Well done Prime Minister

Child of Hope welcomes the Prime Minister's initiative to host a major event in July that will tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriage both domestically and internationally.

CoH staff do all they can to combat forced early marriage, as reported recently.

Thankfully, the horrible practice of FGM isn’t so much of a problem in Namatala – however our staff constantly keep an eye out for it. There is an area to the north/east of Namatala (around the popular tourist spot of Sipi Falls) which a particular tribe inhabits and continues FGM on young girls.

Bex had an interesting conversation with a couple from that tribe not so long ago: "The man laughed off the whole notion of FGM being a problem saying that it was something that the women all accepted and knew had to be done. I asked the woman about her thoughts and she really saw it as a ‘right of passage’ – and when I asked her about her daughters she confirmed that they would all be ‘circumcised’ – she had when she was a girl, so why shouldn’t they?"

The Government's announcement about its event states: "FGM violates the rights of girls and women both in this country and overseas.

"FGM is an extremely damaging and excruciating painful practice which has a devastating impact on women’s and girls’ physical and mental health and well-being and their opportunities in life. Many girls die as a result of the practice and women who have undergone FGM are significantly more likely to suffer serious complications in childbirth. UN figures estimate that 3 million girls a year in Africa alone are at risk of FGM and that 125 million women and girls have been cut. In some African countries 9 out of 10 girls are cut."

Our slum school is amazing!

People ask Child of Hope why its Ugandan slum-based school is so… um… big. And why their sights are set so highly on quality education; it is in a slum, after all. Here are the reasons – and they’re proud of them.

1. Our school is high-quality – because that’s what the kids deserve. They are not second-class children, so they should not have a second-class school.

2. When children go to a high-quality school, they think about themselves differently … it inspires them and lifts their vision from the gutter to the sky. It also changes the mind-sets of the staff … giving them greater confidence and expectancy to aim high.

3. It’s a school that doesn’t have to be knocked down and re-built every five years, as with typical, cheaply-built schools. That’s a waste of time and money.

Four more points...

Combating forced early marriage in a Ugandan slum

Forced early marriage is common in Uganda, but can wreck a child’s chances for a job and income later in life – so Child of Hope is tackling the issue for its girl pupils with their families and local community. 

In Uganda a girl is married off early because a dowry (cows, goats, etc) is paid to her parents. So if a family needs cash, they may look to marry her off as soon as possible, meaning she could miss out on education – placing her (and her children) at a disadvantage in the future.

At Child of Hope, staff encourage the parents to treat their sons and daughters exactly the same when it comes to education… helping them understand that an educated daughter is better able to care for them in the future.

High visit

Child of Hope's slum-based school hosted a visit from Samuel Paice, consul and head of communications for the British High Commission in Uganda.

He was shown around the school and also visited some of its pupils' parents in the slum.

The British High Commission develops and maintains close bilateral relations with Uganda, in accordance with British government policies. It is responsible for the political relationship between the UK and Uganda, and provides advice and guidance on political and governance issues.

Olwen cannot believe the change!

Former head teacher Olwen Green, from Anglesea in Wales, was with Child of Hope's slum-based school in Uganda again during March.

She said: ’'In August 2010 I started on a path to the unknown which brought me to Child of Hope in Namatala, Uganda as part the Welsh Assembly ILO programme. Now in 2014 I can not believe the change in attitude in the area surrounding Child of Hope Junior school – it is as if the school is generating a huge amount of HOPE which is seeping into the community.

"Back in 2010 there were 80 children in one room. Now there are 350 children in a new school which is set to get even bigger. I could list numerous changes but most importantly is the education and the security the children of Namatala receive.

"The staff are knowledgeable and enjoy working with the children; the sick bay and Health team is an essential part of the school; the kitchen serves delicious meals and the welfare team are doing tremendous work in the school and in the community. But without the great admin team and all the hard work put in to Income Generating Activities, none of this could be possible. It is a HUGE team effort.

"It has been heart warming to come back to my Ugandan home to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

"We have worked on differentiation, assessment, had an INSET day, looked at class organisation and set up regular meetings for the head teachers to ensure continuity between Nursery and Primary. I have set them a huge task, but with the support of the hard working and enthusiastic management team it is all possible.

"This has been another wonderful fulfilling experience and I could happily have stayed much longer. I wish Child of Hope all the very best in future- I will be back!” Olwen is pictured with children in front of one of the school's temporary classrooms while its third level is completed.

It's music to their ears

After meeting Child of Hope's Bex Okotel last October and hearing her speak about the charity’s work in the Namatala sum of Uganda, the choir of All Saints’ Church, Witley had the great idea of buying musical instruments for the school.

Anne Chant from the choir said: “We wondered what we could do as a choir to support the musicians of the school and Bex said that some musical instruments were much needed.

“So we sold cakes, did a ‘top ten hymns’ competition (£1 per vote) and asked directly for specific instruments to be sponsored by individuals, as Bex had indicated what each instrument would cost. It really seemed to strike a chord with people (if you forgive the pun!) as they could really identify with the specific needs of these children and what their donated money had bought. So it really didn’t take very long at all to raise what was needed and with Gift Aid we were able to contribute a bit more too.

“So although it was the choir’s project, it was the whole of the congregation of All Saints Witley who raised the money and who are all now delighted to see photos and a video of the children with the instruments.”

This is the first round of instruments purchased... there are more being made locally, including... finger pianos!