Tin Roof Global Takes Over This Project!

The Social Responsibility in Education Committee (SREC) has an exciting announcement!

This project began with a group of parent educators volunteering to create meaningful ways to support our kids and their peers in learning Social Responsibility and Social Action skills while at the same time supporting kids in the developing world by providing access to clean water. We have enjoyed working collaboratively with teachers and with young people developing and excersizing their leadership skills.

We wanted to operate within a respectful partnership with our collaborators in Uganda and support local decision making there. While we developed the project to meet specific goals for Canadian students, local leaders in Uganda, who shared our vision, developed in parallel a new entity called the Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) organization to oversee project implementation on the ground. The CASP organization completed a full audit and has now achieved full NGO (non-governmental organization) Status within Uganda!

Meanwhile, in Canada, word of the Uganda Water and Garden Project (UWGP) spread, more schools joined in, as well as afterschool programs and church youth groups! The project has experienced growth well beyond our expectations (and capacity to manage).

We are therefore thrilled to announce that...

Tin Roof Global has taken over the administration of the Uganda Water and Garden Project!

Members of SREC interviewed several organizations and selected Tin Roof Global because of their commitment to not only undertake international development but pairing this action and leadership development with the facilitation of global education, leadership and social responsibility in young Canadians. We have been working together for almost a year now and SREC volunteers will continue to be involved to some extent. CASP will continue to play a central role in overseeing the building of rainwater harvesting tanks at Ugandan schools.

Tin Roof Global is a nonprofit organization with charity status which means it can issue tax receipts for donations. The organization is run by people with expertise in education and international development. We thank Canadian schools interested in joining the project for their patience as we worked to get this needed infrastructure in place. We are confident that the project is now well situated to support growth!

The new name of the Uganda Water & Garden Project is Roof It H2O!

For more info about Tin Roof Global and its programs, please check out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIWN-N-UEtQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBUjnQwB4fM&feature=related

Water Sustainability Workshop for Ugandan School Personnel

Sustainability Workshop for Ugandan School Personnel

Iganga District

April 28 & 29 2011

100 participants explored water and food sustainability method for ugandan schools as well as their vision for building partnerships with Canadian Schools.

This educational initiative was implemented by CASP (Canada Africa School Partnership organization) in collaboration with local partners. CASP is an organization of local education, engineering and community development experts that facilitate communities in the building of rainwater harvesting tanks and school gardens to improve the quality of education in Uganda. Mr. Moses Lyagoba (gentleman on the right in the above photo, is the CASP coutry director).

The workshop received some funding from us in Canada via Tin Roof Global, the nonprofit charity that now manages the entire Uganda Water & Garden Project (renamed Roof it H2O).

Thanks from Esther

We would like to thank all those who attended the Feb 19th event or who may be considering making a donation through Tin Roof Global's website toward Educating Esther!

Esther started her 4 year high school program on Jan 31st 2011. At the event we watched video interviews taken before and after she started school.

She looked so incredibly happy at school that we wanted to share this photo with you. Thanks goes out to Moses who made a special effort to get us these images.

The success of the fundraiser was made possible with the help of a number of community partners:

The Art of Beauty

Serenity Massage

Dufflets

Wholesome Foods

Zumba with Mary

CTV News

Jan Lancaster

Avis Favaro

The Pilates Barr

Alicia & Geoff Edwards

Fogel Photography

The Art of Cheese

Bev Mummery Photography

Il Fornello

Deborah Robertson

Denise Kirlianis

Donna Kirlianis

Rosemary Anderson

Ambiance Chocolat

Pikto Photography

DeSerres (Woodbine & Danforth)

Kari Krogh

and Danny and Tyler's fantastic band!

Educating Esther Event: Feb 19 2011

Educating Esther

Join us Saturday February 19 2011 from 2:00 - 4:30 at 1672 Kingston Rd

Here is Esther with her grandmum and Moses the UWGP project country coordinator.

We are making a difference in the life of a Ugandan girl and her community! Esther played a role in educating Toronto youth about life in Uganda as part of the Uganda Water and Garden Project, an initiative that involves Toronto students in bringing clean water and gardens to Ugandan schools. Both of Esther’s parents died and as Kinu School’s top student, she was forced to leave school. Come learn more about Esther and the Uganda Water and Garden Project. Help raise fees needed for her to complete her 4 year secondary education. We will have a silent auction and a small photography show/sale illustrating life for Ugandan children. Enjoy music, refreshments and handmade chocolates!

This is one of the photos that will be available for purchase at the event.

Tax Receipts from Tin Roof Global Available.

This community event is hosted by The Art of Beauty with help from Serenity Massage.

Join us Saturday February 19 2011 from 2:00 - 4:30 at 1672 Kingston Rd

RSVP 416 698-6968

Give the Gift of Education (Gift Cards)

Educating Esther

Some of you by now have heard about Esther. She helped Toronto students learn about life in Uganda by volunteering to participate in an educational video used in Canadian classrooms. Both her parents have since died and she has had to leave school to help care for her brothers. She was the top student at Kinu School and dreams of being a nurse.

