I have been at KAASO Primary School in rural Uganda for four weeks now. I have been made to feel so welcome, not only by the students but by the staff and community as well. Over the last four weeks I have been learning their way of life, building relationships, observing their educational system and getting a feel for their strengths, weaknesses, challenges and limitations.

One of the things I asked for early on was a photocopier to help me prepare some of my lessons. I was told that they didn't have one and it had been an issue for them for a while. I witnessed the nursery teachers writing the letters of the alphabet into each of their 70 students books so they could copy them - rather than being able to create one handwriting worksheet and then make copies. I heard the senior class teachers getting exasperated because their students have 30 days left until their national examinations and they want them to sit as many practice exams as possible. But without a photocopier, the secretary first needs to re-type the whole exam so that she can then print enough copies from her laptop - rather than just creating copies of the previous exam papers that they already have. I heard the headmistress humbly mention once again that she really needs this photocopier to support her staff and senior students.

I felt that this was a need where a little money could go a long way. So I sat with the secretary, headmistress and IT guy and discussed how we could not only get them a photocopier but what else they would need to get their school office running efficiently. The $5,000 USD I am raising here will cover a new 3-in-1 photocopier/printer/scanner, two new laptops, power requirements, supplies of paper and ink as well as transport, installation and training to get them up and running. This campaign is open for 30 days but my goal is to raise the funds within a week! I will go to Kampala as soon as we have the money to purchase the new equipment and get it to the school.

Thank you in advance for helping the students and staff of KAASO Primary School in Uganda!

For more info on KAASO, visit www.kaaso-uganda.org