Quotes, Stories and Poems

All rights reserved:The writer reserves the rights to this publication on this blog; and no form of it should be published any where without prior consent. For inquiries reach us on
+ 256 702 369 100 or Raising Empowered Foundation and Brian Kharis on Face book

For features,editing,publishing and creating/managing your blog, or any other related business partnering and appointments, please call  the above number.Remember to like IamBrianKharis on face book and follow me too on +Brian Kharis , the blog and  also on twitter @brian_kharis

Enjoy!

Inspirational, motivational and life changing quotes

Inspirational, motivational and life changing quotes that can inspire, motivate and transform your lives. After extensive reading and research, I came up with these quotes that can empower and help you gear up your lives; and also inspire you change others.Read,meditate and act them and surely your life will be blessed and never remain the same. They are enumerated as follows...

                    

1. The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers, but above all the world needs dreamers who do: - Sarah Ban Breathnach.
2. Lack of money is no obstacle, lack of idea is an obstacle:-Ken Hakuta.
3. No matter how small, acknowledge the achievement:-Grey Henry Quinn.
4. You will face many defeats in your life but never let your self be defeated: - Maya Angelou.
5. When it comes to critics, remember no body will ever get a head of you as long as they are kicking you from behind:-Tom Randall
6. If you find a path without obstacle, it probably does not lead you any where:- Frank A. Clark
7. The difference between the impossible and possible lie in a man's determination: - Tomy Losarda.
8. No pain, no pressure, no diamond: - Brian Kharis Okello.
9. Any one can be above any body, there’s only one who seats on the throne: - Brian Kharis Okello
10. Friends create comfort, enemies create change: - Dr. Mike Murdoc.
11. I don’t care what historians says about my role: - Condoleezza Rice.
12. I have always had a very optimistic attitude and I have always seen things as half full, not half empty: - Alicia Keys.
13. If you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run, walk, if you can’t walk, crawl. One day you will find your self there: - Apostle Julius Peter Oyet.
14. Every time you state whet you want or believe,you're the first to hear it.its a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don't put a ceiling on to your self :- Oprah Winfrey
15.    
16. Most people who make it in life don't loose hope,focus and are never quitters:- Steve Jobbs
17. The most common way people give up their power is by thinking you don't have any:- Alice Walker
18.  “I want people to feel like they can do anything.” –Big sean
19. Look,think about it,close your eyes,dream about it.Tell your team about it,go make million dollar schemes about it :- Big Sean
20. When you talk,you are only repeating what you know.But if you listen,you may learn some thing new :- Dalai Lama
21. Man the life of a workaholic...You either on ya work or just working on it :- Big Sean
22. I never want to look back on life and say i wish i did something,and don't want any body else to do that :-Big Sean
23. I just hate to loose.When am on court,it is like my life depends on it :-Serena Williams
24. I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but how they can recover when they fall :- Serena Williams
25. You have to believe in your self even when no one else does:- Serena Williams
26. If a plan A isn't working,I have plan B, Plan C and even plan D:- Serena Williams
27. The Success of every woman should be the inspiration to anther.We should raise each other up.Make sure you're courageous: be strong, be extremely kind and above all be humble:- Serena Williams
28. Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fall.Failure is another steppingstone to greatness:- Oprah Winfrey
29. Passion is energy.Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you:- Oprah Winfrey
30. Books were my pass to personal freedom.I learnt to read at age three,and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi :- Oprah Winfrey
31. No one ever thinks they are wrong,we say sorry or ask for forgiveness not that some times we may be wrong,but we would like to mend the relationship :-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
32. There will never be another you. To reach your highest potential,see yourself as Unique,as Gods very own master piece:- Joel Oesteen
33. In the world we are on transit but in the word of God which makes us out of the world we see eternity Criflo Dollar
34. I'm so proud of may of the things we haven't done as the things we have done. Innovation is saying no to a thousand things:- Steve Jobs
35. Being the richest man on the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done some thing wonderful...that's what matters to me:-Steve Jobs
36. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.They some how Know what you want to become:-Steve Jobs
37. You have to take criticism with a grain of salt because you're never going to please every body:- Yolanda Adams
38. Doubt is a killer. You have to know who you are and what you stand for;- Jennifer Lopez
39.   
    
40. Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their failure:- Napoeon Hill
41. Don't let the fear of loosing be greater than excitement of winning:- Rober Kiyosaki
42.     
43. I work hard for every thing i do have and not just given for goodness sake:-Donald Trump
44. For i tell you truly, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to and bear the name of Christ, will by no means fail to get his reward (Mark 9:41):- Jesus Christ
45. With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God (Mathew 19:26):- Jesus Christ
46. If you live in me- abide vitally united to me and my word remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you want and shall be granted to you (John 15:7):- Jesus Christ
47. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all things will be given to you (Mathew 6:33):- Jesus Christ
48. For God so greatly loved the world and dearly prized the world that He gave up His Only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings, relies on ) Him shall not perish - come to destruction, be lost - but have eternal everlasting life (John 2:16):- Jesus Christ
49. I am the way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by ( through) me (John 14:6) :-Jesus Christ
50. I assure you, most Solemnly i tell you, that you shall weep and grieve, but your sorrow will be turned into joy (John 16:20) :-Jesus Christ
51. For the Bread of God is He who comes down out of Heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33) :-Jesus Christ
52. This, when you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogue and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and praised by Men. Truly, i tell you they have their reward - in full already ( Mathew 6:2):- Jesus Christ
53. I came so that you may have life (enjoyable life) and life in full and in abundance (John 10:10) :- Jesus Christ
54. “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” Nelson Mandela 
55. Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own:- Michelle Obama
56. When i hear about negative and false attacks, i really don't invest any energy in them, because i know who i am :- Michelle Obama
57. As the young leaders of tomorrow, you have the passion and energy and commitment to make a difference. What i'd like to really urge you do is to have a global vision. Go beyond your country; go beyond your national boundaries :- Ban Ki-Moon     
58. We did not come to fear the future,we can to shape it :- Barrack Obama
59. Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for :- Barrack Obama
60. Probably my worst quality is that i get very passionate about what i think is right :- Hillary Clinton
61. Whether an MP is a woman or man, it's about the qualities of the individual in doing that job:- Theresa May
62. Family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organization and nation :- Queen Elizabeth
63. International law now grants rights to all human beings, not only to citizens :- Kofi Annan
64. We may have different religion, different language, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race:- Koffi Annan
65. We spend billions of Pounds on welfare, yet millions are trapped on welfare, it's not worth the while going into work :- David Cameron
66. Climate change knows no borders. It will not stop before the pacific island and the whole of the international community here has a shoulder a responsibility to bring about a sustainable development :-Angela Merkel
67. I am certain that i speak on behalf of my entire nation when i say: September 11th we are all Americans - in grief, as in defiance :- Benjamin Netanyahu
68. You can only end a negotiation for peace if you begin it :- Benjamin Netanyahu 
69.  “The destiny of world civilization depends upon providing a decent standard of living for all mankind.” – Bono (Paul David Lewis), lead singer of U2 and international philanthropist
70. “Since the world has existed, there has been injustice. But it is one world, the more so as it becomes smaller, more accessible. There is just no question that there is more obligation that those who have should give to those who have nothing '' :- Audrey Hepburn, Actress and Unicef Goodwill Ambassodor 
71.  “When we live in a world that is very unjust, you have to be a dissident.”:- – Nawal El Saadawi, Egyptian feminist, writer, and psychiatrist
72.  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”:-– Martin Luther King Jr., 

Inspirational poems

These are inspirational, motivational as well as educative poems that can help up our readers and people out there to steer up their dreams; and raise their hopes high. At Raising Empowered Foundation,we engage and believe through literacy and literature (Poetry & creative Plays), we can empower young children and youth out there from predicaments and challenges they encounter and also enlighten their world of creativity and inspiration that changes their mindset; and help them gear up their lives.It also improves on their literacy skills.

You can  also send your Poems on briankharis2@gmail.com if you want them published on this blog. Remember it should not be that long.

Moving Diamond

Darling, I introduce to you this story

I fell from the sky, howdy!

Then I saw a big trolley

It had a letter in it, how be!

Do not make any thing let you down,

Move harder, aim higher, go stronger

Reach for the stars, the heights, the sky

I will embrace, no might, no doubts

I call, en need answers,

Whoever comes, takes a bite.

