Skills development is critical to rural development, especially in predominantly agricultural communities. ALDO is investing in developing young leaders.
Leadership Component:
- The elected school council and a team of elected school prefects have done a phenomenal job in acting as a link between the student body, the school boards, teachers, and parents.
- Children lead school clubs and programs like heart-to-heart and community ambassadors, and they prepare reports for the administrators about student welfare, school rules, and academic needs. The first-ever science exhibition in the district was led by our students.
- ALDO and the teaching staff regularly conduct training sessions for school leadership in organizational and effective management principles. The two school boards (Parent Teachers Association and the School Management Committee) have been trained in their responsibilities and they are doing a wonderful job in working with the community.
- Student ambassadors provide reports of what the community thinks about the school and the impact the school has on the community.
Skills component:
ALDO is fully aware that some of the children may not be able to afford high school fees. Based on that fact:
- ALDO introduced clubs to teach children practical skills like baking using a local oven within the school, making baskets, pottery, making brooms, music dance and drama to help equip children with income-generating skills. Every Friday afternoon is dedicated to these activities. Children select a different skill each term that they want to learn.
- Every year, five teachers and 20 - 25 children participate in the annual National Agricultural show, which is held at Jinja Show Ground, 50 miles away from the school. The event attracts different players like manufacturers of agricultural machinery, farmers, and research organizations to showcase the different foods, tools, and equipment used in modern agriculture.
- Students learn about the different breeds of animals like cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep and the different animal feeds and common diseases that affect animals and their treatment.
- All teachers and support staff have been trained in how to use and care for the laptops. They have mastered using the Word and Excel programs. Currently, some teachers are preparing their long-range plans in anticipation of when the school re-opens. Administrators were introduced to the database.
- ALDO obtained 10 sewing machines that will be used once the workshop structure is completed. The workshop will also house carpentry and welding sessions. Young people will continue to learn bricklaying and modern farming practices.
- ALDO invites communities and national leaders to talk to the community of how to start small scale businesses and how to overcome mindsets that hinder progress.
- Plans are underway to broaden the inventory of skills available to the school community.
