Shikombelo Primary

This is the school in the village of Julius the jeweler. A few years ago with a Rotary grant we put in a well on the school grounds and also protected a spring nearby. Today we were in the school and watched a line of women carrying away clean water in 20 litre containers (on their heads of course). Later a young man was busy filling more containers. It is serving the community well.

Three years ago we did Read for the Top in class 6, also with a Rotary grant. This class did their primary school leaving exam last year (grade 8) and were the most improved school in the district and in the top ten country wide. Although they no longer have the books (attrition helped by rats and mice who seem to love the taste) they still use the strategy and are continuing to improve their results.

Last September the Canadians who came to train instructors for the Math tutoring centre donated a soccer ball to the school, then left some money for us to buy two more balls. When we took the balls today we learned that the school team won first place for football in the district and today was off with the original ball,in a fresh competition. The balls we took today were greeted with shouts of joy as the children  rushed from their classrooms followed by a loud 'Asante' Thank you.

With the new constitution, schools no loner have the old British system of 'head boy' and 'head girl' but rather the 'President' and the 'Speaker'. The girl is apparently the Speaker, although I'm not sure if this is a firm rule.