These children are saying "Asanti Sana' (Thank You).
A year ago, four members of the Rotary Club of Newbury, UK visited the island of Ukerewe in Lake Victoria, Tanzania to evaluate previous projects. Following this visit they launched an appeal for support to supply primary schools with desks and benches. Thanks to donations from a number of Rotary Clubs, including Arnprior, they have been able to supply 126 desks and benches to 5 primary schools.
The teachers are so pleased and have appealed for more desks. Currently the Newbury Club is looking to supply at least 100 more desks.
Ukerewe is the largest inhabited island in Lake Victoria ac-cessed by 3.5-hour ferry journey from the nearest Tanzania town of Mwanza. The island has a population of 350,000, mostly subsistence farmers and fishermen. Its remote location has perhaps contributed to its under de-velopment. The infrastructure of schools, hospital and health centres are precarious and the facilities minimal. A whole generation of young people have been caught up in this cycle of poverty and deprivation – it is not their fault. They deserve support. With generous support from Rotary and others we have im-proved water supply to some schools, built toilets, equipped science lab, library and have introduced IT studies - a lot more remains to be done.
Made locally by Vocational Trainees
The desks were made on the island by pupils of a Vocational Training School. Each desk cost £16 for materials and labour.
The desks are made from hardwood by local carpenters working with traditional tools. As part of Rotary's ongoing commitment, Newbury Rotary also sponsored the planting of many trees and invited the guests to plant saplings of timber trees.
