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

CASP, Uganda Board of Directors

Here are some details about who actually implements the work of Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) on the ground in Uganda. There are currently 12 schools that are part of the CASP network. The work is done in partnership with the Social Responsibility in Education Committee in Canada. Together we developed the vision for the work so that it would benefit both Canadian and Ugandan students. CASP oversees the work in Uganda and SREC oversees the work with Canadian students.

CASP Board of Directors

1. Mr. Takaisa George
2. Mr.Mpaata Andrew
3. Mr. Mugero Chris
4. Mrs. Mugero Aidah
5. Mrs. Shabomwe Pelly
6. Ms. Nakku Betty
7. Mr. Lyagoba Isabirye Moses

CASP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Lyagoba Moses Chairperson
2. Mrs. Mugero Aidah Vice chairperson
3. Mr. Bizito Isaac General Secretary
4. Mr. Mugero Christopher Projects Officer
5. Dr. Florence .I. Muranga Secretary Gender
6. Ms. Komugisha Lillian Treasurer
7. Ms. Kabasinguzi Helene R Public Relations Officer
8. Mr. Takaisa George Educators/Teachers’ representative
9. Mr.Nkemba David Welfare of volunteers local & international

CASP REGINAL STEERING COMMITTEE (ELECTED)

CHAIRPERSON

Mr.Mugeere Nathan-Headteacher Kinu p/s

VICE CHAIRPERSON

Ms.Namugaya Annet-Headteacher Naluwoli p/s

SECRETARY

Ms Aciro Betty- CCT Bupadhengo.

TREASURER

Mr.Kisoko Samuel- Head teacher St.Patric Guwula p/s

CO-ORDINATORS

Mr.Ggingo S Head teacher Masooli primary school (Wakiso)

Ms.Namukose Head teacher Butaaya primary school (Kamuli)

Mr.Mpaata Andrew Head teacher Namalemba Mixed day &Boarding School.(Iganga)

CHIEF CO-ORDINATOR

Mr. Walekachi Michael - Kidiki S.S

The following represents the three Districts in the executive meeting

1. Mr. Mpaata Andrew represents Iganga District
2. Mr.Ggingo S represents Wakiso District
3. Mr. Samany Godfrey Sajjabi represents Kamuli District

CASP in the news again!

Water harvesting improves school time for Kamuli pupils

Daily Monitor Newspaper, Uganda

Posted Wednesday, June 30 2010 at 00:00

Many children in rural schools walk long distances in search of water, an activity that is affecting their concetration in school...Canada-Africa Schools Partnership (CASP), a volunteer organisation, is moving to address the problem... Mr Moses Isabirye Lyagoba, the coordinator of the programme says they have started a school resource analysis programme where they will empower head teachers and community people on using the available resources to feed the children and empower the community.

The organisation is helping rural schools and households harvest rain water to enable them irrigate their farms during long droughts as well to keep clean water close to the family. The time families spend looking for water affects the economic activities of parents as well as the education pursuits of children. “We are going to give them functional technology to help them collect running rain water and also turn it into a sustainable venture” Mr Lyagoba says.

He says the water can be used to water plants during dry seasons and for domestic work. Mr Lyagoba says most children in rural schools tend to arrive late for classes, and in the evening, spend a lot more time looking for water which affects their studies because they are fatigued. He adds that their parents too, are trapped in the same cycle during the dry seasons, however, with harvesting running rain water, it would keep them going for months until the next rain season.

Mr Lyagoba says educationists have observed that water is as important to children as qualified teachers and books. He says, “The distance these children move to get clean water exposes them to more dangers, coupled with failing to concentrate in school”... He says water and sanitation are some of the most pressing public health challenges in Uganda’s primary schools. Educational achievement is one of the most important determinants of health, life expectancy, economic productivity and the wellbeing of future generations.

for full article see:

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/948892/-/xcpvkm/-/index.html

Our Contact Info

The Uganda Water and Garden Project is undertaken as a partnership between two groups, one in Canada and one in Uganda.

The work is implemented by the Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) which is a registered Community Based Organization in Uganda. They provide environmentally and economically sustainable solutions to water and food for Ugandan schools.

Contact Info:

CASP

Uganda Nurses &Midwives
Union (UNMU) building
Bankeley street,
p.o box 567
Entebbe -Uganda"
Tel:+256-782-396092

admincaspproject@gmail.com

The Social Responsibility in Education Committee faciliates educational, awareness and fundraising activities in Canada that support the work of CASP while bringing benefits of engagement to Canadian students and community partners.

Contact Info:

SR in Education Committee

416 909-4684

caspcan1@yahoo.ca

www.uwgp.blogspot.com

Workshop Certificates Awarded

Each person who completed the CASP 2 day workshop on Sustainable Water & Food Solutions at Ugandan Schools received a certificate signed by CASP Patron (RT Hon Rebecca Kadaga). Congratulations to all of the individuals, including representatives from the 12 schools in the CASP network, who successfully completed the training!

