A word from Dame Diana Rigg
30 March 2009
I was greatly looking forward to visiting Uganda and seeing for myself the work done there by Build Africa. Over the six days of our stay we drove down rutted tracks, deep into the countryside, visiting five schools and a community rice-growing project. At every school the children gave us a rapturous welcome, followed by speeches from the Head, representatives of the Parent Teachers Association, the community and local officials. All were touchingly grateful for the amenities donated by Build Africa; indeed the organisation was frequently complimented on never failing to deliver on its promises. At every school the same needs were listed - a bore-hole, housing for the teachers, sports facilities and books. At every school the same ratio was repeated: one book between ten pupils. It struck me forcibly that Build Africa should now mount a campaign dedicated to providing the necessary number of books for each class within every school. Books, irrefutably, are the one essential means of education and without them the teachers are frustrated and their children will continue to be handicapped by ignorance.
A final word to compliment the teams in Kampala and Kumi. They were dedicated, knowledgeable, practical and full of laughter despite the difficulties of the job.