Amazed by their feelings

I pull them higher

Am a life changer

People get to see me, en become amazed

Twinkling, I bring no haze, but crave

Nobody wanna be a diamond Hater

Am the moving Diamond, rolling in Hollywood

Come en be apart of me

Am too exclusive

Am a moving Diamond

The light

The moving Diamond

Every one has a diamond in them, "whether in the rough. " Whoever does and talks ill, and negative about you, stand tall, Aim higher and hit your goal; Move and tell them you’re a “Moving Diamond”. Never let any one let you down, believers are achievers and any thing is possible in this world as long as you believe and move in the right direction/path; with God on your side. Pray to God for Success and never relent cause it was written; He told us to seek him more, rely on and count on  Him for our secret desires and petitions of our hearts and they will be granted (Psalms 37:3-4). Nothing is impossible and there's no any permanent situation; blessings and all favor is yours. Count on and meditate on  it each and every day you wake up on your bed; and also when you are going to sleep. You'll triumph and victory is yours cause you are born more than a conqueror. Be buoyant however much the predicament and challenge persists knowing that you'll over come.We are all over comers and every thing happens for good to them that love God, and are called for His Purpose so always say am blessed whether you wake up in the wrong side of the bed..

Always desire education, understanding, knowledge, wisdom; and above all insight which is geared by strong faith and hard work. That's how moving Diamonds move...Best wishes all the way,see you to the top.

Cake

I crossed a bridge

After a mettle for sensational blessings

I found myself in an ark of wonder, I pondered

May be I was dreaming, may be not!

Blessed by the Holy touch I found in the sanctuary

A lot of people saw en began to wonder

Gaping, may be on my draping

White, black, yellow, the sky was hailing

Am touched by an Angel of love

Not a fairly tale, I was crowned by the heaven sent

Glamour, glimmer, glorious

Was the tale of the day?

As people said hey, praises and lauds

Alright, am about to slice the cake

Slice, slice – cut the cake

Am about to take it great!

At the end of every plight, know there is a bridge to cross, a place full of wonders and destination you have less idea of. You’ll surely cut the cake! Just believe any thing is possible and have a positive mind set towards your goal.

Inspired by a story, Phiona Mutesi, in the film which was made, Queen of Katwe, who never gave up with life and later made it even when there were literary no odds; but defying them by joining sports out reach ministry where she played chess and was later blown away to destiny. In 2012, Tim crothers wrote a book about her and was published titled “Queen of Katwe;” a story of life, chess and one extraordinary girl dream of being Grand master, stars Oscar winning diamond Lupita Nyongo (12 years a slave) written by Walt Disney. Life is bigger than any plight if you ‘don’t throw in the towels’. Any thing is possible; This poem inspires people especially the young and the youth never to give up, but keep on moving. It also inspires and motivates young girls out there to stay in school and explore their dreams against any odds and challenges in life.

Moving places

Am always amazed by my work, my walk

Reckoning where I have been

Where I have grown, where I am, how I came

God can only tell. tickles me like the sound of a wrecking ball

Like ripen! I’ve risen, it’s gripping

Talking in this soothing tone, at dawn

Was just spectacular

Amazed, no hazy, pushing

To see the morning light

After all this twilight

Now an embracing and reaping from this embellishment, my work

It changed my life, it changed my game,leading me to fame, it's grace

My feelings, gotten healing, am griming

Marvels every time I read this story

Getting here was just a hobby

I wake up early morning en Chuckle 

saying I break mountains and

Move places.

My version of Big friend giant is Be friends with God (BFG). It’s a poem I wrote after watching and reading a review, the Big Friend Giant (BFG) starring Ruby Barnhill from the adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Novel of Steven Spielberg film. An orphan brave child called Sophie, who gets kidnapped by a friend giant and thus begins her journey into the dangerous yet fun world of giants, catching and chasing dreams and getting a relive dream of her own. That’s a brilliant awesome movie,must catch! Sometimes you’ve got to get a big friend giant to move you places; but above all, be friends with God (BFG), who is the biggest "Big Friend Giant." Embrace it, love it, live it and nothing will hinder you from moving places like Sophie. 

Articles/stories( Humanitarian)


                Free Children in Schools from Violence  


Corporal punishment is one of the commonest violence children face in schools: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN arm mandated to deal with issues concerning children, defines corporal punishment as a physical punishment intended to inflict pain into a person.

Wikipedia calls it the punishment intended to cause physical pain  on a person. It is usually inflicted with a substantial disparity of power between the partakers. It is commonly used on minors but also used on adults especially those in Prisons.

Growing up while in school, a lot of caning was in schools, thanks to the constitution of Uganda and the children's Act going hard on corporal punishment as a mode of disciplining children. 

