Mustard Seed Academy.....
Welcome to a Model School.....
Over the wall view of the 'Uganda' campus of Mustard Seed Academy
Currently the Mustard Seed Academy "Uganda" campus is situated in a residential area close to where most of our children live. A combination of permanent and temporary buildings surround a central garden on a leased property. Temporary buildings were completed in early 2009 for the start of school in on February 1st. Last year RPU helped Tree of Life Ministries purchase a new 2.5 acre plot on the same road that is currently under development. The new campus was dubbed "America" by the older students, who proudly proclaim that "only English is spoken here!" Primary 4 and 5 students have their classrooms on the new "America" campus. This year (2011) the 3 Nursery classes have moved to the America campus with one occupying a classroom in a new permanent building.
Educational practices in much of Uganda are geared to very spartan learning conditions. Up to a hundred small children may crowd into a room with a single teacher. Few or no learning supplies and materials are provided, and often food is offered only to those kids whose families pay. At Mustard Seed Academy, class sizes are relatively small (35), teaching and learning materials are provided, and all students eat nutritious meals. These are a few of the "adjustments" we have made, and it shows dramatically in the behavior, health and performance of MSA children. And they love being at school; teachers have to chase them home in the afternoons!
Educational practices in much of Uganda are geared to very spartan learning conditions. Up to a hundred small children may crowd into a room with a single teacher. Few or no learning supplies and materials are provided, and often food is offered only to those kids whose families pay. At Mustard Seed Academy, class sizes are relatively small (35), teaching and learning materials are provided, and all students eat nutritious meals. These are a few of the "adjustments" we have made, and it shows dramatically in the behavior, health and performance of MSA children. And they love being at school; teachers have to chase them home in the afternoons!
Mustard Seed Children.....
Children from the town are enrolled starting at 3 years of age into the "baby" class of the preschool. They progress to the "top class" over the next two years and are ready to enter Primary 1 at the age of 6 or 7 years. The children represent a cross-section of the town and come from Protestant, Roman Catholic and Muslim families.
Many of the children are orphans living with extended families or with a poor single parent; most of the rest are classified as "vulnerable" because they lack food security (will I eat today?), access to health care, and lack of needed adult supervision. |  Only a few are from families who pay part or all of the school fees. Most kids speak a tribal language, Luganda, in their homes, but learn English at school. When they enter school, most are small for their ages and some are obviously malnourished. After just a year at Mustard Seed Academy there are dramatic changes in their health, confidence, and behavior. Nearly all kids are happy at school. About 245 of the children are sponsored by American friends. Many more await sponsors. Learn how you can Sponsor a Child...
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Above, left: Peter Katongole shown here with RPU President Joe Griwold is disabled and an orphan. Without his American sponsor he could not attend school. Above, right: A few of the 182 children who participated in a drawing workshop led by Board Member Kathryn Hiscock during a special Saturday session. Kids learned to draw a lion using shapes they knew. Recently, many of these kids saw real lions for the first time on a field trip to the Entebbe Zoo.
Care of the Children.....
The faculty and staff at Mustard Seed Academy work to care for the "whole child", not just to educate them. Each child has a uniform package that includes a "dress up outfit" which is green and white checked, and a "sports kit" that consists of green shorts and a yellow logo tee shirt. Each child receives one or more meals per day, depending on the length of their school sessions. Students receive emergency and periodic health care through the cooperation of Kalungi Health Clinic. And children participate in learning activities, tailored to their age and individual capabilities. English language learning is emphasized throughout, but especially in the pre-school years. Finally, teachers provide for spiritual growth of the children, especially through songs, story telling, and the witness of their personal behavior. Individual religious difference are respected and MSA does not proselytize children who are of different faith traditions including Protestant, Roman Catholic and Muslim. Learn how you can provide for a child...
 'Dr. Peter' Kizza examines and MSA student as part of the health care program at Mustard Seed Academy. |  Primary 4 class in temporary classroom. MSA classes are small in size, have good supplies and learning materials, and are filled with happy students. |
The Mustard Seed Academy Campuses.....
Closing activities at the new America campus of MSA
The original campus of Mustard Seed Academy is on land leased by Tree of Life Ministries. Permanent buildings were modified for offices and classrooms, and temporary wooden classrooms were completed in early 2009 for the start of school. Later in 2009, RPU provided the funds for the purchase of a 2.5-acre campus that is occupied by the Nursery school and has a farm. This "America" campus is located about 1/4 mile away on the same road as the original "Uganda" campus. A preschool, perform- ing arts venue, medicinal garden, poultry hous and playing field are among the key permanent elements that are being developed here. (See Campus Development...).
Curriculum and Instruction.....
Student in P-5 reorganizes a sentence in English class. Note school motto on her shirt.
Instruction in the pre-school and nursery focuses on English language learning and foundational information and skills. The approach uses active learning as much as possible with a variety of strategies. One that is particularly successful is using song and dance activities, so that children are singing songs that teach them not only the English words but also associated actions and objects. In "Parts of My Body" children demonstrate and move the parts as they name them during an active group dance, and counting activities might have them simulate picking mangoes or other fruits. Children at the ages of 3-6 have special abilities to pick up languages and produce the correct sounds, a capacity that declines later for most individuals. Students frequently perform their songs and skits as part of special all-school celebrations called "open days" near the end of the term. Proud parents and guests witness, firsthand, what they have achieved. Curriculum in the primary levels is specified, in part, by a government curriculum that identifies objectives of the instruction. Because Mustard Seed classes have no more than 35 children per teacher, compared to more than three times that number in many government schools, the teachers can provide individual attention to each student. Children and their teachers are provided with far more learning materials and supplies than typical Ugandan schools, so a great deal can be accomplished. Learn how you can donate for Learning Materials.....
The Faculty and Staff.....
The faculty of 13 certified pre- and primary school teachers offer regular and special subjects to the more than 350 children at Mustard Seed Academy. Most teachers live in apartments rented by the school right in Lukaya. All teachers are provided with two "meals" per day, with a supple- mented coffee break in the morning and a large lunch in early afternoon. They also have a health allowance. Teachers have a long day, arriving about 7am when children start arriving on campus, and many do not leave until five.
NEEDING SPONSORS......
NEEDING SPONSORS......
 Teacher Julius is an outstanding new teacher of students in upper primary. An articulate, enthusiastic man, we look forward to his contributions for many years. |  Anthony is joined our staff in 2011 and immediately distinguished himself as an effective teacher with many talents, including music and sports. |
Edith joined us in 2011 and teaches lower primary classes, Primary 1-3.
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Ruth is another strong addition to our Nursery school, sharing duties for the 3 levels. She especially works with Middle and Top classes getting them ready for primary school.
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The faculty is led by Head Teacher John Robert Inyalio. The teachers are energetic and willing to help in a variety of tasks including coaching sports teams, organizing celebrations on open days, and serving in the parent-teacher organization.
Three retired educators who traveled with us in February observed and co-taught with our faculty members. They were unanimous in their praise for the quality of the MSA Teachers.
For teachers, salaries range from $1500-3600 annually and benefits include food, housing allowance, and health care. Eight teachers are sponsored by families in the United States. Staff member are $600-1,000 per year. To learn how you can sponsor a teacher or staff member, Contact Us.....
Three retired educators who traveled with us in February observed and co-taught with our faculty members. They were unanimous in their praise for the quality of the MSA Teachers.
For teachers, salaries range from $1500-3600 annually and benefits include food, housing allowance, and health care. Eight teachers are sponsored by families in the United States. Staff member are $600-1,000 per year. To learn how you can sponsor a teacher or staff member, Contact Us.....