Local Community Leadership

CASP has expanded to include schools of Wakiso and Iganga districts in addition to Kamuli District.

During the 2 day workshop on economically and environmentally sustainable methods for water & food solutions that took place June 12 & 13 2010, elections were held to identify individuals who could spearhead CASP efforts in the 2 new regions. The elections were overseen by RT. Hon Rebecca Kadaga (seen in red above).

Mr. Ggingo, headteacher of Masooli School, was chosen to represent central region Wakiso District.

Mr. Mpaata Andrew, headteacher of Namalmba School was chosen to represent Iganga District.

Mr. Samanya Sadhaibi, headteacher of of Bupadhengo Primary School and chairperson of headteachers' Association of Kamuli, was chosen to represent Kamuli District.

The top photo shows the committee identified to lead activities in the three districts.

The Social Responsibility in Education Committee is interested in linking the Uganda Water & Garden Project to meet the educational needs of students of Toronto related to:

• Social Justice

• Character Education

• Global Citizenship

• Environmental Education (Global Eco-Literacy)

- e.g., world water awareness & need for local actions to protect and conserve water

- e.g., food, poverty and nutrition & value of consuming food local to where it is gown

- e.g., environmentally sustainable methods to addressing food and water needs

• Ontario Curriculum

• Ontario Environmental Education Policy

SR in Education Committee - Advisory Board!

THANK YOU to all of the people who have jumped on board to help provide guidance and expertise for the Uganda Water & Garden Project!

The Social Responsibility in Education Committee's Advisory Board allows people to provide assistance associated with their areas of expertise without having to commit to attending all of the regular committee meetings.

The SR in Education Committee works in collaboration with our Ugandan associates of CASP to undertake the Uganda Water & Garden Project.

If you would like to provide assistance too, please contact us.

We are a 100% volunteer run initiative.

You too can make a difference in the world and we would love to hear from you.

Thank you, thank you!

Workshop: Water & Food Solutions

Recently, Moses Lyagoba organized and implemented with his CASP colleagues, a workshop with representatives from a newly developed network of 12 schools from within three districts within Uganda: Kamuli, Iganga, and Wakiso. This is one of the ways that the water and garden work at Kinu School is being used to help students from other schools within Uganda. Elected representatives were present including the leader for the as head teacher association. This was funded by sources within Uganda with a contribution from those of us in Canada. Congratulations CASP!

CASP Workshop

June 12 & 13, 2010

Opening: Chairman, LCV Kamuli

Day 1 Sessions: School Partnerships, Environmental Awareness, School Resource Analysis, Greening School Compound, Day 1 Evaluation

Day 2 Sessions: Water & Food Solutions, Soil Conservation, Overall Workshop Evaluation

Speeches & Closing Remarks:

CASP Coordinator

Chairman, Head Teachers Association

District Education Officer, Kamuli

Chairman L.C.V., Kamuli

Area MP and State Minister for Lands

Rt. Hon Deputy Speaker of House of Parliament

Welcome Birch Cliff Heights & Masooli Schools!

We would like to extend a warm welcome Birch Cliff Heights Public School of Toronto!

Under the leadership of teacher, Karin Schemeit, Birch Cliff Heights has joined the network of schools involved in the Uganda Water and Garden Project.

Karin volunteered at Masooli School in Uganda a couple of years ago and since that time has remained very concerned about the students' learning conditions. We have been in touch with Moses Lyagoba, the Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) Coordinator in Uganda, who conducted a site visit of the school with the CASP Engineer.

They documented the school's desperate need for roof repair and prepared a plan to complete the repairs that would enable rain water collection.

Masooli has been formally accepted as a CASP school and as such will be participating in an educational workshop on "environmentally and economically sustainable water and food solutions" for Ugandan schools run by CASP.

Students of Birch Cliff Heights, with the support of staff and parents, have been working hard to raise funds. They are determined to help bring clean water to the children of Masooli School and they look forward to learning more about life in Uganda from their pen pals there.

Welcome Masooli School and Welcome Birch Cliff Heights!

Masooli School, Uganda

Update & CASP in the News...

The work of Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) has been highlighted in two Saturday Monitor Newspaper articles in Uganda.

CASP is a community based organization formally registered in Uganda. We support local decision making.

Kinu Primary School is being developed as a Model School where sustainable solutions for water and food are demonstrated (through school gardens and rain water harvesting tanks).

The next educational workshop for area schools will be held on June 12 -13, 2010.

1. Recent article:

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/819816/-/wqt8a5/-/index.html

Excerpt:

Majority of school going children in Uganda most especially in rural areas attend classes on empty stomachs. This affects their concentration while in school and eventually impacts negatively on their general performance in studies.

A volunteer organisation, Canada Africa Schools Partnership (CASP) working alongside Ugandan rural schools in the districts of Kamuli, Iganga and Wakiso, is working out a way to ensure children grow food at school on which they can feed on without paying for it.

The organisation is promoting school gardening projects in over 20 schools where they assist schools to use their land effictively to feed their students.