The recent amended children Act 2016 prohibits corporal punishment in all institutions of learning. Section 106A (i) states:  '' Any person of authority in any institution of learning shall not subject a child to any form of corporal punishment.'' It also goes a head to say any one who subjects a child to a corporal punishment commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding shs 2m.

With the help of the law, schools have revised on the way they punish children which is some times in humane and degrading. Teachers come with their hangover stress, anger and agony from their respective homes and turn it to children which is insane. 

Some notorious students also have a bad vice of bullying their fellow students/friends to the extent of beating and caning them when they have failed to do what they want/order. This is mostly done by student leaders who are supposed to lead by example by making sure unscrupulous acts among students are eliminated and reported to responsible authorities and administration. 

Severe caning and bullying traumatizes and humiliates children which is supposed to be banned and stopped completely in schools. I was happy with a policy one of the schools i attended introduced as far as punishing students was concerned by teachers. A teacher was supposed to cane only two strokes and if many three and that's the maximum. It was only the school heads who were the head master, Director of studies and deputies to cane more than two strokes. 

I think this system is good and is supposed to be introduced and adopted in other schools to avoid severe punishment of children which humiliates them.


Parents should also be exemplary and banish that by telling their children never to allow being physically abused by any one. You can show them some bodies like the Uganda Human rights Commission and the director of Public Prosecution (D.P.P) among others such as civil society bodies that fight child abuse,corporal punishment and all related crimes against children.

The office of the Resident District Commissioner (R.D.C),Chief Executive Officer (C.A.O) and the District Education Officer (D.E.O), can also help to avert crimes against children in Schools if contacted more so the District Education Officer who is head of education and its services in a district. There are also some Non- Government organisations that advocate for rights of children. 

The vice has spread and continued despite of the ministry of education effort to prohibit and completely ban it. 815 of children in Primary suffered corporal punishment from teachers,parents and even some times fellow students in 2011 according to Africa Network for prevention Against Child Abuse and Neglect Uganda (UNPDCAN) report. 

You can cane children two strokes strictly for any mistake done as a mode of punishment as i later said or isolating a child who has done wrong and asking them to re-think about what they have done can be a measure to punishment. You may also decide as a teacher to keep the whole class for some time while others are out for break or lunch to teach them a lesson of not making noise in class.

For any late coming, you can make the child/student remain out side class for some time as others are in class and for chopping prep, you can make one stay in the dormitory wing and do some work like cleaning the trenches, bath rooms and latrines or toilets as a mode of punishment.This will teach them a lesson not to dodge preps any more.

Schools can also introduce a mechanism/ system of awarding children for good morals and discipline they exhibit  making others copy from their peers for them to be also awarded.

Corporal punishment makes a child hate school and reduces his or her morale for going to school or attending classes.There are some children/students who bully others and subject them to beatings and mob justice and even go an extra mile of setting up their own bodies they call courts to discipline wrong doers which is wrong and not accepted within school regulations and laws

They cane them badly in the name of punishing in their so called courts issued by their Judges the amount of canes one is supposed to be wiped. This is wrong, any punishment is supposed to be done by the school teachers, if not the authorities who are the school heads.

Any culprit that does any bullying and caning/disciplining a fellow child/student should be subjected to punishment, suspended or even expelled. This goes to prefects and other student leaders in school.

Prefects are below the age of 18 years and do not fall under competent authority description and neither are they guardians as the current legal frame work states in the UN children convention on Rights of the children,the constitution of 1995 and the children's Act as amended notes.

Therefore they can not discipline or make informed decisions on behalf of other children. Report any cases of corporal punishment to the police or any competent authority or body responsible and all schools should watch over it since it is criminal.

Parents should also desist from taking other children to such school to avoid brutalizing and traumatizing them which is oppressing and emotionally depressing to a child.



                         
                Breathing Hope in the lives of Refugees

According to the UN High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) annual global trend report, by the end of 2015, Uganda was hosting 512,968 refugees and asylum seekers; the highest number in the country and it is estimated to have increased to over 900,000 by the end of last year 2016 due to the crisis in the neighboring countries of  Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo; South Sudan taking the lead after an aftermath of war and violence that engulfed the country between Riek Machar troops and forces loyal to Salva Kiir,the President of South Sudan.


I got impressed as a christian on what  Uganda Bible Society was doing concerning the support for refugees in areas of education, clothing and shelter which all those efforts transforms lives of these people in the community (camps) they live in.

There are many who come from their countries without their parents especially children inclining being killed or not knowing where they are and thus settle in camps seeking help and assistance in many areas of support.

