Celebrating at Royal School

Dan started his posts this morning by thanking God for the rain.  He said that it was a hard, long soak.  Hopefully this rain helped to fill their empty reservoirs.

We need to remember to -

Tuesday morning the Team got to meet the children of Royal School.  Each morning the children stand in line with their class.  After singing and praying on Tuesday the Mountain Lake Men took over.

Click here to view the outside of the school building.

Annet introducing the Mountain Lake Team

Dan introducing the Mountain Lake Team individually.  (Dan's phone battery must have run out of battery before introducing Caleb and Curt)

The Team shaking hands with the Baby Class

Mike handing out Pencils

Handing out School Bags (Thank you Alliance Missionary Church Family)

Waiting for their School Bags

Hip-hip-hooray

In One of the Classrooms (with new benches and tables)

The men have eaten so many pineapples and they keep requesting more. 
Today's crop from the Royal School Farms produced 19 of them.

Pineapples and more Pineapples


Today they Team made tables for every teacher's residence and two stools, 24 tables and 60 stools.  The teachers are so excited.  Up to now, they only have a bed in their rooms.  My wife Renae, six months ago paid for glass in their windows and curtains, so now they're really starting to feel settled and appreciated.  (side note:  The wood the men are working with is hardwood.  However, this wood has just been milled and not dried.  So, it begins to mold immediately if stacked.  Mike had to drive to town today to buy more bleach for the wood.)

Please pray we can build sleeping rooms on the school grounds for seven more teachers. Four of our current teachers are living in huts nearby that we rent for $15 a month. They have no security, no toilet facilities and they are jealous of their fellow teachers. Our average teacher makes about $100 a month. They also get to eat the same food as the children for lunch but are responsible for all their other meals

Some of the teachers have their children at the school. One child goes free, additional children are given a reduced rate

Because our pay is so low, we mainly have entry-level teachers.  The teachers move on when they find a better paying position. But, Uganda produces many teachers every year, so there is a bit of a glut.

Instead of starting a Senior High School, which requires many additional teachers, we have decided to start a vocational/technical school. Many of our seventh grade graduates will not be able to afford to go to high school and this way they can at least learn to do something. The classes we offer will include carpentry, hair dressing, auto mechanics, tailoring and computer.