School whizzkid excels in sports

The idea that sports is a great way to facilitate academic achievement has been a subject of much literature and commentary but the empowerment function of sports in this area has superceded many arguments. While many parents in Uganda discourage their children from sports in fear of their children failing to perfom academically, a 12 year old boy at a Kampala Orphanage thinks otherwise.
Johnson Musinguzi's tale as a hopeless boy from an impoverished family whose only redeeming force was soccer is touching. Born in a family of five Johnson's siblings dropped out of school as their father could no longer afford to raise their school dues. Consequently he relocated the family to the village.
It was Johnson's extra-ordinary football talents that saved him from joining his siblings in the village, he was taken under the care of a football coach who persuaded his father not to relocate him to the village arguing that his talents would best be developed in the city center where resources were available and to this he has never regretted.

The little boys was later through acquaintances brought to the Kampala School of Excellence Children's Home where the offer of shelter and an education seemed a lifetime opportunity. Johnson's talents were soon identified and he was selected on the School's Junior soccer team. However one thing remained unclear to him, how would he manage both soccer and class. He found many of his colleagues not so much interested in making academics a priority, this he had realised when his academic progress dwindled drastically.

While he loved the sport and being part of a school group, Johnson appealed to his carers at Kampala School of Excellence Ministries Children's Home to relocate him to another school as to get more concetration in academics. The results were unbelievable, despite having to contend with the challenges of adapting to a new school environment, under a different set-up Johnson's progress report for the First term at the Crane Educational Center were motivation.
According to his class teacher, Johnson only needed a little supervision to make the best grades and soon he was at the top of his class. Johnson is in his final year in primary school and has topped his class twice. His teachers hold confidence in him and believe that he will score a first grade in the Prmary Leaving Exams due in November 2010. He is quick to adapt to new situations and is flexible with challenges.

Beside class Johnson has established himself as an outstanding football player, gifted with a swift left foot, he has scored a number of times for his school football team for which he is their captain. Johnson recently scored a Hatrick in the School's league for his school. He is also a first team player in the Kampala school of Excellence Juniors soccer team.

Besides football johnson participates in athletics and Volleyball. He represented his school in the National school athletics Championships at Kyambogo early this year and will be participating in the National Primary school's volleyball tourney soon.

Meet Martin Sewakiryanga,a teenager with many dreams.

They say, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a few steps and this could be true of a teenager at the Kampala School of Excellence Children's Home. Martin Ssewakiryanga who makes 14 this year has established himself as an outstanding character amongst the members of this institution.

He may not be quite as intelligent as Johnson Musinguzi who tops his class at Crane Education Center but definitely Martin is destined to prosper with his other interests.

Martin is among the members of the orphanage Art and Crafts group, a passion he shares with Noah Ssenkumba who is his best friend. The two have made beautiful craft and Art materials and have distinguished themselves as ambitious young artists.

But these are not enough for the boy who came from a troubled background with an abusive family, he has a passion for agriculture and animal rearing. Despite the fact that the children's home is located within an enclosure with limited space, Martin dream of having a farm has not been shattered. He has undertaken growing of different food items wherever possible and these have included potatoes, beans, maize corn and Cassava.

Martin is also the owner of three hens which he has reared for the last three months. He bought the chicks from his little savings and is destinedto reap "big" from his sweat.

" I will sell each hen at 10,000 Ug Shs, i will do this during the festive season when the demand is high" says Martin. Martin's are broilers which look for their own fod, he doesn't have to collect food for them. He has build an enclosure just below the water tower where he keeps them away from cats and dogs in the area.

Besides Art and agriculture and rearing birds, Martin plays football for the Kampala School of Excellence Junior team. The left footed player is also a starter on his school's junior and senior teams and has represented the school in both football and athletics.

Martin attributes his character to the ambition to succeed in life made possible by hope he has had since he was admitted at the children's home two years ago.

''Maybe i would be a different person, i was not at the home, i have got a lot of encouragement and guidance which helps me in my activities"

According to the KSEM Director Daniel Ntale, children like Martin need to be assisted in their interests. "He may not be doing well in class but we identify a talent or capability which we build upon to enable him have a brighter future"

And that is the essence of identification and talent development.

