SEE SOLAR COOK SOLAR – RWENZORI,
UGANDA

 

by Tina Chapman, Programme Action Convenor, SI Dunfermline, 25
April 2016

"In 2013 SI Dunfermline chose to invest a large part
of its programme action in support of education for girls in several schools in
the Rwenzori area of Uganda. We chose this area as we had a good contact with two
organisations there through a member of our club. Our main aim was to
provide individual solar lights for girls at the Musasa Primary School. This
proved extremely successful and when the ‘See Solar, Cook Solar’ Appeal advertised for
partners, we thought we’d go for it, and much to our surprise were able to see a
very impressive amount of funding going to support solar panels for lighting,
a solar cooker and water purification in the Musasa School.  This supports the work which we continue to
take forward with what is now nine schools!

 

“Well, the intrepid band of Dunfermline Soroptimists has been
back home for a week now. For nearly two weeks, members had the opportunity to
visit the Rwenzori area of Uganda to see the impact of the Club Project and
more specifically, how  the ‘See Solar,
Cook Solar’ funding is impacting on the school and community. Unfortunately I
was not able to go with them, however they seem to have had an exhausting,
exhilarating and enlightening experience. Although still processing what they
saw and experienced, it is clear that the trip was definitely awe-inspiring! I
gather they all had times where they laughed, cried and felt compassion, and overwhelmingly
they found the children to be happy and enthusiastic in their learning.
Everyone was very welcoming and thankful for the help that was offered (photo
1 above).

We were all keen that there was a visit to Musasa Primary
School to take a look at how the ‘See Solar, Cook Solar’ lighting was helping
with the children’s studies. Grades have improved greatly as the lighting
enables evening study and with the solar panels now in place on the dormitory,
the girls are able to board throughout the week, increasing study time. The
girls are also really happy with the external light on the dormitory as it
makes them feel safe when they go to the latrines. The solar panels
in the second school in Uganda, Kinyamnagha, are also very welcomed and making a big difference to
studies.

 

 

As part of the ‘See Solar, Cook Solar’ project water
collection and purification systems were put in place in both schools. This has
offered so much benefit to the children in numerous ways. There is no longer a
need to collect water. The water is safer and healthier. Additionally, water is
now available in classrooms. Soroptimists were also pleased to see that some of
the units have been used to help people in the villages (photo 3 below); this means
that a unit situated in one house can support several families, thus providing
safe clean water and improving general health.

 

The solar oven is on order for Musasa Primary School however
unfortunately it had not yet arrived in time for our visitors to experience a
solar cooked meal. Next time we hope! 

Our ladies have great tales to tell of their experiences;
travel to the schools was ‘interesting’ as the roads started off as metalled
roads near Entebbe and gradually became less and less recognisable until they
were driving through banana fields to get to the schools. At one point they had
to get out of the vehicle and walk whilst the driver attempted to maneuver
across the supposed roadway (photo 4 below).

 

Luckily they had a great driver, Sabuné, and a heavy duty Toyota LiteAce NOAH
people carrier (with
a cracked windscreen!). The Club
supports nine schools in the area and managed to visit some by foot (photo 6 below), managing
to see all but two schools, which are so far into the country that no vehicle
would get there, and the walk was simply too long to undertake. Maybe next time
we can visit these schools, if we can get some marathons under the belt
beforehand!  Although there was an
awareness that this area is hilly, the difficulties encountered were unexpected;
travel in the countryside is by foot and can be extremely hard going.

 

SI Dunfermline was very interested in what was provided at
mealtimes. At each of the schools the ladies were greeted enthusiastically and
a special celebration meal was prepared. The food provided was obviously quite
different to the usual British fare; mostly carbohydrates with some precious
meat. The meals were filling and nobody needed snacks in between times. At one
of the schools a chicken was presented to the ladies, much to their amazement,
and it was passed around for photos to be taken along with one at the Equator
(photo 7 below).

 

SI Masaka, our friendship link (photo 8 below), met with the ladies
where they were able to share ideas and to start developing ways to support our
various activities. How nice to be able to meet with people you’ve only seen in
photos or talked to by email.

 

The support given by SI Past President, Ann Garvie through
the December 10^th Presidents Appeal 2013-2015, to provide solar
panels and a cooker together with water collection and purification, is very much
appreciated. The legacy will be, improved Education, Enablement and
Empowerment, resulting in a skilled and confident group of girls able to
contribute meaningfully to their community and wider.

We were really pleased to be awarded the Scotland
Joint Conference Programme Action Award for our Rwenzori Uganda Project on
Saturday 23 April 2016.   Conference permitted
us the opportunity to share some of the work we have been undertaking in
partnership with local organisations and ‘See Solar, Cook Solar’, along with a few photos taken on
’safari’ earlier this month".   

Tina Chapman, Programme Action Convenor, SI Dunfermline, 25
April 2016