Like many countries in the world, Uganda experienced a very strict lockdown in the spring of 2020, which helped to reduce the spread of the pandemic (although at considerable social and economic cost, especially for those already living in poverty).
On June 6th, 2021, following a substantial rise in COVID-19 cases, the President announced a second lockdown. Restrictions were further tightened on June 19thfor a further 42 days. At present all Ugandan schools are closed, there is a strict curfew in place and only essential workers with permits are allowed to move.
In these challenging conditions, Nyaka continues to work to support students, grandmothers and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) survivors, whilst taking all possible precautions to protect our community and follow government directives.
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From everyone at Nyaka in Uganda, we thank you for your continued support!
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During the first quarter, Nyaka students completed their national exams. These exams determine whether or not students pass to the next grade level or graduate. The exams students took include the Directorate of institution training (DIT), Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) exams.
52 students from Nyaka and Kutamba Primary Schools took their PLE, 32 students took their UCE exams, 16 Vocational year 2 students sat for their DIT exams, and 23 Senior 6 students took their UACE exams. Due to COVID-19, all students are currently at home waiting for results to be released by the Ministry of Education and Sport (MoES).
Until all students return to school, the MoES has donated Home Study Learning text books for Nyaka Primary School students and we continue to create and distribute additional study materials. Teachers have continued distributing study materials for vocational students who have not yet reported to school by traveling to visit students or having students come to the Kutamba and Nyaka libraries to pick their materials.
Also, 51 Nyaka vocational students are benefiting from a Grad Prep Program. This program offers additional support to students so that they can compete in the job market after they complete their courses. To keep students safe, this program was virtual, with each student accessing a CD with the recorded preparation materials. Students actively learn about a range of topics, including: goal setting, social media, financial literacy, job applications, resumes (how to tailor them to job advertised), cover letters, hiring processes, how to network effectively and benefit from it, and how to network with new people.
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In Mid-October, schools reopened for the candidate classes of P7, S4, S6 (Grades 5, 10, and 12 equivalent) and finalists in tertiary colleges/universities.
Nyaka was thrilled to welcome students back to school after seven months of mandatory countrywide lockdown. Since their return, we have been following the Ugandan Ministry of Health's guidelines to keep students, staff, and the community safe. Soon after NVSS students returned, they began doing their part to help keep campus safe. The NVSS construction team built an in-ground system for the removal of wastewater from hand washing facilities and art students took part in designing and hanging up posters on COVID-19 control around the school.
We all remain hopeful that we will have all our students back in class soon. We are still awaiting guidance from the Ugandan government to let us know when non-candidate classes will be able to return to school.
Thank you for your ongoing support during this time.
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Recently Victor, a primary seven student, took a moment to write a reflection on his time at Nyaka. Victor expressed his gratitude for his opportunity to receive an education and for you, our Nyaka donors that help make his education possible. "I thank Nyaka for what it has done to me and my fellow orphans," expressed Victor.
Victor wrote about his dreams of continuing his education to become an engineer after graduating from Nyaka. A hope-filled Victor says, "Before Nyaka...I had no hopes of going to school." Your gifts aid us in providing Victor a life-changing education at no cost to him. Victor can just be a kid and focus on his studies instead of having to find ways to pay for his tuition, meals, uniforms, medicine, textbooks, or other scholastic materials. Victor is able to play the sports he loves including soccer and basketball in his free time, thanks to your continued support.
Victor ends his reflection by writing, "Long live donors and well wishes!"
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During the last few months, although students are not yet able to attend school, educating students has remained our top priority. Our teachers have been traveling across Kanungu and Rukungiri districts, providing educational materials including study packets and library books to our students, and working with individuals and small groups. Nyaka staff members are following strict COVID-19 protocols to keep themselves and the community safe.
During the Ugandan President’s address on Sunday, September 20th, he shared information on reducing the covid -19 restrictions nationwide including the reopening of schools for predetermined candidate classes and students.
We can’t wait to see our students back in the classroom!
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