By Alex Gahima
The community of Mutanda Island in Mutanda Village, Muhanga Parish, Nyundo Sub County, Kisoro district have a reason to smile after the only school on the Island has been propped up with an assortment of learning materials, donated by Well-wishers through Rotary Club of Kisoro Mgahinga.
Mutanda Island Primary School is three classroom block that was constructed and commissioned in February 2022 with the support from Rotary Club of Kamloops Day break.
The school that has only three classes currently (Primary one to Primary three) with a population of 40 pupils is under the instruction of two dedicated teachers.
Bosco Nizeyimana, the Chairman School Committee says, before the helping hand of Rotary Club of Kisoro Mgahinga, the hopes of ever having a school on the island of Mutanda were slim at best.
According to Nizeyimana, parents on the island had neglected the thought of educating their children because the nearest Government school in Iremera is a lengthy boat ride across Lake Mutanda which is simply too risky.
Heroes to the rescue
A small delegation of Rotarians from Kisoro Mgahinga, flanked by Past President Ezra Ndagije, braved the choppy waters of Lake Mutanda on the 9th of June 2023 (Heroes Day) to deliver an assortment of reading materials to the school.
These included every day thematic Literacy textbooks, Comprehensive English reading and spelling course books, every day thematic Mathematics textbooks, coloring books, crayons, pencils and so much more.
Rotarian Gloria Sanyu, a banker by profession said through networking and speaking about the education gap on Mutanda Island, a well- wisher was able to support the club with the learning materials to take to the school.
“Among the items brought to school include wall clocks meant to serve as presents for the best performing pupils. This is simply an incentive to the young children not to give up on education because it is the key to a successful life”, Sanyu explained.
Augustin Mbonigaba, the proprietor of St. Allen Primary School in Kisoro Municipality said supporting the children of Mutanda Island with skills of reading and writing will go a long way in preparing them for a bright future.
He urged parents to send all their children to school and ensure to follow them up so that no one drops behind because groups like Rotary Club will continue to lobby for support to boast education and health on the Island of Mutanda.
Phionah Bahungirehe, Language teacher, trainer and translator donated several books in Rufumbira to inspire the young learners never to forget their mother tongue.
Bahungirehe explained that being on an Island can be limiting physically however through reading stories and embracing education, the possibilities of traveling the world are endless.
Rotarian Alex Musime, an educationist said the School that was set up by Rotary Club needs to be picked up by Government because it is offering a vital service to a community that has been neglected for long.
Gertrude Nyiracyiza, class teacher for Primary one said Rotary Club of Kisoro Mgahinga is a beacon of hope among the households of Mutanda Island because the children now have a fighting chance to be people of substance in the future.
She explained that more well- wishers need to come on board to support the school that still needs more teachers with adequate pay as well as housing facilities to accommodate them so that they are not far from the school.
The Parish Priest of Muhanga Parish, Fr.Julius Bazamanza who was present challenged parents to value education if they want their children to have a brighter future.
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