Of course they settle in the camps in urge for a comfortable life free from war and violence and need of basic needs for survival, being vulnerable.

 Most of these children could also want to continue with their studies but may lack the money for scholastic materials  and fees;hence it is a call for all of us to give a hand. 

we need more donors,partners and also other stake holders like philanthropists to come on board and stand for the cause for these kids to have a brilliant future they may desire,attain their careers they admire and make their dreams turn a reality which builds a great Nation and the world together. 

You can never know it  may be you,your child or your relative one time, so standing together for a noble cause for lives of refuges is so profound and important; giving a massive reach out.

I commend the Uganda Bible Society that distributed Bibles to the refugees which helps them spiritually, breathing hope to their souls and lives. Most refugees have little hope and are highly frustrated with life so the gospel of Jesus Christ that's full of power can strengthen them and impact greatly in to their souls.

I urge who ever can contribute more for to this cause by distributing books,bibles,text books and other learning materials including fees  would also be tremendously appreciated. 

Many refugees also come to look for opportunities like work after leaving their country to settlement in camps but find non. In order to bring in more income in to the country;s GDP, we can inject in skills in them since some come in with money but lack skills to work thus idling around and recklessly spending their money.

 Areas such as tailoring, craft making,beading and designs,carpentry,shoe making and mechanics among other skills reduces the levels of   unemployment in the country and among the refuges and others reduces idling. It also increases their earnings and their house holds to live better. 

This makes us achieve the middle  economy status by 2020 the country is yearning for if the population is engaged in work increasing our incomes and sustainability.  



                    How to manage stress among learners

• ·         Time management: this is a way to find  time for more of the things you want and need to do. Decide on what is urgent and what can wait
• ·         Watch your life and endeavor to live by your means
• ·         Find a balance between personal work and family needs
• ·         Have a sense of purpose in life. Many people find meaning through connection with family, friends, jobs or volunteer work
• ·         Engage yourself in music, dance and drama or join groups if you have
• ·         Get enough sleep. your body recovers from stress of the body when it gets enough rest and sleep of about 8 hours a day
• ·         Eat a healthy diet; avoid alcohol, drugs and smoking. Take a lot of water
• ·         Exercise the body by going to the gym or even doing road work, jogging or taking a daily walk
• ·         Get involved in playing games or sports you like every evening or weekends. This makes you forget about your worries, troubles and problems as the body is engaged in something better
• ·         Do not dwell on negative thoughts since they trigger more stress to the body. Do not listen or mingle with people you think are negative since they always pull you down
• ·         Share your problems with people you trust (by talking to them) and seek guidance and advice from experts and counselors who will keep your confidentiality. You can also get advice from people who have ever faced or fallen into the same problem or predicament
• ·         Assertive communication helps you express how you feel in a thoughtful and tactical way
• ·         Seek solace from God and permit yourself to Him and on to the church. God`s counsel is the best. Always pray to the Lord for help since He is the almighty who does things man cannot do. Other people can leave you but Jesus cant, it will always take some little time to prove His worth at an appointed time

  
               
 Sickbays are necessary in all schools

According to the Education Act, schools should ensure that the welfare of both pupils and students is adequately provided for and in case this is not done,the school should be closed.” notwithstanding anything in this section, the permanent secretary, chief administrative officer or town clerk, as the case may be, may, in  the interest of health and security of the pupils, order the immediate closure of any school for a period he or she may deem expedite.” the Act continues to say “the school owner shall immediately comply with the order and shall not reopen the education institution without the express permission in writing from the permanent secretary, chief administrative officer or town clerk. 
From clear sources from the ministry of education, there is no list of basic requirements in sickbays, they are meant to offer first aid and basic treatment; and also they should not be treated as hospitals or clinics. When a case is complex, a child is supposed to be taken or referred to a medical facility.
     
 Students find it easy attended to at home where there is all necessary care but when their condition is not that worse, the situation can be attended to at school rather than being given pass outs by school authorities/ heads such as head master/mistress, administrators, wardens, matrons among other people responsible. This makes children not to miss out on school programmes, lessons and tests/examinations especially candidates who need every single time in school. It also causes absenteeism among students which can affect their performance in class. 

There are some sicknesses or illness that can be handled at school such as headache, fever, malaria and typhoid when not severe. Injuries and deep wounds can also be handled at school by proving first aid to the causality unless it worsens and needs attention from home. At least a school should have these; there are many cases where pupils/students get injured while at school and really need first aid which is supposed to be attended to by a trained school nurse or medical personnel.
       
