August 2017

By: Gando

Namusis Constance, 38, (standing) says providing pupils with light in the early & late hours when the minds are fresh for revision can improve on their performance and extend their daily hours of productivity.

The experience of Together for Development one of STEP-UG partners based in Pallisa indicate that lack of energy for lighting has affected the performance of pupils. This was revealed in one of the meetings to review the school feed programme initiated by STEP-UG held at Kachango Primary school, Pallisa District.

Kachango Primary school is a rural based school which is located 25 KM from the Nation electricity grid North West of Pallisa east of Uganda. The school does not have any lighting facility neither do household. Whereas some members of the community can afford Kerosene (which is degrading to health and the environment) and local candle wax (Missubawa), the majority households cannot. This among others has affected the outcome of pupil’s education. Therefore, any friendly and health source of lighting can help to answer very many development questions.

Also the recent results of Uganda Primary leaving examination (P.L.E) released by National examinations board indicate eastern region of the Country as the poorest performing region in the whole country. For example, out of 80 Pupils who sat for Primary seven leaving examination to be promoted to High school, no child could score first and second grade literally meaning that all the pupils who sat in this school nearly failed and could not join high school for further education and this has been attributed to a number of factors but more especially Lack of light for pupil’s revision at night. This is a representative of 80% of primary schools in the region of eastern where we intend to put our efforts with One Million Lights.

Please donate now to bring opportunity to these communities. Each light will help accelerate a family and their earning potential in the community by extending their daily hours of productivity. “