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Journey with The Walking School Bus across Uganda where we will volunteer with 3 of our partnered schools to improve access to education, trek through lush mountain ranges and coffee plantations, visit the town of Mbale, and see the magnificent Sipi Falls.
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This trip aims to mutually benefit our volunteers, partnered schools and communities through the implementation of our holistic approach to educational access while also providing volunteers with a unique experience to travel abroad and positively impact their surroundings and themselves. We will work with our partnered schools to: 1) Improve access to education and curriculum by building a solar reading lab to utilize our reading apps technology while working directly with the students integrating the reading app. 2) Improve access to nutrition by implementing our nutritional program which includes: a. Implementing a community supported agriculture program (CSA) at Namanonye Village which the communities and schools will maintain. The CSA farms help our schools in two distinct ways: incorporate agricultural best practices and education into the classroom. b. Building a water catchment system to provide a much needed water source for the village in order to maintain the garden during the dry season. c. Constructing a chicken coop and providing 150 chickens in order to provide eggs for the students, manure for the garden and a passive income for the community to sell the surplus of both.
Arrival
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Arrive at the Entebbe airport at approximately 9PM on March 13th (for those of you arriving earlier and wishing to leave the airport, there will be an additional pickup at the Beach Friends Hotel in Entebbe). We will be picked up by the travel company we work with: African Adventures and be driven to Nabagoye Hill (approximately 5-hour drive), which will be home base for 8 days. We will settle into our 18-person guest house.
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Following breakfast and a trip meeting, explore the natural beauty that surrounds Nabagoye Village. While exploring and getting orientated with the land, we will visit two of the schools that we work with: Semei Kakungulu High School and Hadassah Primary School. After lunch, head to Mbale town: go to the grocery store, use the bank, and explore. In addition, we will purchase the material we will need for our projects. Enjoy traditional Ugandan cuisine back at the guest house for dinner.
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Wake up to spectacular sunrise views from the Nabagoye lookout before driving to Putti Village where we will begin construction of our solar powered reading lab: prepare the ground for the container, gather wood with students from a nearby forest and pour the concrete foundation to set and dry for the next day. In addition, we will get Wi-Fi up and running and start testing/teaching how to use the reading app in the classroom. We are planning to gift the village an electric stove to improve nutrition and relieve amount of time/money spent by women gathering wood. Lunch at Putti. Afternoon projects: build a bookshelf and fill with gently used books that have been donated (early readers through chapter books). Dinner back at the guesthouse.
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After breakfast, head to Namanyonye Village to begin our agricultural work. After touring the village, we will choose a location for the water catchment system and ensure we have all of the necessary materials close by: bricks, cement, gutters and downspouts. Begin the CSA garden by clearing land, setting the perimeter and fencing it off. We plan to finish work by 2:00 and have lunch with JJ Keki and his community before heading out to a beautiful hike where will will visit the old Rock Synagogue.
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Arrive at Putti Village by 9:00 and continue working on the Reading Lab Project, specifically, mount the container onto its platform and ensure it is sturdy. Once sturdy, the team will add insulation, cuts for windows and add the solar panels. Another group will be building the desks, benches and mounts for tablets. ***Note- projects will be continued on DAY 6 In the evening, enjoy an incredible Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat Synagogue service with the whole community; all faiths are welcome and attend the services. The service will have a remarkable Ugandan twist including drums and dancing.
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After breakfast, journey to Sipi Falls for spectacular rock climbing. After hiking the Sipi Falls loop, as well as venturing into the remarkable cave formations and exploring the impressive fauna and flora, return to Sipi camp for a late lunch. Stop in the Mbale town, visit the market and buy crafts and souvenirs.
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After breakfast, return to Putti Village to complete the solar reading lab and complete construction of desks and chairs. We will spend some time working with the students, reading and teaching them how to use the reading app. When our work is done at Putti Village, head out on a spectacular hike at Mount Elgon and tour the beautiful coffee plantations.
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Return to Namanonye Village and complete the water catchment: mount 1000L container, attach gutters and downspouts and plant the seeds for the garden, completing the project. The team will finish the construction of the chicken coop. Enjoy a casual and fun filled evening at the Mbale Resort where we will swim and have dinner http://www.mbaleresorthotel.com
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After breakfast we'll say our goodbyes and head to Entebbe Botanical Gardens which overlook Lake Victoria for a late lunch before flying home.
O Total cost per person for the trip is $1200.00 CDN which includes all food, transportation and accommodations (excludes airfare to and from Entebbe). In addition, we are asking that each participant raise $2000.00 to contribute to the projects in Uganda. TWSB will help you meet your fundraising goals by creating fundraising pages for each participant. You will be issued a tax receipt for the full $2000 raised. If you would like to join for this remarkable adventure, or have any questions, please contact us. t
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