THE KAMULI BOOK WEEK REPORT
The National Library of Uganda organised 2011 National Book week festival on 10th-15th October, the theme “BOOKS BRIDGING THE GAP” The event was meant for all public libraries in Uganda and Uganda Development Services with its library in the Kamuli district took part.
This event saw schools both Primary and Secondary participating in debates, quizzes and colouring in.
A student having fun colouring her picture.
We looked at the many activities and projects which included the UDS Library, Computer training, internet, water tank project, smokeless oven project and the farming project.
I was representing the IT section........
Many schools, individuals and teachers visited the UDS computer training and the internet section and many of these wanted to know how computer and the internet can make an impact in literacy. I confidently expressed how a Computer is instrumental in Education, I gave them a view of what happens at University level. I explained that if you lack computer knowledge it can be a challenge. So I advised them to carry out computer lessons as early as possible so that they can type assignments,send an assignment via an email address etc.
I continued by advising students who study music to also gain good computer skills to help them in todays techno. world
Many schools, individuals and teachers visited the UDS computer training and the internet section and many of these wanted to know how computer and the internet can make an impact in literacy. I confidently expressed how a Computer is instrumental in Education, I gave them a view of what happens at University level. I explained that if you lack computer knowledge it can be a challenge. So I advised them to carry out computer lessons as early as possible so that they can type assignments,send an assignment via an email address etc.
I continued by advising students who study music to also gain good computer skills to help them in todays techno. world
We looked at how to use flash, CD, DVD or floppy disk and then store them to your computer.
A pupil from Trinity primary school asked what a computer was?
I tried to help by showing them each part of the computer, its name and at the end of all I told them that the combination of all those parts makes a computer and then they said Eehhhehh .....meaning they now understood the computer......
I tried to help by showing them each part of the computer, its name and at the end of all I told them that the combination of all those parts makes a computer and then they said Eehhhehh .....meaning they now understood the computer......
Another Pupil from Bazallel preparatory primary school said that she wonders what they use the mouse for?
Basic questions......Well many questions including many secondary school students asked a lot about software, etc.
Basic questions......Well many questions including many secondary school students asked a lot about software, etc.
During the internet session I demonstrated how the internet can act like an encyclopaedia. I gave some websites as examples to the source of literacy such as www.s-cool.co.uk for the secondary school material such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics , Mathematics, Geography, History etc.
I also demonstrated to the primary pupils how important the internet is to them; I gave them an example of some of the websites they can browse in terms of games and some more creative and educative like www.playkidsgames.com which had Mathematics, Alphabetic, Vocabulary, spelling etc.
Most of these students and pupils found this so strange and miraculous and actually they never wanted to leave the internet session.
I also demonstrated to the primary pupils how important the internet is to them; I gave them an example of some of the websites they can browse in terms of games and some more creative and educative like www.playkidsgames.com which had Mathematics, Alphabetic, Vocabulary, spelling etc.
Most of these students and pupils found this so strange and miraculous and actually they never wanted to leave the internet session.
I then showed how they can use the internet to acquire scholarships, to do online education and to link up with other students from all over the world through the social networks such as www.facebook.com, www.youtube.com etc,
Quotes from the participants.
A student from Central College Secondary School called Kasima Gloria wanted to extend the computer lessons to schools so that even those students that board can benefit and get a chance of acquiring more computer knowledge.
She also wanted to spread computer training and internet to rural areas. She explained that most of the students come from urban areas during school time and that she is in the boarding section so after school she returns to her rural home far from her school. She advised UDS to push such services to rural areas so that such students like her can also get a chance to train computer and gain knowledge.
Mr.Gabula, a Journalist explained how UDS has helped him, he started by narrating a story on how he used to struggle to send a news report to Jinja through the Tax drivers which was so expensive and sometimes it could reach late. Since UDS resources in Kamuli his work has been much easier,costs reduces as well as improved timekeeping. He continued by explaining how UDS taught him to type, edit sound, attach it and send via mail to his bosses in Jinja..
WHAT I REFLECTED
I identified a need to sensitise local schools regarding computer knowledge and internet opportunities.
I also express an interest of extending the service of Computer training to schools as Gloria advised.
We should take these services to schools just as the book box took its course. This is the only way of preparing children and students for the real world today. I realised with shock, that all the schools that participated in the event had no computer lab or computer lessons. They therefore teach the old way, and only teach children and students how to read hard, pass and get good grades. They don’t prepare them for the world today.
We should take these services to schools just as the book box took its course. This is the only way of preparing children and students for the real world today. I realised with shock, that all the schools that participated in the event had no computer lab or computer lessons. They therefore teach the old way, and only teach children and students how to read hard, pass and get good grades. They don’t prepare them for the world today.
CHALLENGES
Some of the challenges with this event especially in the IT section was electricity shortage.
I also found it hard to explain to little children what a computer was since most of them had never seen it physically so it required a lot of time to explain.
CONCLUSION
As I conclude I thank the Lord who made the event move well throughout the week and the UDS Management which included the Executive Director Mrs Epodoi Rita who was so busy scrubbing the carpet the first night of the book week The Program Manager Mr. Yiga Andrew who took part in each and every department of work to make sure that things where doing well (I remember seeing him being part of the team that made sure that the tents were up),he was also the MC on the final day,
The Program officer Geoffrey who cleaned the tables and chairs every early morning and then teaching children how to read, write, colour and draw , leading the children in quiz and debates. Grace and Michael who mopped the all flow both within and outside UDS, Mr Geoffrey Ssentamu the driver who gave support to all departments(Tent, mopping, lifting chairs and tables, cleaning the tables and chairs and at the same time driving here and there), Mr. Lodda Charles all the way from Kampala to Kamuli gave support in putting up the tent , chairs and tables and making sure everyone received a soda, The Librarian David and Chris a volunteer where busy making sure that the books for the exhibition were already laid on the tables then Peter who made sure that he registered each visitor who attended the event and finally myself making sure the projector was up and all the information available.
Big up to all of us who made this event to a grand success May the almighty continue to bless UDS and each one of us in his accordance.
Big up to all of us who made this event to a grand success May the almighty continue to bless UDS and each one of us in his accordance.
Thank you
Robert Ssebuliba. K
UDS IT Project Officer
Kamuli, Uganda