Judy Rimmer has brought news and photos from her visit to Uru this summer - See the 2009 gallery for lots more photos!
Kisarika Secondary School
Form 5 Centre – We were told initially in March that the Tanzanian Government Inspectors had said ‘no’ to Form 5 starting in May 2009 as the necessary facilities were not all in place. However, they recognised the need for this level of education and they changed their minds, giving permission and support to open.
Kisarika Form 5 in 2009
In May 42 students were enrolled to Form 5 (see photo), a great achievement for such a young school. They were all boys as there is only one dormitory facility at present. The money for 2 of the 3 classrooms required (see photo below) was raised through Sweyne Park School and friends, £5340 has been sent out. Currently there are no former students from Kisarika’s Form 4 last year. However, Mr. Macha, the head teacher, will be assisting his students with their Form 5 selections in good time this year. The Library is completed and of course there are excellent kitchen and dining room facilities. The dormitory being used was built a few years ago with funds from elsewhere. Another Science lab is still needed.
Marie Taylor from Sweyne Park and her colleague Jane Davenport climbed Kilimanjaro in August to raise money for 3 causes, one of which is Kisarika Form 5, and the latest figure we have is that a total of over £3000 + gift aid was raised. 
Headteacher’s House – This is very close to completion. Yet again work has been delayed because of the urgency of other work such as Form 5 buildings. It now has power and the windows are nearly all in.
Other developments at Kisarika (not UNCODET/BTT) – Mr. Macha has built a maize mill to grind all the maize for the school lunches on site and prevent the students from having to walk about 2 km during school time to get it done. It was built with money raised through the community and is also a facility for community use. It is making a good income for the school. This shows the school is not depending entirely on BTT help but using its own initiative as well as looking for funds for specific developments elsewhere.
The Pig Project –
Pig Project Residents - Aug 09
This is a project which we knew had been completed, but Judy’s visit this summer was the first opportunity to get photos. This project is now well underway. The photos show the impressive wooden building housing 8 3-month-old piglets at present. They come in at 6 weeks when weaned. At 6 months the males and some females go for sale and other females are kept for breeding. There are extra rooms for females with young.