Sponsored students

One of the widows biggest needs is school fees for secondary school students, and through Kitmabaa and various friends of Kitambaa, about 14 students are presently being sponsored. It costs about $500 a year - the actual cost depends on the school - for one year of secondary school. This photo shows some of these students meeting with me in Rubingo. Where there is a parent or guardian, they are also in attendance. I had their reports with me, and we went over those, and for some, the need to work harder in certain subjects, and for others, applauded them for a high standing in their class. Reading and writing in English was encouraged, as students need good skills in these to pursue further education. And we asked if they had paraffin lamps, so they can all study at night during their holidays. There is always a need for more sponsorships, or contributions toward sponsorships. We are hoping to extend some of these to the more disadvantaged children of widows in Kikagati, so please let me know if you might be interested in helping out in this area - email me at pippa@mars.ark.com. Anything and everything would be so welcome. Now I must go and get ready for our students who will be arriving withing the hour!

Barbra and Loidah

Barbra and Loidah are students at Rushanje Secondary School, who we began sponsoring when they completed P-7, the last year of Primary School. Now they are in S-3, they are working hard, and their marks are good. Barbra's father is an HIV client. She has four younger siblings. Loidah's father is described as a drunkard, who sold the family plot against the mother's wishes, and left her to raise 6 children alone. The third student we visited on Friday was at another school - Bugamba Secondary School. Both her parents are HIV clients (this is the language now used both for HIV positive people and people with AIDS). She is the eldest of 4 children. All three of these girls are boarders, and assistance has been promised to them as long as they keep their marks up.