 It is important for schools to hire or employ at least one or two nurses or medical personnel to help students at school in case of any injuries, illness and emergencies. Schools should therefore hire trained qualified nurses; put on payroll for government schools and private schools should make private arrangements with their medical personnel. 
 It is a danger to a child`s life in school when there are no medical personnel or nurses to help them, in case of any healthy issues. 
     
Children spend a big part of their lives in school and are likely to be exposed to environmental, physical or emotional dangers, which there for calls for a sick bay with at least a nurse and a visiting doctor to examine critical or complex diseases/conditions before taken for referral; and a fully stocked medicine room/ clinic with equipment to administer injuries. 
       
 Medicine is supposed to be bought by the school using the fees students/pupils pay and not make students pay for or buy drugs while at school using their own money. The pocket money given to students or even pupils is supposed to help them while at school and not used for purchasing drugs when sick. 
        
 Sick bays should at least have two beds and beyond to facilitate the sick, and students who are not sick should not go around congesting the sickbay pretending they are sick in the name of chopping lessons. Nurses and teachers (given the role of welfare) should keep monitoring the sick bay to deter the class dodgers from accessing the sick bays.
 It’s only those students taking care of the sick to be allowed in and not any other persons. The sick students can be seen or checked on by their fellow class mates and friends at a given time such as break and lunch time or later in the evenings when lessons are done but not during class time. 
    
It is advisable for patients to carry their own bed sheets and blankets to the sick bays to maintain hygiene and avoid contracting other diseases. These sickbays are supposed to be kept clean and mopped every day supervised by the welfare master/teacher or even the nurse in charge of the clinic or sick bay.
 A child who is sick is not supposed to be left inside the dormitory since it is very risky. Sometimes the dormitory may gut fire which may cost the life of the student and also the school being answerable to the parents of the child.
      
Schools that can’t afford a visiting doctor can develop or draw a voluntary mechanism by reaching out to their old students who are doctors through their old students association; during school meetings and timely functions. Other schools can also partner with the nearby medical center or facility for any cases of emergency when the conditions of the children worsen. 

 Parents are advised to declare to the school authority chronic diseases affecting their children in order for the school to be aware in case of any failure; they can handle the condition amicably.

 Some parents do not want to declare their children’s medical conditions which may affect the child while at school in case of any emergency.
      
 Schools do not entertain jumpers and non school sweaters brought from home and therefore, when the school is aware of a child`s condition such as pneumonia and asthmatic, he or she may be permitted or allowed to wear or put on their heavy jumpers and sweaters during cold weather especially during morning preps and sometimes night preps too.

 A healthy performance begins with a healthy mind and body; therefore health should be given a priority to steer good performance among students.

              

        Sanitary Pads vital in promoting Girl Child Education

Girls being given sanitary pads in a certain school.what a joy it carries when the needs of girls are tackled 

Parents grapple with educating their children so that they may be learned; and be able to sustain themselves after a long period of study, when they acquire a job or either creating their own for a living. It enhances a country’s social-economic status and boasts the gross domestic product of a country for steady development. 

With the 80% of the net enrollment, 72% completion rate, 74% literacy rate, the country is making more strides to improve education for her citizens to move to the reality of 100%. Despite of those achievements, the country will also have to combat the dropping out rate which is at 70%; girls taking the lead majority.

 The Ministry of Finance approved an increment of shs2000 on each pupil capitation grant to cater for sanitary wear, which according the ministry of education equips senior women teachers with emergency kit to support girls in case of menstruation emergency at school. It also took the president during the campaigns when he was traversing the country for re-election to emphasize on sanitary pads which help many girls stay in school most especially those in rural areas where the dropout rates hits harder. It was also directed by the education ministry that starting 2017 this year, its compulsory for all learners to have lunch and girls given sanitary pads while at school which shades more light in the education sector and making more girls attend school.


 I was reading one afternoon one of the dailies and I came across an article about girls using stockings to clean up their menstruation, and others not wearing knickers at school. Honestly, do some acts still exist like girls not covering up in this century? twenty first!, was the question that run in my minds immediately after reading the article.

 Parents are supposed to buy or give money to their girls to buy knickers since a girl child is supposed to be covered well right from where eyes don’t see.

