Ikoba

We are partnered with Ikoba Secondary School, a small Church of Uganda-sponsored rural girls school, about 30-minute drive out of Masindi. It has four main year-groups, S1-S4 (Years 8-11 equivalent), with a growing sixth form (S5 and 6). Most of the students board (this is usual in Uganda). Madame Ruth is the Headteacher, Chaplain Fred is the Partnership Co-Ordinator.

The SMRT travelling party this year included Mr Planter, Mr Miller (Caretaker) and Mrs Duzniak (Assistant Headteacher and partnership Co-Ordinator). We arrived in Uganda on Saturday 15 February and, after a long journey, reached our hotel in Masindi. On Sunday morning, we attended church with the Headteacher (Madame Ruth Ahurra) in Masindi. From Monday through to Friday, we were in the school where we observed lessons, taught lessons, interacted with staff and students and generally participated in all school activities.

The trip was both humbling and inspiring in so many ways.  We are keen to maintain the partnership and are thankful to all parents and carers for your support over the years. 

Our partnership started in 2006. This led to some exciting joint work in Science, Art, Textiles and Geography, for example. Students in Uganda love writing letters and a number of lasting friendships have started through this route.  
 
Faith and community lie at the heart of the partnership. We have found that Ikoba has a real wealth of faith, commitment, warmth, community and enthusiasm that is humbling. Consequently, as we develop the partnership, we want to keep the reciprocal visits at the heart of what we do. We value your prayers for this partnership as it is something that we have worked hard to maintain and grow over the years.

Many staff and students from each school have made a visit. Some SMRT ‘gap year’ students have spent three months living at Ikoba school and this has led to a real deepening of the relationship. 
 
Our Friends of SMRT (Parents’ Association) and some teachers, students and churches are sponsoring needy children to go through the school. 

We have publicised and fundraised in a number of ways and would be delighted if you wanted to join in with any aspect of our partnership.

Mrs K Duzniak
Assistant Headteacher (Personal Development, Community and Faith), on behalf of the SMRT/Ikoba partnership.