By Chris Woo
- Geneva Global Uganda has donated 41 bicycles worth 28.7 million UGX to speed school learners in Oyam District.
Geneva Global Uganda, an international non-governmental organization, operates in 10 districts in Uganda, including Oyam, Namutumba, Kalaki, Amuria, Agago, Alebtong, and Kitgum, among others, supporting the education of children. In Oyam District, they are supporting 900 learners who had dropped out of school in the greater Ngai and Otwal sub-counties.
Benson Walter Dilla, the LC5 Chairperson of Oyam, expressed deep appreciation for Geneva Global Uganda’s life-changing initiative. He called upon parents, facilitators, and learners to ensure that these bicycles serve their intended purpose, pledging that the district will do everything necessary to ensure that the donation is well maintained.
Sgt. Shilaku James, the Resident District Commissioner of Oyam District, noted that the bicycles arrived at a crucial time, as some beneficiaries were walking over three kilometers to school, leading to lateness and absenteeism. He pledged that his office, along with the education department, would closely monitor the speed school project to ensure its success.
Benson Ongom, the District Inspector of Schools in charge of Oyam South, who also serves as the District Focal Point Person for Geneva Global Uganda, explained that 30 bicycles were given to speed school learners while 11 were allocated to community-based facilitators. He emphasized that the intervention by Geneva Global Uganda and other partners has greatly reduced the dropout rate from 23% during COVID-19 to 22.3%. He urged the parents of these children to ensure the bicycles are used only over weekends and during holidays so the right beneficiaries can use them effectively for learning.
Akengo Hellen Kella, the Programs Manager of Geneva Global Uganda, reminded beneficiaries that the bicycles remain the property of Geneva Global, and they retain the authority to retrieve them from any beneficiary who misuses them so they can be reassigned to someone else.
Isaac Oyuku, a community-based facilitator in Otwal Sub-county, expressed his gratitude to Geneva Global Uganda for the timely support. He noted that they had been experiencing high rates of absenteeism, especially among learners walking long distances of about three kilometers or more. With the provision of these bicycles, he expects significant improvements from both learners and facilitators.
