Race to Build the Houses: Balya vs. Komwiswa Fundraising Event

The time has come to focus our attention on the living conditions for the students at the school. We are in an ongoing race to rebuild the houses. As mentioned in the previous newsletter, the first house to raise 80,000,000/= ($40,000) is the first house to provide a safe, secure, hygienic, healthy and positive atmosphere for the students who currently live in the dormitory.

PLEASE JOIN US AT PROTEA HOTEL ON SATURDAY 7th AUGUST AT 7:00PM FOR OUR FIRST HOUSE FACEOFF.

Because Balya and Komwiswa Houses are in the lead in regards to their fundraising, they will be the first houses to take part in the competition. This event will focus on raising funds for the two houses and will be a rivalry to see who can raise more. Come prepared to support your house or watch as your fellow old students compete to be the first ones to rebuild their dormitory.

The evening will be a fun filled event where the two houses will literally compete against one another to be the first to 80,000,000/=. All old students from Balya and Komwiswa should come prepared to battle it out and raise the funds for the school. All other students are welcome to attend to participate or watch the festivities.

Entrance and dinner is 50,000/=, tickets can be purchased at the door.

For more information visit: www.nyakasuraschool.com or www.nyakasura.blogspot.com, call +256 772 500000 or email nyakasura@gmail.com

CEO MAGAZINE ARTICLE JUNE

The article looks a bit small, but if you click on each photo a larger version appears. Enjoy!!

Mentoring Program

Dear Nyakasura School Students and Well-Wishers of the School,

I would like to tell you more about the Nyakasura School mentoring program that is beginning in July.   

Former students of the school are committing to spending a Saturday at the school talking to the students about their futures.  Most of the mentors will provide career mentoring for students who are planning  the next phase of their lives be it university studies, learning a trade or entering the work force. The mentors will talk to the students about what it is like in their respective careers, how they got where they are today and what choices you have as you enter a certain career.

Mentors will also have the opportunity to address such topics as HIV/AIDS awareness, Drug Abuse, Human Rights, etc.  

Finally, mentors will also talk about the importance of CV writing, interviewing tips, and other soft skills that are often undiscussed.

It is a simple program and only takes one day out of the lives of the mentors, but provides an immeasurable benefit to the students at the school.

If you would like to participate please email us at nyakasura@gmail.com.

Update from Fort Portal

I've just returned from Nyakasura School where I spent about two days assessing the water source and why there is the tremendous shortage at the school. A contractor will be writing a report summarizing the work to be done so the Alumni can provide water to the students 24 hours per day, ridding the school of the awful pit latrines and the horrible bathing facilities.

I had the opportunity to see the ram system that is currently pumping water to the school. This system, working like a vacuum, has been pumping water from the stream to the school for nearly 80 years. The technology is nothing short of amazing, especially considering the time period it was installed. It seems the problems with the water supply are stemming from leaking pipes, which need to be replaced due to the leaks and because they were constructed from asbestos. This is a video of the ram pump in action.

I also had a wonderful experience talking with many of the teachers and the students. All are very excited and eager to work together to bring Nyakasura to the forefront of education in Uganda. We had open forums where each group could discuss their concerns about Nyakasura School and their visions for the future of the school. I was very optimistic when I left and felt like every one was on the same page and had the same vision for Nyakasura.

I can't wait to go back to the school with more good news from the Alumni. This project is nothing short of remarkable, and all parties involved are aware of this fact as proven by the energy exuding from the stakeholders as they discuss the possibilities that lie in wait for Nyakasura School.

I'll be sure to keep you informed as things continue to progress!!

Renovations at Nyakasura

Although we are all racing to repair our houses, our first goal at Nyakasura is to install plumbing at the school to improve the water supply. The students currently have access to running water for one hour per day, making life very difficult for the students and increasing the likelihood of disease and sickness.

Installing indoor plumbing and water is a massive undertaking that involves installing plumbing in nearly 50 buildings.

This is a map of the school with the proposed layout of the pluming.

Race to Build the Houses!!!

We are currently raising funds to repair each of the houses at the school, but we cannot begin construction until we have the full 80,000,000/= ($40,000) needed to repair a house. This amount includes power, water, toileting facilities, etc. in addition to the infrastructure of the buildings. People have already generously contributed… but we’re not quite there.

So far we’ve raised:

1). Balya House: 11,625,000/=

2). Komwiswa House: 6,800,000

3). Commander House: 2,300,000

4). Apollo House: 1,650,000

5). Kasagama House: 1,400,000

6). Cooper House: 1,300,000

7). Damalie House: 1,150,000

8). Perens House: 0

THE FIRST HOUSE TO REACH THIS TARGET IS THE FIRST HOUSE TO BE REPAIRED.

Come on Old Boys and Girls; let’s get these houses built –

SEND YOUR DONATIONS NOW!!!

A Huge Success

For those who attended the Nyakasura School Alumni Dinner on 15th May, you already know what a huge success the event was. This evening marked the beginning of the revival of the school. The Board of Directors of the newly formed Nyakasura School Alumni Limited planned the event and only expected about 150 people to attend... but nothing could keep the Old Boys and Girls of Nyakasura School away from the chance to support their school. Nearly 300 people crowded into the conference hall at the Protea Hotel on Saturday night.

The evening was remarkable. Guest speakers included, but are not limited to Professor Edward Rugumayo, Honorable Tim Lwanga, General Tinyefuza, Honorable Beatrice Kirase, Mr. Patrick Bitature, and Honorable Adolph Mwesige.

Together this group of Alumni pledged to give US$150,000 (Ug Sh 300,000,000/=) an amount that is truly remarkable in one night of fundraising.

Pictures and videos of the speeches will be posted soon. So come back tomorrow to learn more about the event, the future plan and upcoming events.

To all those who attended, I thank you.

For those who were unable to attend, please know that it is not too late to be a part of the revival of the school. Join us at upcoming events or make your donations to Equity and/or Stanbic Bank.

Together we can look forward to a brighter future for Nyakasura School.

For more information call 0772 500 000 or email nyakasura@gmail.com.

Photos from the Alumni Dinner 15th May

Professor Edward Rugumayo, Mr. Patrick Bitature, and Dr. A.B.K. Kasozi energetically discuss the vision to revive the school.

Smiles adorned the faces of the former students of Nyakasura School. As people crowded into the conference hall the energy and momentum to revive the school escalated.

Old Boys and Old Girls of all ages attended the event. The younger generation was proud to attend and support their former school.

Honorable Margaret Muhanga, General Tinyefuza and Honorable Tim Lwanga share a laugh during one of the many entertaining speeches that night.

Justice Tabaro and Professor Rwabukwali discuss the 5 year plan to revive the school while enjoying the delicious meal that was served that evening.

Martin Mwhezi and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya eagerly await the start of the dinner.

Assad Mugenyi models the Nyakasura School uniform as Mr. Kajabogo Ka-Rusoke reminisces about his days wearing the kilt.