Magazine – Focus areas

Education 2018-04

April 2018 – Everyone to school… on the school bus!

Traffic in Uganda isn’t exactly the same as in our cities with the roads particularly chaotic during the rush hour as cars, boda boda, lorries and other vehicles criss-cross haphazardly and the deafening noise of horns forms the soundtrack to the urban jungle.
Getting around on foot is therefore very dangerous. Yet, every day many women stand at the roadside to sell vegetables, often taking small children with them, and many students walk to school.
Schoolchildren often leave home very early in the morning, walking a long way with friends or older siblings to get to school.
With around 250 of the 1000 children at BCK Primary School living a long way away, it became clear that a new school bus was required also to help students from further afield.
The school’s existing bus was in a poor state due to the many miles it has clocked up and could no longer serve all the children that required it.
We immediately informed our donors of this pressing need and they generously responded, making it possible to purchase a new bus.
Finally, in April, the new bus arrived at BCK Primary School and the enthusiastic and joyous reactions of the children made it clear just how much they welcomed it.
Naturally they couldn’t wait to try it, but before its “trial run” Father Isidoro blessed the vehicle with the children singing during the ceremony.
The teachers then allowed the pupils to climb aboard the new bus, which they did with great excitement.
The new school bus is a real source of pride for BCK Primary School, so much so that even now, weeks after it arrived, the school looks after it as if it were a real “jewel”. It is now used regularly to transport the children but the cellophane that covers the seats has still not been removed. When we ask why Father Isidoro replied: “Well, at least this way everyone can see it is new!”.
Our sincerest thanks go to all the donors that made the purchase of the new bus possible.
The journey between home and school will now be quicker and safer for all children.