A word from Uganda school ahead of Roscrea fundraiser for two charities

The following is a message from Sr Mona Maher in Uganda ahead of the upcoming Roscrea Comhaltas concert this Sunday, March 10th.

Since Christmas the weather in Uganda has been very hot and dry, above 30 degrees usually.

 
Then on Sunday morning, February 24th, the heavens opened and we had a real nice tropical storm with an abundance of rain.  It was a time for Ugandans to rejoice; rain is a blessing (maybe not so in Ireland).  

It is a certainty that there will not be a famine for the next season at least.  For children the rain is a time to go out and play, for adults it is a time to go to the garden and dig. And so at Coloma, we have begun the New Year well.

The school year began on February 4th. On that day, 68 new children arrived to the school, 30 for First Class (6 - 8 year olds) and 38 for Third Class, as the school began a double class this year.  

Coloma is a boarding school and it really is something to see all the new pupils arriving with mattress, blanket, bucket, basin and suitcases. Very often, these items are being carried on the head of an adult. Ugandan children are very independent and unspoilt – there is usually not a tear shed by the children as the parents go home. The only tears seen are by the mothers!

I again thank Comhaltas for holding a concert for the children of the school. Were it not for the people of Roscrea and the surrounding areas, Coloma would still be a very small school. Over the years, you have built us up into a very good school that we are extremely proud of. Elizabeth and Theresa, whose education is sponsored by Roscrea Comhaltas are growing up and, thanks to you, have been able to get a good quality education at the school.  

Elizabeth is in her final year and will complete her final State exam in November. She is doing well and we expect good results from her, which will enable her to get into secondary school next year. Theresa is in Primary Sixth Class and so has another year to do. She works very hard knowing that it is only education that will help her to achieve something in the future.

 
I must introduce our twins to you. Last year a woman arrived to Coloma School by foot, holding two little girls, Monica and Maureen, by the hands. The mother already had six children when she gave birth to the twins.  Her husband disappeared on the day of their birth and hasn’t been heard of since. The mother tried very hard with the help of family and neighbours to rear the children.  

Now that the twins were ready for school, she knew she couldn’t cope and so landed them at the school. They were beautiful children and of course we took them in. They were really badly malnourished, so for 2018 the school fed and nourished them. They responded well in the school environment and, after a while, began smiling and playing with other children. Now they are in Primary 1 class and are very happy and bright.  

These are just two of many needy children at school.  They are our special care and thanks to many kind and generous people we can give them food and education. Be sure that the administration, the parents and the children will never forget you for helping these little ones.

Roscrea Comhaltas' fundraising concert will take place on Sunday March 10th at 5pm in the 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. All support is greatly appreciated.