School Partnerships

Schools across the district are getting involved with Keith GP Joseph Odeke’s vision to help the people of his home village in Uganda.

With the first of the three wishes just around the corner from fruition, school children are doing what they can to help other children and their families half a world away.

Chairperson of the Joseph Odeke Community Development Fund, Mig Brookman thinks it has been very good for these kids to have a bit more of an understanding about Dr Odeke’s country.

“A lot of them know him now as their doctor and it means more to know about where he has come from. Also, I think that the staff and students are quite excited about it being an ongoing project that will continue over the next few years,” she said.

“Most importantly, students will get some feedback on their donations as well as what might be useful in the future.”

Keith Area School

Keith Area Schools Reception to Year 6 SRC have been working hard to help the children of Atirir have access to a better education.

R-6 SRC co-convenor, Kim Atkinson said they were very excited to be part of this community project and that they would like to be part of the project in the future, seeing it as an annual activity.

“The students took up the project with enthusiasm and made posters and discussed the ideas in class meetings,” she said.

“We asked if donations of books, pencils, textas and exercise books be given. Many students had these items from previous years at school and were very generous in giving them to this project.”

12 boxes of donations were condensed into six, full to the brim of materials bound to help in the education of children in Uganda. On top of this the school was able to donate six computers to the project.

Dr Odeke and Mig Brookman attended an R-6 assembly to receive the goods.

Tintinara Area School

During the term, Dr Odeke visited Tintinara Area School and spoke to students about his home village, their way of life and what he is endeavouring to do to help them, by way of providing them with mechanised farming equipment.

Tinitinara Principal, Mr Jo Artz said the presentation was a really worthwhile exercise.

“You could see the thought processes of our students as they took in what a different world there is out there. The kids really took it on board and asked some worthwhile questions,” he said.

Students along with the Tintinara community have been collecting books, stationery items as well as clothing to be sent in the container along with the farming equipment to Uganda.

Padthaway Primary School

Padthaway Primary School has been busy with an initiative of their own, directed by Year 6/7 teacher, Pam Steer.

Year 6/7 boys have been working with Christian Pastoral Support Worker, Stephen Edwards repairing old bikes which have been donated to the project from people around the district. The bikes have had tubes replaced, chrome sanded, oiling and students have generally been ensuring they are in sound condition.

“I am working with two students in the classroom and it is an opportunity for hands on learning. We talk of lots of areas and some of this is where the bikes are going. I try to give the boys a picture of what life might be like for children in Joseph’s village but the project is more about building the boys up to be more confident in their abilities,” Mr Edwards said.

With bicycles being the main transportation, they will be a valuable donation to the people of Uganda and the boys can be proud of their accomplishment..

Photos

Uganda Keith Area School R-6 SRC is proud to be involved in the Joseph Odeke Community Development Fund project
Back: Blake Read, Selena Poliak, Daisy Hender, Mrs Paula Wegener, Dr Odeke, Mig Brookman, Sarah Malthouse, April Sanders, Ms Kim Atkinson, Harry Gilbertson and Harry Densley
Front: Jazz Gilbertson, Jorja Rowsell, Will Schreiber, Mitch Malthouse, Cody Laubsch, Megan Vermeeren, Callie Nicolai, Tom Malthouse, Nicky Taylor and Sam Gibbs.

Uganda 1 Padthaway Primary Schools Principal, Mr Harry Long with year 7 students, Clement Hicks and Patrick Leigh proudly display two of their repaired bicycles

Uganda 2 Christian Pastoral Support Worker, Stephen Edwards congratulates year 6 student Brady Marshall for his effort in the repair of bicycles.

Uganda3 Clement Hicks, Stephen Edwards and Patrick Leigh are proud of their achievements in helping others

Uganda4 Year 4/5 SRC, Brooke Finn and Madi Brock are excited they have been able to contribute school necessities and clothing to the project and think Dr Odeke will be very happy