 Absence of that makes her prone to sexual abuse, embarrassment from her peers and also during menstruation since the blood will pour direct without even socking knickers in case it is not there. Parents and caretakers or guardians should desist from taking children to school without wearing any undergarment and also provide for them at least reusable sanitary pads to make them comfortable and also attend school well without any worries and embarrassments. 

It all begins with you to raise a girl to go to school and raise a nation so you should make the first initiative. Whenever menstruation happens to a girl, and she happens to pour blood in the open when fellows are there, especially boys, they lose track to education because of the embarrassment and stop attending classes or even going to school which causes early school dropout and even luring early child marriages since education is the only way that keeps a girl safe from marriages and being disturbed by older men.

 I could like to commend the government for the initiatives to support girl child education and also some Non government organizations distributing or giving sanitary pads to young girls to help them stay in school. It is an immerse contribution to a girl’s life and this spirit should keep burning to see many girls stay in school.

 More funds should also be allocated to the education sector in order for it to provide pads to children to support them through their education. More Non government organizations should come on board for the noble cause to enable us realize the sustainable development goal 4 of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, National development plan (ii),vision 2040 and achieving the middle status economy by 2021.

when you educate a girl, you educate a nation and chances are high for her to bring tremendous development within her house hold and community. And who said women don’t make it powerful CEO`s and directors, I guess we have seen many, I don’t need to mention names. It starts with taking a girl to school and proving those sanitary pads, which will make her work also harder in order to change the world around her by buying pads to/ for her children and others in her community for a noble cause. 

Homes become financially stable when the woman in a home is also earning or working breaking the barrier of financial constraints; which increases the provision and welfare for children. Other necessities are also catered for. The government also gets revenues which increases the country`s gross domestic product when there is an increased female human resource and workforce through the taxes it collects.

smiles after receiving pads,promoting Girl child education

                                        we all love to keep our girls in school




Respect the rights of children who are impaired


Children with disabilities should enjoy equal rights like the able. Their rights should never at any one moment be violated and abused. They all have rights to live under good conditions like anyone else i.e the right to a good shelter, right to access anything, right to information, right to food, right to education, right to socialize ,right to expression among others. 

There are some children who look down on them and could never wish to socialize or associate with them which is queer not only to humans but also in the eyes of the sole creator, God who is the chief designer. Teach them to behave and tell them those people not at any one moment wished and desired to be like that.

 It was not their decision in making that they should be impaired, and those who ill treat them can one day also be like that or their relatives. Some parents also do not take them to school saying it is a waste of resources but whoever knows these people can make it big in life. We have seen many impaired people making it big and thus advocating for the rights of  others. If you are not aware, you can do your research. 

School fess and scholastic materials, lunch and everything needed by an able person/child is also needed and a demand as right to the parents therefore segregation and discrimination should be banished. 

Children with disabilities find it hard to get friends and most of the times ignored and marginalized; one should ask themselves a simple Question, what if it were me? Would I ever want to be treated like that or my child? 

Talk to them, share with them what you have, your food, the toys you own,books, notes among others because God watches us on everything we always do and blesses our works. 

While in class, they should not be deemed a chance to sit on the desk, if they find it uncomfortable, the school should endeavour to make an arrangement to make a special one for them.

School administration should set up stringent policies, measures and laws that protect their rights while at school for them not to be abused or violated. They should penalize and punish those who bully and harass them by suspending, calling their parents or even official dismissal if the habit persists. 

This would teach the rest a lesson not to under look or mistreat their colleagues who are impaired. 

You can help them with what they request for, for example fetching for them water to bathe, carrying for them food during meals, pushing the wheels or carrying their bags from class. 

Challenges are there in life and who ever knows yours knocking may be worse. Take good faith and stand for the rights of the dis-able/ vulnerable and continue helping them for it is a blessing a head of you in posterity.

        

  

Points to consider when enrolling your child for Pre-school

There is something you look out for when choosing a pre-primary school for your
children whom you may know won’t affect you as a parent and also your child. There are parents who stay long hours at work and come back late at home whereas there are also other schools not considerable for the well being of your child, therefore a lot of questions run into our minds before enrolling our children to these pre- schools ,kindergarten,nursery or call them early child development centers. These are some of the considerations you should take serious;

How caring and understanding are the teachers and staff

There are schools that are located near the main road and therefore these calls for maximum monitoring and care for the children to avoid accidents or being in a risk of being knocked down. Kids are vulnerable and therefore need a lot of care around and inside school for accidents to be avoided. Caring also makes them not hurt themselves as they play like with dangerous objects or even bad games that may hurt them which requires monitoring. Parents should do some survey about the care of children in those pre-schools before taking their children in them. There are some schools that won’t allow your children as long as you have fully paid  fees or school dues; watch out for such schools if you can’t clear all the fees for your child in time needed and look for  schools that can buy your plea when you are still broke

