30 July 2026
Before I share the latest Jinja adventure, I would like to thank you all for your support, it was especially good to be able to see so many of you at our dinner in June, to share our JET journey with you.
The summer trip focuses on the teacher training program. This year we had a vast wealth of expertise with teachers Sally, Liz, Rachael and Patricia, who have all been to Jinja many times. Headteacher Miles, making his first trip brought much experience, giving us an excellent overview of the schools, and mentoring the headteachers. His wife Shabana, a doctor, who advised the school nurses, and ministered to various poorly children. Their sons did sterling work playing sport in all the schools. Sandra and I were the support team.
The teaching team, under Sally’s guidance, plan this trip very carefully for several months, including regular online meetings with the JET staff. However, nothing compares with being together in person.
The schools are all encouraged to make their own resources using local products that are cheaply or freely available. So they can be easily replaced and sourced.
Having so much expertise with us really invigorates and energises the team. The schools love sharing their classrooms and greet the visitors as true friends.
The teachers in our JET schools have been well trained and supported by our team, resulting in the confidence to deliver excellent teaching and up to date teaching practices. This results in happy, engaged, self-assured children who enjoy coming to school.
The children are always so keen to learn, starting off with basic writing slates for the little ones, and getting online for the older children.
It was so encouraging to see how well the teachers in all the JET schools are embracing outdoor learning, after the training of the last two years. Essential for early years development, and with a constant warm climate it makes the best of the outdoor classroom.
Making this sustainable and accessible to all.
This has been long awaited and planned for. The other schools already have this facility and as our largest school, with over 800 pupils, Twinkle deserves to have this to complete the rebuild of the school. It will be ready for use for the new school year in January. The first day we were there they had the groundbreaking ceremony and by the time we left 10 days later the foundations were complete. Working all hours and weekends. I know if only!
Elijah already has computer-literate staff ready for the changes this will bring.
When we opened Great Hope new school buildings 10 years ago it was on the upper end of the school plot. We could never have imagined that due to the unusually heavy rains these days that the soil would erode so much that the main school urgently needs a retaining wall. This will hopefully be done in the next school holiday, otherwise the top primary classes will be in the playground.
Health and welfare have always been important to us as we look at the wellbeing of the whole child. We were so lucky to have Shabana with us, as she was able to delve deeper into the practices in the sickbays and homes, offering hands on support and advice. Shabana gently suggested, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to give antibiotics as a first treatment for a cut knee!
Dr Shabana in action, her expertise was most welcome and much appreciated.
The work of the matrons and school nurses is often overlooked, rather lonely and overworked, so they were particularly pleased to be taken seriously and treated as the professionals they are.
The unsung hero that is Sandra. With us on every trip, always smiling, encouraging, noticing when we need something, without asking. Sandra gets to know the children and sees when they need help, she dishes out the meals, talks to those on the fringe, buys treats and essentials, keeps everyone’s spirits up, gets the England shirts, reserves the best table and beers for watching the world cup! Teaching Florence Yoga was a joy to behold! Every trip needs a Sandra!
This home never ceases to amaze me how they care for these neglected children and send them out into the world confident, well educated and ready to take their place in the community.
One of the highlights of this trip was to see Cathy and Junior, the first Son Rise babies I met at the baby home 15 years ago. They are now grown up and in their final years at school. Junior (now Nicholas) wants to be an electrical engineer, Cathy a social worker. We hadn’t seen them for several years as they are at boarding school, but we had special permission for them to be filmed for the dinner. This will follow their story as they have grown up.
Ezra has been holding the fort for JET as Lorna has been in the UK for over a year now as she received intensive medical treatment.
He has taken on this challenging role with tireless compassion, dedication and a clear vision of how JET needed to move forward. Under his direction JET has completed major building projects, continued its teacher training, strengthened the IT initiatives, taken the JET training into the Kakira 7 schools. Most importantly he has steered the team through a difficult time with great sensitivity, to be stronger and more productive than ever; we are so grateful to him.
At the centre and forefront of all we do. All done with unending cheerfulness and positivity, whether it is meeting with headteachers, networking, supporting staff or even taking us to get supplies ( not his favourite task shopping!)
A few snapshots, thanks to Miles, of some of our week. The little boy above had made a push along toy with a bit of wire and three yogurt pots.
Every visitor has something to offer and we are grateful to everyone who makes the journey to see us and everyone who supports us in whatever way they can.
I couldn’t let this report go out without the biggest thank you to Lorna, she has dedicated her time to JET for 7 years. We have made huge progress under her direction. Had so much fun, as well as a few heartaches, but we have always come out smiling and on top thanks to Lorna, a wonderful colleague and the dearest of friends.
Thank you Lorna
Thank you so much from Sue and all of us at JET.
The Jinja Educational Trust is a registered charity in the UK (No.1107636) and a registered NGO in Uganda (No. S.5914/7950)