Signs of hope

The ‘talking compound’ at Kakira Orphanage Primary School is a simple but creative method of urging a vital message on its students, some of whom are surprisingly young for such teaching, but very much at risk.

It is called a ‘talking compound’ because all around the playground, phrases and messages are posted on signs.

Found in very rural surroundings, with extremely limited facilities and resources, Kakira has just seven classes; four classrooms with three classes forced to use benches, blackboard and chalk under the trees.

The school is one of many that are being visited by BMS workers, Chris and Christine Leach. Chris and Christine are experienced teachers who have been working with the Baptist Union of Uganda (BUU) in Uganda since 2004 to co-ordinate and to upgrade their education programme for schools.Most recently they were involved in training teachers at Kakira in literacy, phonics, more effective teaching methods and in how to create their own classroom supplies, like alphabet charts and flash-cards.

Chris and Christine have been working closely with Juliet Gariwango, a BMS supported partner worker. Juliet is the BUU National Education Co-ordinator and she is already making a difference to the way in which Chris and Christine can develop an effective school support programme.