Aims Of The Visit - To widen pupils’ knowledge and awareness of another culture;
- To reflect on what they can learn from first-hand experience and to share that knowledge for the mutual benefit of others;
- To continue to develop the Whitchurch-Mityana relationship (more..)
Experiencing The Culture
The pupils will be spending two weeks in Uganda – ten days in and around Mityana and four days on safari (they are raising the money to fund this through their own individual efforts).
Whilst in the Mityana area, they will spend much of their time in Mityana Secondary School.
Mityana Secondary School
Testbourne pupils will be buddied with Mityana pupils. They will share lessons with their buddies, and will therefore have the opportunity to compare subjects, facilities, resources and expectations of pupils, parents and authorities. There may also be opportunities to help with more practical tasks around the school.
Joining classes with similar age groups and subject interests, pupils will have the opportunity to understand the difficulties and challenges facing Ugandan students. In particular they may be challenged by issues related to Aids and other health problems, and the changing role of women in Ugandan society. The Testbourne pupils will also contrast the deprivation and difficulties faced by Ugandan pupils with their own material possessions, opportunities and security. There will be chances for them to explore these issues with their Ugandan friends.
They will see what it is like to have to walk two miles before school to collect water, do three hours’ homework with limited resources, and be involved in sibling care. They will have the chance to consider what it is like to live in a city of 40,000 where 60% of the population is under 18, and 10% are HIV+.
They will face issues of equality and reciprocity, and may well learn more from the Ugandan pupils than they can offer them. In and Around Mityana
Additional visits may include: - Local primary schools, both rural and urban.
- An orphanage, where they will meet children who are living with extreme needs.
- The Town Council, where the pupils will have the chance to consider the make-up of the local population.
- Local businesses and farming.
- Worshipping communities.
- A project aiming to give particularly vulnerable young girls and young men a skill to break the poverty cycle.
Reflection And Sharing Of Experiences The pupils will have the chance to collect information for case studies, especially in Geography and Biology, to use back in the UK. They will be able to feed into the Testbourne curriculum to enhance teaching and learning on global issues. They will give presentations to local businesses who have supported the visit, and to the school and school governors. They will be able to influence future fund-raising based on specific needs they may identify. Through their engagement with Ugandan communities they will have a better understanding of the impact they can have on environmental and other global issues. Above all, this visit is about developing a relationship which has enormous potential benefits for both communities. | 
