New And Returning Volunteers

Catherine Reising-Jones recently returned to Uganda for the fifth time accompanied by her husband, Jeff Jones, and brother-in- law, Peter Sims, to see that the 2010 school year starts off well. Catherine has played a major role in the secondary scholarship program and is well loved around the village. She has personally visited dozens of secondary schools in order to ensure that REACH children go to the best secondary schools in Uganda.

Carolyn Edlebeck also arrived recently in Bumwalukani. Carolyn will be spending the year in Uganda as the Volunteer Coordinator.  She is excited to support the REACH primary school, secondary scholarship program and village school outreach program. Immediately after arriving in Uganda, the group got to work!

In their first two weeks, the group organized the library, finalized plans for the new well project, taught basic computer lessons to P6 and P7, visited students in secondary schools, explored the various possibilities for solar energy and created profiles for the new P1 students.

It has been an action-packed couple weeks! Everyone at the school and the local villagers have been extremely welcoming and are grateful for the group’s hard work. “Well done!” is the common phrase used in Bumwalukani whenever someone passes a volunteer at work. The volunteers also had the pleasure of bringing sponsor letters with them from abroad. Upon entering each classroom, the children clapped and cheered because all were eager to read their letters. To all the dedicated sponsors: Thank you so much for taking time and writing to your child. It means so much and makes the students feel special! If you are interested in volunteering at REACH in Uganda, email volunteer@reachforuganda.org for information.

Leave a Comment