Despite the threat of landslides, a school in Manafwa, Eastern Uganda, continues to provide education for it's pupils.
In May, a 40km-crack developed on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Manafwa district, threatening about 8,000 residents in eight sub-counties. ...On 1 March, about 400 people were killed by mudslides in Bududa, when three villages were buried. Bududa stands north of Manafwa on the Elgon slopes.
While the constant rain and cold conditions has affected attendance, students at Praise Preparatory Children's Centre in Bukhaweka are enjoying music and drama activities. The range of music classes include western choral singing, traditional folks songs, solo, sight-singing, instrument composition. Pupils also enjoy drama original composition and poetry lessons. However, the school, which is funded by the local church, lacks instruments, costumes and props. One teacher writes: "We could be doing well if we had these things. But nevertheless we are always challenging the Government Aided schools."
Students are also showing aptitude in sport, but again they are hindered by a lack of equipment. The Games master, Mt Muse Mark is in need of a whistle and a teaching manual, and the pupils require footballs, netballs, volleyballs and sports wear. Many students don't have a uniform or shoes and those who do lack pullovers, which are necessary, given the current climate. In the classrooms, the situation is similar with insufficient furtniture: desks, chairs, blackboards, cupboards; and inadequate scholastic materials: books, pens, pencils and crayons.
Despite a lack of facilities, students are succeeding academically and the pupils that sat the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) passed onto secondary school. This year however, a fundamental deficit of teachers, means the school have had to cancel the Primary 7 class, the final year of primary education. In all other year groups, the numbers of students are increasing, with a rise in the number of vulnerable children - many who are HIV positive - seeking an education.
While the families of a few pay for their children's education, most have no money, and a high percentage of the pupils are orphans with no supporting relatives. The school is therefore need of financial assistance. Crucially, donations are needed to build latrines, without which the school is unfit for pupils. "Because of this, we are operating in someone's premises," explains a teacher.