Beans Means Brains is a project run by Sustainable Communities Network (UK) Charity No. 1109945
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A school lunch programme to improve the education, health and life chances of Ugandan children
Buhumba Primary School, Uganda
One of the two older classroom blocks, both in a poor state of repair. There is no electricity or mains water at the school and classroom windows have no glass, despite a climate similar to a cool UK summer.
One of the two older classroom blocks, both in a poor state of repair. There is no electricity or mains water at the school and classroom windows have no glass, despite a climate similar to a cool UK summer.
Originally founded in the mid 1980’s by the community, and later adopted by the local education authority, Buhumba Primary School has three classroom blocks. The two original buildings are in a very poor state of repair, but a newer government-funded block does house 4 classrooms and a small office.
There is no electricity or running water at the school. They are dependent on collecting rainwater for cooking and drinking and when this runs dry, it is a very long, steep haul down to the lake and back for water - a role carried out by a long stream of children.
The school is overcrowded with up to 100 children in a class at Primary 1 level. As in most Ugandan schools, the drop-out rate is quite high - something we are hoping lunch will improve. Class sizes at the top end of the school are smaller, but still over 40 children to one teacher.
Resources are scarce. There are few text books and virtually nothing on the classroom walls - a far cry from the colourful and stimulating displays in UK schools. Teachers are paid directly by the government and some text books are provided from time to time. In addition to this the school gets just £100 per term for everything else. It is not unusual for the Head Teacher to end up paying for chalk out of his own pocket by the end of term.
Buhumba Primary School