Although the UWGP does not offer scholarships two community businesses The Art of Beauty and Serenity Massage Therapy are coordinating a community fundraiser on Feb 19 2010 from 2:00- 4:30 for Esther.

Call Teresa or drop by the Art of Beauty 416 698-6968 (1672 Kingston Rd) to purchase a gift donation card and to RSVP to the event where you will learn more about Esther, The Uganda Water & Garden Project and Tin Roof Global the nonprofit organization that will be administering the Educating Esther funds. Music and refreshments will add to the atmosphere of community spirit.

If you have an item you can donate to the silent auction, please let Teresa know.

TAX RECEIPTS AVAILABLE!

Thank you for helping to make Esther’s dream of an education come true!

Water Facts

Here are some WATER FACTS to consider ...

Compiled by Duke's Eco Club

1. The planet is running out of fresh water.

2. Increasingly, communities around the world, including Canadian First Nations Communities, live without adequate access to fresh water.

3. Over 75% of the planet is water but not even 1% of that water is drinkable.

4. Canada has more than 20% of the planet’s water but 99% of this water is polluted by chemical waste.

5. Patients who have acute water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, hepatitis, cholera and typhoid occupy 45% of hospital beds around the world.

6. It takes 2500 litres of water to produce one hamburger and 1000 litters of water to produce one kilogram of tomatoes.

7. By leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth, you waste up to 9 litres of water a minute or 26,000 litres per family per year.

8. Water is a renewable resource but because our oceans, lakes and rivers are so polluted, 60% of the world now depends on ground water stored in our aquifers that can take decades to replace.

9. Every week enough single use water bottles are thrown away to circle the earth 5 times.

10. Bottled water costs 1,000 times more than tap water and companies like Coca cola, Nestle, and Evian make enormous profits while many people in Africa

WATER WALK at Duke of Connaught School in Toronto

Students of Duke of Connaught School in Toronto wish to reach out in solidarity to their peers in Uganda who have to walk for water daily.

On Tuesday Nov 23 2010 students will WALK FOR WATER and take a moment to reflect upon the challenges that their pen pals face each day in collecting water.

Each class has been collecting coins in buckets as well. The coins are being weighed to bring attention to the weight of water. Each grade has their contribution posted in the front hall. Each day the levels go up. "Way to go grade 3 students" you are right off the chart!

Local government makes contibution

On Nov 12 2010 a ceremony took place at the District Headquarters of Kamuli to hand over materials such as eves troughs that will be attached to a second building at Kinu School. These materials will help to collect the rainwater for storage in a 10,000 L tank. This water will then be used for irrigating several garden plots and nursery. The pledge for material support was made by Mr. Steven Mubiru, District Chairperson of Kamuli (wearing a yellow shirt in photo). The gathering also included Mr. Joseph Musoke (at the left of the photo), District Education Officer of Kamuli and Ms. Catherine Amal (wearing dark blue skirt), Chief Administrative Officer of Kamuli.

Let's Play Soccer!

Thanks to the Toronto students who came up with the idea of collecting and sending soccer balls, students from all 12 CASP schools are now enjoying playing soccer.

All kids love to play!

These are students of St. Patrick Guwula School.

St Patrick Guwula School Photos (Nov 2010)

CASP Coordinator Moses (left in photo above) and Helen of CASP's Board of Directors, recently went to visit the community of St. Patrick Guwula School. They met with teachers, students, parents and community leaders to discuss what the priority concerns are and the ways these concerns might be best addressed. Access to food and clean water are the most pressing issues.

Home in the area around St. Patrick School.

Coffee plants.

Students at St. Patrick Guwula School.

Message to Glen Ames from CASP ~ THANK YOU!

Last year Glen Ames raised enough money to build a rainwater harvesting tank at Kinu School in Uganda. This tank is dedicated to the collection of water for irrigating multiple demonstration gardens and a nursery. The nursery will provide plants and tree samplings to support food gardens at the 12 Ugandan schools that are part of the Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) network.

The members of the CASP wish to express their sincere thanks!

The Meaning of Compassion: Dalai Lama

Recently the 14th Dalai Lama came to visit us in Toronto. My daughter and I were touched by his words and it made us think about the Uganda Water & Garden Project. He spoke about his belief that young people would play a critical role in bringing about world peace.

He identified two types of actions that are needed in this world:

1. Compassionate Action

2. Human-to-Human Connection

I recently came across a written explanation of the meaning of "compassion" in his words:

"Our concept of compassion refers to the feeling of closeness we have with our friends and loved ones. Sometimes compasion also carries a sense of pity. This is wrong - any compassion which entails looking down on the other is not genuine compassion. To be genuine, compassion must be based on respect for the other, and on the realization that others have the right to be happy and overcome suffering, just as much as you. On this basis, since you can see that others are suffering, you develop a genuine sense of concern for them." H.H. The XIV Dalai Lama.

This resonated with me. As someone who lives with disability (used a wheelchair for years), I invite people to feel human compassion alongside me. I would not appreciate pity or being crafted into a hero. I am a citizen of the world who, like so many other people, struggles to overcome suffering and experiences moments of tremendous joy too.

