Dear sponsors
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On the 19th March we, Ruedi and Elisabeth Schneeberger, Maureen and I left for our yearly Uganda visit. We had a long list of talks and meetings with us, and more were added during our time in Uganda. We are very thankful for the help Ruedi and Elisabeth were able to give us.
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In our luggage was a complete water purifying unit presented to us by aqua pura Switzerland. Ruedi was responsible for the installation in the school. Rain water flows through a filter and ultra violet light section resulting in 600 litres of drinking water an hour. Clean water is the best prevention against many illnesses and diseases. The system is connected to both three 10,000 litre rain water tanks and also the electric ground water pump, providing sufficient drinking water during the dry season. Four press taps are available nearby for the thirsty school children and villagers. The water quality is checked monthly and a plumber is responsible for the maintenance.
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This year we officially opened the new playground for the nursery and youngest pupils in the school. They love the roundabout, swings, see-saw and slide. It’s a joy to hear them laughing and playing.
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The school has been accepted as a regional examination centre. We had to buy 50 single desks for this purpose. It is an investment which will be more than paid for when the state recompenses the examination fees. In this way we save the transport costs we would otherwise have sending our own pupils to other examination centres.
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We were surprised to see several cows on the sport field. Our headmistress’ father made her a present of four cows which together give 80 litres a day. The milk is mixed in the children’s porridge, and the cow dung is useful for the school’s kitchen garden.
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The development of Gilgal Primary School is a real miracle. When we arrived nine years ago there were just two mudbrick classrooms, and two teachers and three helpers were caring for 220 children. They had only a handful of books – no water, no kitchen, no electricity – nothing. Our community is now made up of 530 children, 18 teachers and nine staff members. All the adults and about 160 full orphans live on school ground. It’s like a small village. The academic level has made great progress. After the last national primary school finals, the most popular newspaper published in Uganda (Bukedde) praised Gilgal Primary School for its high standard and for its good results. Gilgal is not the most luxurious school in the region, but it is now one of the best.
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We have had a good banana and pineapple crop this year. Next year we will have to change from pineapples to coffee as a new cash crop. Our farmers have decided on coffee with vegetables and fruit intercropping. After the school has taken its share, the excess will be sold. The profits will be reinvested in the school. Coffee is a good cash crop.
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Some time ago I wrote about our intended solar energy project. Peter Preisig of Prieisig AG, Zurich was ready to develop the plan, but unfortunately there were unexpected delays due to lack of cooperation with a German firm. We have now found a reliable firm in Uganda and by late summer we shall have solar energy. This will guarantee the functioning of the most important apparatus we need – the water pump, security lighting and our door to the world - the internet.
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After many meetings and discussions we were ready to start the journey home. Or so we thought. Our old Boeing-767 had engine trouble, and after three hours waiting on the runway, we were rolled back to the gate and finally directed to a hotel. We arrived back in Switzerland after a two day delay.
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Peter Schnyder, President
April 13
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