Our strategy is critical to the success of the Girls' School development programmes for several reasons:
- Parents are more supportive of their daughters' schooling if the family can reap benefits almost immediately; otherwise, the girls' absence is often viewed as lost labor.
- The girls are more apt to succeed in developing themselves and their households in the context of a supportive family environment.
- Achieving integrated rural development in the areas of income, health and social relations is a complex task that requires commitment and action from the individual, family and community.
In 1989, Nsungwa, 52 years old, mother of five, woke up one day to find her husband gone, leaving her to provide for their family on their 2.5-acre piece of land. She managed to look after the children, but could not educate them all because of lack of income. In 2000, her daughter joined URDT Girls' School in Primary 5. She planted sugarcane and green vegetables for her Back-Home Project. The whole family was involved. Even when her daughter was away at school, Nsungwa wanted to make the project a success. As a result, Nsungwa sold the sugarcane, increased her savings and constructed a better house with iron sheets and better walls. Their diet is also complemented by the green vegetables and eggplant initiated by her daughter. Nsungwa hopes to earn more money from the sugarcane to cement the floor of her house and feed her children well.
Two Generations
The Girls' School provides programmes that support the development of both the future generation (students) and the current generation (parents). This two-generation strategy is critical to the success of the Girls' School development programmes.
URDT's two-generation strategy is implemented through two programmes:
Back-Home Projects
Back-Home Projects are a number of connected development-oriented activities carried out in the homes of the students over a period of time. The aim is to improve the student's living conditions and social relationships at home while at the same time demonstrating to parents the value of school learning, not only to the individual student but also to the whole household.
The school does not believe in blueprints on Back-Home Projects. Rather, they enlighten the students and parents on the possible types of the projects they can embark on and encourage them to choose and design a project that aligns with their vision.
Back-Home Projects focus on the major areas of concern in students' households:
Economic Development – Farming methods for food security and a stable income; cash crops production and marketing.
Personal Development and Physical Care – Nutrition and food security, prevention of diseases and hygiene, prevention of early pregnancies and HIV/AIDS.
Sociopolitical Development – Creating respectful, loving and gender-conscious relationships; human rights, women's and children's rights.
Appropriate Technologies – Construction of energy-saving equipment, bathrooms and toilets; rainwater harvesting.
In 2003, about 48% of the households' projects focused on growing crops, 18% on sanitation and hygiene, and the rest on construction, handcrafts and livestock. Benefits realized were improved sanitation (30%), health improvement (20%) and increased income (27%).
Two types of workshops are offered:
End-Of-Term Workshops are facilitated by students to teach parents what they have learned during the semester that can be applied at home.
Tailor-Made Workshops are facilitated by URDT staff and may take place in the parents' homes.
Jump to:
Girls' School Overview
Visionary Approach to Development
Co-Curriculum on Rural Development & Visionary Leadership
Student Characteristics
Learning Structures That Engage
Microcredit Fund for Parents
Results and Looking Ahead