a falling tree branch due to heavy winds. She was hospitalized, but her classmates rallied together, organizing a fundraising effort to support her with fruits, juice, and cash.
Accompanied by teachers, the students traveled to Shifura’s home to pray for and encourage her. This act of unity and compassion was truly remarkable. We are pleased to share that Shifura made a full recovery in time to sit for her exams.
Since the inception of Rock of Ages, one of the key advantages we have enjoyed on our property is access to fresh fruits. This term coincided with mango season, and the students were able to enjoy fresh mangoes from the school grounds.
This joyful moment serves as a reminder of the significance of moving to our new property. We extend our gratitude to everyone who made this possible and invite you to join us in celebrating “Fruits Day”, a testament to the school’s blessings and growth.
On 26th October, the Primary Seven learners celebrated their leavers’ party, an event organized by the school to honor their time and achievements. The day began with a morning swimming session, followed by a vibrant party where the learners enjoyed food, music, and dancing.
It was a memorable and beautiful occasion. We extend our appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this celebration a success.
Thank you all for your continued support and dedication throughout this term.
Best regards,
Rock of Ages Sponsorship Team
Sewing is a very useful skill for people of all ages!
We have been posting about "Skilling The Children", which are Saturday afternoon classes where students come to Rock of Age Campus in order to explore a variety of skills. Sewing is an area of growing interest amongst male and female students!
Last week we shared what Teacher Betty lovingly calls "Skilling the Children".
Today, on pi day, we are excited to have more pictures from the baking class! While pie is not a very common dish in Uganda, students learned how to make banana muffins, daddies, half cakes, and chapati!
While ROA exists to provide a formal education and support for students, life skills are something that we strive to provide for children of all ages!
Each weekend Betty and a rotation of teachers participate in what they call "Skilling the Children". Students are welcomed to campus on Saturday afternoons to practice a variety of skills including hair styling, sewing, baking, and chicken rearing. Students are able to choose what activity they would like to participate in for each session and all enjoy baked goods at the end of the day!
Stay tuned for more information on each activity Betty has organized for the students at ROA!
We have BIG NEWS! Rock of Ages Community School now runs on SOLAR POWER!
Last year a very generous donor approached us about the possibility of providing a solar power system for ROA. With his professional skills as an engineer, he worked closely with our Ugandan team and a nearby solar business to create a system that can support ROA electrical needs and is scalable as we continue to grow the campus!
We thank and praise God for this awesome donor who put so much time into this system, out of his love for children and learning, and for this sustainable gift that will help offset operational costs for ROA and provide reliable electricity throughout the building! Having electricity readily available brings so many more opportunities for in-classroom tools and we cannot wait to see what God has in store next!
Due to age, humidity/uncontrolled climate within the school building, and for sitting open for so long without students in their seats many classroom desks became cracked and damaged.
Many preparations were made by faculty and staff for students to return to ROA following the COVID-19 closure and it quickly became apparent that desks needed to be a priority. Unfortunately, almost all student desks needed to be replaced. New desks for P4, 5, 6, and 7 were moved into the building as classes resumed and they are so much more sturdy and durable! Plus the students seem to be excited about them too!
We continue to work on funding for new desks for our younger primary students and preschool classes. These students are currently using the best of the older desks and our preschool children continue to use the same tables that have been in use for the past 7 years. If you would like to make a donation towards the purchase of new desks, please click "Donate" in the upper right corner of this page and under "Donor Note" simply type "for desks" and we will ensure your amount is designated.
Thank you for your continued support and please enjoy the photos below!
Our students are back in school!
Thank you for your continued support over these past two years! This article gives a really good perspective of what has happened to many students in Uganda due to the pandemic and gives us reason to give thanks for what our organization has been able to do for the children during these difficult times.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/worlds-longest-education-lockdown-ends-as-ugandas-schools-reopen
In September the Ugandan President announced that students would not be returning to school until January of 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the US, Google Classroom has provided a platform for virtual communications between teachers and students, allowing for continued learning despite "in-person" limitations. However, in Mbiko Uganda where electricity is unreliable (and often absent in most student homes) online/virtual learning is not an option.
With growing concern for student learning, Rock of Ages Community School faculty and staff devised a plan that would allow for more academic engagement throughout the last trimester of this school year despite limitation on in "in-person" classes.
In September ROA teachers put together progressive learning packets for every single ROA student. These paper packets contained 500 questions and activities and were meant to be completed over a one month timeframe. All ROA teachers then hand delivered these packets to each students home by foot or boda-boda (motorcycle taxi), taking the time needed to explain the homework packets and how the student is expected to pace themselves. Teachers are available to answer questions throughout the month and via phone. Teachers then return to each students home at the end of the month in order to review the packet and provide students with new material.
While these packets could never replace "in-person" learning they have been a success! Students have been brushing up on their academic skills, working towards a smoother transition once schools are able to resume in January!
