Kirima opens on new site
Children at the new Kirima site
Kirima Great Stewards Primary School has opened on its new site, across the road from the original
Kirima Parents' School.
The school has 292 320 children from Nursery to Primary 7, with 15 teachers and 9 ancillary staff.
There are separate toilet blocks for girls and boys, and hand washing facilities provided by water barrels with taps.
Recreation facilities include a flat play area with a volley ball net and a small enclosed play area with some equipment for the Nursery
classes. There is an outdoor covered kitchen.
Trustees reported they were given a warm welcome by everyone and were impressed by the happy, settled atmosphere and
loyalty of the team.
November 2023
Loving learning
Learning outdoors
It is an uplifting experience to visit the schools in Kanungu. The children are interested in everything, engaged in their lessons
and so happy to be at school.
I asked a boy if he was looking forward to the school holidays. He looked at me sadly and said "No, when I am is at home I spend
too much time carrying water and not enough time learning".
We know that education is changing their lives. They just know that they love it.
November 2023
A healthy start
Getting vital inoculations
Sponsoring children in Uganda to go to school doesn't just mean they get an education… it also ensures they have a healthy start
to their lives.
Child mortality in Uganda has halved in the last decade; simple interventions can halve it again.
At Kirima we make sure children get inoculations against killer diseases. We educate them in simple ways to stay healthy.
By passing on what they learn to their families, they can save the lives of their siblings - many people withhold water from babies
with diarrhoea, when simply giving them rice water is a lifesaver.
October 2023
Sports Day 2023
Uganda version of egg and spoon race
It was wonderful to see the children enjoying themselves at the 2023 sports day. Chatting to them outside the School
environment is a great chance to get to know them better and check their wellbeing.
Some of the races were just like at home, like the sack race, others had a Uganda twist, like the balloon run and the
vegetable peeling competition. The visitors joined in the tug of war, but it was declared a tie when the rope broke!
October 2023
The Cook
The cook in his kitchen
The cook is probably the most important member of staff at Kirima Stewards!
Children arrive at school hungry after a long walk with no breakfast. The school day starts with nourishing porridge.
Lunch is traditional Uganda "posho and beans". Posho is mainly made of maize flour and cooked in a giant saucepan. The
taste is more similar to rice though. Beans are poured on top to add protein and flavour. It is not very exciting but
is a nourishing, balanced diet and the children love it.
A full belly is vital to learning at school as well as their healthy development.
October 2023
New IT teacher
IT teacher using the new laptops
The school has recruited a specialist IT teacher and set up a new resource centre with the first 12 laptops.
Some of the children have never touched a computer before but they learn very quickly and are delighted with
their new lessons.
October 2023
Advanced primary education
Primary book (with cricket)
Children at Kirima Primary are taught to a high standard as the typical biology exercise books show.
The picture above shows an excellent understanding of the human blood circulation system and the one below our reproductive system.
One photo was taken in cricket season; vast numbers appear in November and the children catch them to cook and eat - a favourite delicacy.
Biology lesson
November 2019
Nature Walk in the Hills
Girls with grasshopper
When we visit Kirima, we always take a group of children for a walk in the beautiful hills above the school. The scenery is wonderful
and would be more popular than the Lake District if it were more accessible. But most of the children have never walked in their local
hills - walking is a chore rather than a leisure activity for the locals.
We explored the local plants, insects and agriculture (including examining a bee hive). November is grasshopper season - when fried they
are like whitebait and the children love them.
November 2019