August 2019 Newsletter

Hello lovely TUSP family!

Welcome to our first update of 2019. Firstly we must apologise for taking so long to bring you up to date with our goings-on, we have a small team and have all been flat out running the programs we've barely had time to catch breath! But it's only right that we give you a taste of what we've been working on recently, and how your amazing support is helping to support this amazing community.

2019 has been a great year, with exciting developments in the spring and more to come between now and year-end! So without further ado, let us give you all an update on what's been happening...

Teacher Training

This year has seen us place an emphasis on improving the quality of teaching at the school, and create a more student-led, curious and interactive learning environment. 

Working with our partners at Africa Educational Trust we had Rod Hicks, an educational specialist with over 50+ years experience working in education in East Africa, come and give a 5-day initial training to all our staff members, as well as key local stake holders.

On the agenda for the training was a focus on early-grade and later reading, use of Local Language vs english, effective use of questioning and correct use of textbooks.

We wanted to try and move away from the chorus, 'Rote' learning of shout and repeat which is common practice amongst teachers here,  so we can engage the children more with what they're learning and inspire curiosity and problem solving skills early on.

With support from the local government, we've established fortnightly evaluations of the lessons to ensure that new methods are put into practice and that standards of teaching are improving. Rod and AET will be returning later in the year to continue their work, with another 5-day training scheduled for October, with particular focus on preparation for the national Secondary School entrance exams.

TUSP WOMEN’S MICROFINANCE

Now moving into its third year of existence, the Microfinance continues to offer financial capital to business women who otherwise wouldn't be able to access it. We have recently completed our latest round of Borrower Training and loan issuance to 50 local women to start new businesses or expand existing ones. with a 0% default rate thanks to fantastic attitudes and our peer-guarantee system!
 

We believe (and so do the borrowers!) that the economic empowerment that comes with improved financial security helps shift the perception and treatment of women in village settings, whilst at the same time the easing of financial burdens also allows for greater emphasis to be on educating their children.

SCHOOL MOTHER PROGRAM

A 'School Mother' is a specially trained member of the community who supports the existing school structures with a particular focus on ensuring the safe, supportive environment for our female learners - including education on female hygiene, preventing early marriages and pregnancy, HIV/AIDS prevention and women's rights.

In collaboration with AET, we have had the initial training with our School Mother, Agnes, who will rceive further training later in the year and who will also head to the North to visit an already flourishing School Mother Program!

New Classrooms

In addition to the programs mentioned above, we are also keen to build two new classrooms at Bumakenya Primary School! This has been in the pipeline for some time now but unfortunately due to a land dispute between local residents, it hasn't been possible.

However, recent developments indicate light at the end of the tunnel, and we hope to break ground on the classrooms as soon as this is resolved.

We're hoping to get in the same fantastic team of local engineers and labourers who did such a great job on the previous construction - watch this space!

So, a lot has happened this year and we have big plans for developments in the near future, so a massive thank you to all of our volunteers, donors and well-wishers who have supported us on our journey thus far. It’s been a huge team effort and I am very proud of what we have achieved, and what we can continue to achieve in the coming years.

Keep an eye on your emails as we should be updating with more frequency in the months to come!