Studies by Save the Children organisation show that majority Ugandans in farming communities do not have enough food to last the families through the dry seasons, which explains why one in four children under age five are stunted. And by having a meal a day, these children go to school only to sit in classrooms without benefitting much from the teacher.

Mr Moses Isabirye Lyagoba, the Country Director of the programme says they have chosen Kinu Primary School in Kamuli District where they would kickstart the programme to benefit nearly 9,000 pupils in 12 schools in districts of Kamuli, Iganga and Wakiso.

“Many schools have land but the school administrators and children need to be sensitised on how best they can fully exploit their land for better education by growing food to give children,” Mr Lyagooba says.

He says government has asked parents to send their children with food but available circumstances don’t favour the arrangement that calls for an intervention, if the UPE policy is to fulfill its objectives.

Mr Lwagooba cites Kinu Primary School in Kamuli with 51 acres idle land which is about to be used to demonstrate the proper use of land for the benefit of the schools, students and the communities in the school’s locality.

“We hope to raise a well planed school garden with short term and long term projects like tree planting,” he adds.

The country director says 1,000 pine trees have been planted on Kinu Primary School land and another consignment of 1,000 pine trees and 500 fruit trees have been given to the school to grow food for children and use the trees to earn money for other activities in the school...

2. Rainwater Harvesting Goes to Kamuli

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/-/689860/920838/-/xbc93h/-/index.html

Excerpt:

Water and sanitation are some of the most pressing public health challenges in Uganda’s primary schools. Canadian volunteer organisations in efforts to address the problem, are partnering with Ugandan rural schools to make clean water accessible to children through the Canada-Africa schools partnership (CASP).

Mr Moses Isabirye Lyagoba, the coordinator of the programme says that they have selected Kinu Church of Uganda Primary School in Namwedwa Sub-county in Kamuli District as the pilot school to kick start the water and sanitation project whereby schools will be helped to harvest rain water for domestic and farm use....

Clean water and sanitation are as essential to learning as good books and qualified teachers. Without these necessities, children have trouble paying attention in school, and many fall ill and have to miss class. In the long term, educational achievement is one of the most important determinants of health, life expectancy, economic productivity, and the wellbeing of future generations. In past years, the government carried out several national campaigns geared towards the provision of safe water as a way of preventing cholera, bilharzia and other water-borne diseases. Studies show that between 40 and 60 per cent of Ugandans, especially in rural areas and amongst poor urban residents, lack access to safe drinking water, according to Uganda’s directorate of Water Development.

Deputy Speaker Becomes Patron of CASP

Message from RT Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament.

We are so very please Ms. Kadaga has become a Patron to the work of CASP.

Rebecca Kadaga, Deputy Speaker acts as Patron

The RT. Honorable Rebecca Kadaga, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament of Uganda, has officially communicated that she will act as PATRON in support of our work as Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) and it's critical contributions to the social sector within Uganda.

CASP Sparks Generous Local Contributions

During the Nov 23rd Ceremony to Inaugurate CASP and the Water Tanks:

• An announcement was made of a new donation of $1,500 from Schools (BAS), Local Small Businesses in East Toronto and the Royal Bank of Canada.

• The RT. Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of the House of Parliament pledged fruit trees for the school garden to provide food (number to established later).  She also pledged 1,000 Pine Trees as an extention to the planned Botanical Garden. 

• The chairperson of local council (LC V), political head of the Kamuli District Mr. Steven Mubiru, pledged to provide all the conversions for two new tanks on the second building at Kinu School to collect water for garden irrigation.

• The Hon State Minister for Lands and area member of parliament for Bugabula south constituency– Kamuli District Asuman Kiyingi announced a donation of one million Ugandan Shillings (approximately 600 Canadian Dollars) to support the nearby Hospital to the school. 

In addition, Moses reports that the community members, including parents of Kinu students, "strongly promised" to cooperate with the CASP programs whenever there is a need in terms of their manual labour.

Celebration of Water Tank and CASP

A Celebration of Water at Kinu Primary School!

On Nov 23rd the RT. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, presided over a ceremony to inaugurate the water tanks and celebrate the Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP) as an officially registered community based organization.  The festivities took place at Kinu Primary School.

The students formed a parade through the village to draw people, young and old, to the school for the celebration!

The banner in the parade read: Canada Africa School Partnership (CASP), With Partnership We Achieve, Launching on 23 Nov 2009.  CASP is now a registered Community Based Organization in Uganda. 

Here is the tank that students from BAS, Kimberley, Adam Beck and Monarch Park built. The plaque recognizes the Toronto schools that raised funds.

The entire community came out to celebrate the provision of water to 700 student at Kinu Primary School.  

Speeches were given my local leaders and government officials.  Here is the head teacher (principal) of Kinu Primary School.

A speech prepared by us, the Social Responsibility in Education Committee of Toronto, was read by a PLAN Uganda/International representative, Mr. Sam Acodu.

The RT Hon Rebecca Kadaga presided and inagurated both water tanks (including the second one here that was provided by UNESCO to match our contribution).

Everyone sang and danced!