James and Phoebe Gonahasa receive ETFO International Humanitarian Awards
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario recently recognized Durham residents James and Phoebe Gonahasa with its 2019 International Humanitarian Awards. James is a teacher at Sir John A. McDonald P.S. in Pickering. The couple co-founded Amazing Love School in Uganda and have grown it from 46 students to more than 300. – Photos by James and Phoebe Gonahasa
DURHAM — James Gonahasa is a teacher in two different worlds.
This year, he will be teaching Grade 4 and 5 French immersion students at Sir John A. Macdonald Public School in Pickering.
Last year was spent at Amazing Love School in Uganda — a vibrant community hub that he and his wife Phoebe Gonahasa co-founded and have poured heart and soul into growing.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) recently recognized the couple with its 2019 International Humanitarian Awards.
ETFO president Sam Hammond says their work is giving people hope.
“With their school and community skills building, James and Phoebe are helping to break the cycle of poverty in this village.”
The Gonahasas got their start in humanitarian work after visiting Uganda in 2001 and seeing what they describe as the “appalling” state of education after years of political instability.
“The classes were crowded due to lack of adequate infrastructure and the teachers’ morale was low,” James says in an email from Uganda.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario recently recognized Durham residents James and Phoebe Gonahasa with its 2019 International Humanitarian Awards. James is a teacher at Sir John A. McDonald P.S. in Pickering. The couple co-founded Amazing Love School in Uganda and have grown it from 46 students to more than 300.
So, they used their own savings to start Amazing Love School in Phoebe’s home village of Nakyere. It opened in 2006 with 46 kindergarten students, three teachers and a cook.
The school has now grown to more than 300 students from kindergarten to Grade 7, as well as 14 teachers and five support staff.
A non-profit organization called Amazing Love Development Organization was created to help raise money and steadily grow the school.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario recently recognized Durham residents James and Phoebe Gonahasa with its 2019 International Humanitarian Awards. James is a teacher at Sir John A. McDonald P.S. in Pickering. The couple co-founded Amazing Love School in Uganda and have grown it from 46 students to more than 300.
Every summer, the Gonahasas travel to Uganda to supervise work as the school expands, and provide support to students and teachers — they also spent the whole 2013-14 and 2018-19 school years there.
James says Amazing Love School has had an immeasurable impact on students and the entire community.
“There has been a great reduction in the number of girls married off early and fewer children are working as house maids or farm labourers during school hours,” he says.
And that’s just one example.
Literacy rates have improved, children have access to the playgrounds and sports fields, spinoff jobs have been created and new businesses have opened nearby.
Solar power at the school allows lights for children to study at night in a village where there is no electricity or running water.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario recently recognized Durham residents James and Phoebe Gonahasa with its 2019 International Humanitarian Awards. James is a teacher at Sir John A. McDonald P.S. in Pickering. The couple co-founded Amazing Love School in Uganda and have grown it from 46 students to more than 300.
Students can do skills training in areas like brick laying, carpentry, farming and baking, while a Heart to Heart program teaches about healthy relationships and academic success.
Sweet potatoes, cassava, fruit trees and corn have been planted in gardens on the school property.
Amazing Love School even houses the only library in the district, with visitors coming from as far as 50 kilometres away to see it.
“The village has become vibrant with hope and expectation,” James says. “We have seen children start dreaming again, parents regaining their hope and the community rejuvenated.”
Next steps for Amazing Love School include adding more classrooms, a computer lab, science lab, offices and accommodations for children who travel long distances to school.
There are also plans to install a security system, boost the solar power, complete the dining room, put in a new water system and obtain a school bus or van to transport students.
Anyone looking to support the Amazing Love School can make a donation online at www.amazinglovedevleopment.org or check out the third annual Taste of Africa fundraiser coming up Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. at the Oshawa Italian Recreation Club, 245 Simcoe St. S. in Oshawa.
Email amazingloveschool@gmail.com for more information about the event.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario recently recognized Durham residents James and Phoebe Gonahasa with its 2019 International Humanitarian Awards. James is a teacher at Sir John A. McDonald P.S. in Pickering. The couple co-founded Amazing Love School in Uganda and have grown it from 46 students to more than 300.
by Jillian Follert
Jillian Follert has been telling Durham’s stories for more than 15 years. She currently writes about education, food and business for Torstar’s community newspapers in Durham.
Email: jfollert@durhamregion.com Facebook Twitter
https://www.durhamregion.com/community-story/9567785-one-durham-teacher-two-schools-a-world-apart/