Pass It on Soccer Donates to Kampala School of Excellence Ministries

A US-based international football charity has donated soccer balls and cleats to Kampala School of Excellence Ministries. The equipment which were picked from the postal service on Saturday 12th June were a result of a request made by the organisation a few months ago as a step to boost its youth sports programs.

The equipment included 20 soccer balls and 7 pairs of cleats donated by Pass It on Soccer, a United States based soccer charity run by Vivek Ramakrishnan. While distributing the equipment to the youth teams, KSEM Director Daniel Ntale thanked Pass It on Soccer for their support to talent development and urged other stakeholders in the country to emulate this example.

He also thanked the organisation's founder Vivek Ramakrishnan for his contribution in making the donation arrive to Uganda.

Pass It on Soccer works to provide sports equipment to underserved locations around the globe. It has sent soccer equipment to locations in the united States, Gambia, Uganda, Morroco and Afghanistan.

The organisation works closely with Soccer Beyond borders another US-based international Football charity orgnisation. Kampala School of Excellence Ministries worked closely with Soccer Beyond Borders'Ambassadors Jeff Fonda and Martino Simcik in July 2009 with the organisation of a soccer tournament for orphans, refugee and street children.

Children hold holiday closing party as Denise celebrates two years

Holiday time was a time for relaxation away from books, the children got to build their spiritual lives through a devotional course supervised by Bongole Patrick with the help of Geofrey our Home Warden.

The holiday was also time for sports and many members participated in different competitions of various sports. We crowned our holidays with a small party which coincided with the birthday of one of our friends baby Denise. A number of children from the community were invited to the hoome for the party which had a number of activities. Denise was marking two years.

The boys acted a play about street life and how their lives were being transformed at the Home, there was miming of different songs, a peagant where different wear was exhibited by children from the community. It was a wonderful way of bidding farewell to the holiday.

Children receive items from Daniels Promise Charity

The long-awaited shipment from Daniels Promise Charity has arrived giving children at the Kampala School of Excellence Ministries a reason to smile. The

The Consignment sent in March was received by KSEM staff from Salabed cargo on 29 May 2010 and distributed to the children on 1st June 2010.

The items included clothes, books, CD players, toys and a number of shoes both trainer shoes and school shoes.

The items were distributed to the by KSEM staff in full view of KSEM Director Daniel Ntale and all children received a number of items each. The Cargo included over 40 pairs of trainer shoes donated by Mr. Paul Watts the founder of PWP.com a global sport equipment stores.

We are grateful to all those who donated the items to the children. We extend our thanks to the trustees of Daniels Promise Charity Caroline Cardew Smith, Denise Gwatkin and Jill Gradon for the continued support to the children.

Barclays Bank Donates to Kampala School of Excellence Children's Home

The promotion of care and protection services to orphans and vulnerable children has been boosted with a recent donation of assorted items to the Kampala School of Excellence Children's Home by Barclays Bank Uganda , Nateete Branch.

The items were part of an innitiative by Barclays Bank Uganda to give back to communities. Kampala School of Excellence Ministries was chosen for its tremendous record in offering psycho-social support to Orphans and othe vulnerable children in the area on recommendation from local authorities.

The assorted items which included food items,mosquito nets, schorlastic material and balls were handed over to the Organisation's administrator Moses Kalanzi at the Ministry's offices.

While handing over the items, the team leader Catherine Nakalembe thanked the KSEM management and staff for the tremendous work in support of children and youths from destablised backgrounds and pledged the bank's support for such worthy cause in future when called upon.

On his part the KSEM Administrator Moses Kalanzi thanked the Bank and its employees for extending a helping hand towards the organisation. He reiterated the organisation's commitment to ensure better services for children and expressed optimism that this will be achieved with the intervention of key stakeholders such as Barclays Bank, Nateete Branch.

The bank employees were taken on a guided tour of the facility by the Administrator and later enjoyed games and made counselling sessions with the children. The employees later treated the children to snacks and drinks brought with them.