About 2 years ago Gulu District in Northern Uganda was divided into two and Amuru District was formed. The District Education Officer took us on a tour of some community schools (not currently supported by government) where parents pay fees to cover teacher salaries. We travelled on the great northern highway which links northern Uganda with Sudan, a very bumpy marum road frequented by large trucks carrying supplies to Sudan. There are plans to pave this road, which we think will help with working in the area substantially. We visited two community schools in the district and were amazed at the efforts by both teachers and community to provide their children with an education. One school supported 500 children with 6 teachers and are teaching under two mud thatched school classrooms. No desks, text books, latrines, musical instruments, sporting equipment and only two movable blackboards to share among all the classes. The other community school was perched on top of a hill overlooking grassy plains; it was so very beautiful and peaceful. When it originated they started under a mango tree with 200 children, over time, they built a mud thatched structure. The parents have built latrines and support 4 teachers and last year a school in Norway raised money to build two classrooms and an office. Both schools have applied to be supported by government which would help with hiring more teachers. Both schools are seeking support to help with infrastructure and teaching resources to improve the learning environment. It was an exhausting day but fascinating day and we hope in the future that we are able to help both of these schools.

Philip playing football with some of the school kids at a community school in Amuru

Primary School in Amuru, mango tree classroom to the left and mud thatched classroom to the left

Inside the mud thatched classroom structure

Students sit on the ground; spots for two students are marked in the dirt

Head teacher Samuel with some of the school kids and District Education Officer waving hello

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