I am incredibly appreciative of all that I have been able to learn and feel through my work on this project with my colleagues including youth leaders and educators of Uganda and Canada.

Nakulabye Parent's School

Here are some new photos from Moses' latest visit to Nakulabye School.

(Moses Lyagoba is the environmental educator who co-designed the project with us.

He oversees the activities of the Uganda Water and Garden Project in Uganda.)

The school name is pronouced "new-cal-la-bee-aye" with an emphasis on "la".

The classrooms are very crowded and basic educational supplies are lacking. Grades 1,2,3 and grade 7 (preparing for their final exams for entry to secondary school) are located inside the school building.

Students in grades 4, 5 & 6 attend their lessons in this outdoor structure without furniture.

Moses meets with local decision-makers including parent council leaders, headmaster of the school, local government education leaders and others. Local solutions to local problems are discussed. Everyone from the community is expected to contribute to building solutions. Clean water and food are the highest priorities.

The students must walk 1.5 km each day for water. However the water source is not clean and many children suffer from waterborne disease. With help from Toronto students this year we hope to be able to raise the funds for a 10,000L rainwater harvesting tank at this school (similar to the ones built at Kinu school with great success).

The parents are subsistence farmers and find it difficult to provide food to those children old enough to attend school. There is a great need for a school garden to provide food. Parents have donated land for the gardens. With help from Toronto students, we hope to be able help pay for land clearing and seeds to get the garden's established.

The students at Nakulabye School are very happy to have partner schools and pen pals in Toronto. They danced, sang and played drums in celebration of forming new friendships with Canadian students!

Film WATER ON THE TABLE Oct 14 7pm

Planet in Focus Film Festival – “Water on the Table” premiere & post-screening discussion with Maude Barlow and Liz Marshall

When: October 14, 2010 at 7pm

Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park

On the heels of last month’s victorious vote by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize the human right to water and sanitation, Planet in Focus is pleased to announce the highly-anticipated theatrical screening of Water On The Table. This remarkable feature-length documentary screening from award-winning Canadian Director Liz Marshall is part of the 11th annual Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival. The film follows tireless water advocate Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, as she works to have water declared a human right, during her term as Senior Advisor on Water to the 63rd President of the U.N. General Assembly.

This will be the first Toronto speaking engagement for Maude Barlow since the historic UN Right to Water was passed.

Visit planetinfocus.org for tickets and more information.

Liberty Village After-School Program Joins Us!

Welcome to Liberty Village Kids!

This unique afterschool program has a social justice and environmental education focus. They draw students from Givins-Shaw Public School as well as Niagara Public School. Every Thursday the students will be working on a local or international project. They have selected the Uganda Water & Garden Project as their international project!

We very much look forward to meeting the students and showing them photos of Uganda! We would like to students to grow up learning that they CAN make a difference in the world!

Harvest Time!

Recently Moses went to Kinu Primary to assess the harvest. He was pleased to hear from the staff that the garden this year has helped to feed students at the school who would otherwise go without food. The corn harvest was particularly successful.

CASP welcomes Curr Intermediate School

Moses Lyagoba on behalf of CASP would like to extend a warm welcome to Curr Intermediate School in California USA that has joined the network of schools. CASP is grateful to each and every student, teacher, staff and parent volunteer involved in the Uganda Water & Garden Project. The work that you do will raise awareness of world water & food issues generally and also make a tremendous difference in the lives of many Ugandan students. Thanks & Welcome!

School Supplies Received!

Students at Kinu Primary School received the donations of school supplies, tooth paste & tooth brushes! Thanks again to the Kimberley and Adam Beck students who donated the items. You brought smiles to faces of the Ugandan students.

Welcome Duke of Connaught Public School!

We would like to extend a huge WELCOME to DUKE OF CONNAUGHT PUBLIC SCHOOL (K-8) students, staff and parents! Principal Lenna Kozovski has invited the entire school to get involved in the Uganda Water & Garden Project as part of their school's Social Justice Plan. We gave a presentation to the 45 staff and look forward to our presentation scheduled to the parent council in October. Wow, we already have meetings set up with classroom teachers and teachers leading clubs. How exciting!

Environmental Conservation Course, Kenya

We are very happy to announce that this year 4 of the 10 spaces available to Ugandans to attend an Environmental Conservation Course have been awarded to volunteer members of the CASP team!

The course is hosted by the Elsamere Field Study Centre established in the memory of Joy and George Adamson (of Born Free fame). The centre provides educational programming for teachers, students and community leaders. See: http://www.elsatrust.com/pages/Elsamere_Field_Study_Centre.vrt

Moses Lyagoba attended this program in 2007 and used his acquired knowledge in forming the foundation for the CASP efforts in Uganda. Now additional members of CASP will benefit from this training in Environmental Conservation!

Congratulations to participants:

1. Mr. Mpaata Andrew, headteacher Namalemba School, Iganga

2. Mr. Damba Fred, teacher, Chadwick Namate School, Entebbe

3. Mr. Takaisa George, teacher & education officer, Entebbe Junior School

4. Mr. Kasolo Karim, teacher coordinator, Bupadhengo School, Kamuli