From Father Dominic:
Five years ago no one could imagine that Rubanda community would ever be connected to the Global GPS.
There was hardly no piece of information on the net one could find about Rubanda. Mentioning the word technology in Rubanda community would sound funny and strange as many would wonder what kind of animal it was. But today, things have changed. Everyone wants a phone, a computer and to be modern. One feels left behind without technology which seems to have come to stay.
In the year 2000, one could hardly make an online research about Rubanda or even find its location. Rubanda Solidarity is proud of being among the first institutions to introduce this little rural and isolated community found in the south west Uganda to the search engines by its online publications. Today it’s no longer news but attracting a huge number of talented indigenous and international man power to write and know more about the community and its needs of development. And indeed Rubanda has lots of opportunities to offer and poverty related concern that needs both local and international efforts.
Locally, young generations are getting attracted to these new opportunities. They are very responsive but greatly need community role models to continue to inspire them. There is also a new trend coming up among the elite class in the community who mainly live in urban communities where they went for employment and better life opportunities. In the recent years, there is a change in attitude with many local people investing in the community of origin for development. For example many are now engaged in projects like construction of private schools, tea plantations, query mining and so on. These are all new opportunities of development for young people and a break through from the stereotype mind..
The Government too is getting more committed to providing basic means of infrastructure to development. The recent government developments are; Kabale Kisoro Road that connects the south western communities with DRC that has been tarmacked and the ongoing construction of Mbarara-Kabale-Kigari highway. The connection of the community to the National electricity power line through the Uganda Rural Electrification program is another huge asset for development.
These developments are gradually accommodating the highest percentage of the young generation commonly known as .com generation. It’s a vibrant generation which, however, needs the way and the means with technology being one of the best means on menu right now. Rubanda Solidarity views technology as of very great importance to rural development and strives to integrate it in its quality education system as much as possible.
Right now our pilot projects are on basic computer teaching, Kindlereader program to school children and developing modern ways of communication within the administration, donors, sponsorships and so on. So far so good though low levels of education to the highest percentage of community members is the biggest obstacle that requires constant education and guidance that can be time consuming and costly. However, lots of efforts are being made and many generous people responding to our needs.
Tukamushaba Bonaventure is one of the first young breed who has been offered the opportunity into basic computer training in order to train others. Tukamushaba is a high school graduate, passionately in need of continuing to persue his college studies. In the mean time he is excited to serve the community by introducing a basic course in Computer Information Technology. In return it build his confidence and adds value to his education levels and expands his future education and employment opportunities. Life skills are as vital as one being self employed in a community where employment scourge is on the rise among the growing number of idle youth and graduates in Uganda.
In the photo below are some of his first computer class students enjoying the class.
Tukamushaba Bonaventure offering computer basic class to his first students, Nov. 2014