Sr. Annet Namakula, SND shares her report on the impact of recent technology upgrades at Notre Dame Academy, Uganda.
NDA gives women a chance to thrive and not just survive as their families have done for generations. NDA’s provides a multifaceted education, access to books, safe housing, clean water, and exposure to careers beyond subsistence farming. In 2020, the Advanced Level (final two years of secondary school) opened with support from the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame, donors in the United States, and a grant from the Hilton Fund for Sisters. So far the school has been performing very well and it is a joy to see the girl child excel in academics. The school is consistently ranked first or second on the National level. Last year they received a perfect score in the national rankings. I feel a great urge to help the girl child in all aspects of life and prepare them well to face the challenges challenges of life. As technology evolves, the girls need to learn to navigate the internet for research, exam prep, and future careers.
According to the Teacher’s Association of Uganda, introducing computer skills to rural children cultivates the following skills: technology, keyboarding, career preparation, and online access.
- Technology: Nearly all students will need technology skills whether they go to university or enter the workforce. Students learn at a young age how to use computers write reports and essays and research homework assignments.
- Career Preparation: Students in rural Uganda can benefit from learning spreadsheet, word document, presentation, and internet research skills. As Uganda develops technologically, all children will need skills to meet the new demands in the workforce. Without computer access, rural children will continue to face disparities between themselves and students in the cities with greater access to a variety of resources.
- Online Access: By learning how to use computers, students of all means and backgrounds have the opportunity to learn about issues facing the world at large.
The SNDs founded St. Julie Mission in 1995 and opened the secondary school in 2003. For the past 30 years, the impact on the local community, especially women, has been incredible. The introduction of increased technology and computer training for the secondary, especially Advanced Level, students will help to prepare these young women for lasting success in their education and careers. Their success will uplift other women and girls in Uganda and across Africa. The Sisters of Notre Dame have a devotion to the empowerment and education of women, so this project is a concrete step to nurture the futures of deserving women and girls.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Hilton Fund for Sisters, Notre Dame Academy Buseesa was able to purchase 20 computers for use by 300 students and their 20 teachers. As the photos depict, multiple students share one device in each computer lab session. The response from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. They shared several key impacts including: “We can now see what we are learning.” “Research is no longer a struggle.” “Learning how now become more fun and exciting.”
Though the school has always had excellent performance, this year the school witnessed improved scores on both the O-level and A-level National Exams due to the technology learning. The students and teachers conveyed a sense of empowerment and opportunity. The computers are a gateway to knowledge and new skills, helping the students to succeed as they advance in schooling and prepare themselves for future careers.
For us at the Notre Dame Academy Buseesa we look back with much gratitude to you for the impact you have enabled us to bring in the lives of the young women who have many aspirations for a brighter future. The most need of our day is to have not only basic computer skills but also to break barriers to career development in line with work force requirement in our today’s fast developing society. This project has already lead our students and teachers a step towards this goal. The school shall continue with the maintenance of the computers supplied to ensure that the future generation too benefit from the project. May the dear God bless you always.
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