Developments in Coloma

Since first opening its doors to vulnerable children in 2010, Coloma School has faced many challenges.

One of these challenges has been constant water shortages due to world climate changes. Thankfully with the help of benefactors, a lot has been achieved in the last two years. In 2017 a borehole had been drilled and at a depth of over 100 metres, a plentiful supply of water was found. By means of solar power, a submersible pump carries the water to reservoir tanks from where the water supplies the school by gravity. Thanks also to proceeds from the previous concert held by Roscrea Comhaltas, Coloma School purchased two water harvesting tanks which have enabled them to conserve every drop of rain water.  During 2018, for the first time in years, there was no water crisis and a greatly reduced water bill.

 

Over the years, Coloma has been recognised for providing good childcare and nutrition. The main food offered is posho (milled maize) beans, rice and groundnuts. These are served with greens, tomatoes and onions. On special days, the children eat meat, millet and cooked bananas (matoke). As the school has continued to grow in numbers, a substantial amount of food is needed each year for approx 300 children and 65 staff.

During 2018 alone over 56,250 kilos of beans, maize, rice, millet, sugar and groundnuts were consumed. Cooking large quantities of food every day in their small basic kitchen was proving very difficult but thankfully, a new smokeless kitchen has been built and 8 energy saving stones were installed. Although this was very expensive to construct, it has already proved very beneficial. Day to day running of the kitchen is more manageable, less time consuming and one third of the firewood previously being used is now saved.

 

With sincere thanks to donors, 2019 is already starting to see many positive developments for Coloma. Plans are now underway to have the first floor of a new dormitory ready for an intake of 40 vulnerable children for primary 3 class. These children come from extreme poverty but will now have the opportunity to receive an education and learn life skills which will be of great benefit to them and their families in the future.

The pupils and staff of Coloma would like to thank Roscrea Comhaltas for all their efforts with organising their upcoming concert. Although Sr Mona and Sr Eileen left Roscrea for Uganda in the 70s, the support they have received and continue to receive from the Roscrea community and beyond never ceases to amaze them.

Roscrea Comhaltas' fundraising concert will take place on Sunday 10th March at 5pm in Racket Hall Roscrea. This promises to be a fantastic evening of music, song and dance performed by local artists. Admission is €5 for adults with free entry for children. A monster raffle will also take place on the night. All proceeds in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland and the Sr Mona Maher Uganda School Project.