Qualification of staff

In order to impact a lot in to a child, teachers who play the vital role in teaching children are supposed to be qualified and have enough skills in early child development in order to produce quality and good child performance. Good nursery or child development teachers are supposed to be trained and qualified and also have skills in child development from a recognized institution of learning. This will enable early development skills such as social, interactive, cognitive, psycho motor and learning to be imparted in the child well from trained personnel.

Balanced diet and nutritious food

There are schools that give children what to eat during break or past break  time during free resting hours like porridge and bananas at school some times. Take a step to find out if when and what is given to children is nutritious; for example if milk is mixed in the porridge and if the bananas are good (some bananas sometimes are given to children from bad stock from what teachers have left, so you have to know what is given to your child). If found good, such foods are healthy for children and also relieves children; and act as a persuasion factor that helps children love school.Good diet is necessary for a child's growth and if you find such foods are given,then it is ideal to take your child to such a school

School fees

Find out the status of the school and how much they charge in order to get the right school to take your child to. You may be having little money, look for those schools that provide quality services but with affordable fees structures that suits your pocket and means for your child to stay in school. Do not rush for schools that you cannot afford. Some of those schools are business oriented, they charge exorbitant to drain money from parents yet there are some schools that offer good education at a reasonable price not to malice your pocket. Do not be driven by the world by taking your child to expensive schools that may cost you much and drive you to economic crisis or lower your incomes.

Outdoor space

There should be at least enough space or compound for children to freely play. A room for playing should also be catered for and the classrooms should also be reasonably big and not too small like a house with rooms turned into a school with tiny rooms that don’t have breathing and playing space. Without play, Peter is a dull boy, so lookout for a school with enough space for your child to play, have fun at school and be active. Plays also make children learn skills such as thinking, body coordination and social skills among others

Sanitation

The school should have a good sanitation mechanism and devise a proper way of collecting and depositing rubbish to make the school clean and free from flies. The latrine or toilets are supposed to be kept clean and washed to prevent or avoid diseases at school.

Good and clean structures and class rooms

Children are very sensitive beings who don’t need to play in dirty environment. For example dirty class rooms have dust in them that can cause respiratory infections of a child at a tender age. Diseases like asthma, flue, sinuses and cough can be contracted through raise of dust. Structures are also supposed to be  strong, clean and well maintained to allude a good learning environment. Poor structures can fall on the children which is dangerous.

Teaching materials and a good teaching system

Schools are supposed to have all teaching equipment and materials needed for a child`s learning. Materials like charts and reading books such as story books are supposed to be available for reading. Children are also not supposed to be beaten heavy strokes/canes as a way of punishment because it turns them off to go to school and even make them hate school.corporal punishment should be banished at school.

Distance and means of going to school and back home

The distance matters a lot because there are some schools that are far from home and a mechanism of a shuttle to be providing transport for the children can be a possible solution. Parents are supposed to devise a way of their children going to school and coming back home. If they are always busy, they can get someone to keep taking and collecting them back from school.

Choose a school with your child

Two heads are better than one. Your Child has preference as you do. Walk along with your child to the schools that they may choose a school of their choice which they may like though you as a parent to make the ultimate decision. Their decision may be as best as yours. The reason you should take your child to choose a school for him or herself is to teach them how to make choices and be independent both in decision making and what to do.

Security

It is good to know the safety of your children at school. There are a number of cases that have been registered about child rape, sacrifice and kidnap. Choose wisely on that school to avoid issues that may arise that your child is lost or announced missing. Schools should have a  good stringent security measure and should know all parents or any body else who collect the children. In fact they should all  register before picking a child avoid such issues out lined above; and the person picking the child should be known.

School regulations, rules and the fear of God

A good school is one which has policies, regulations and rules put in place. This instills values and principles into a child to follow and adhere to; thus strengthening their morals, discipline and demeanor. This makes a child grow in to an up right person with the fear of God too

Take precaution to ensure children are safe on the road

children being helped to cross the road by the parents

 It is our collective responsibility as a community to ensure children are safe on the road to avoid accidents and other problems.

 There are some who move by taxi, shuttles, school buss, motor cycles, vehicles owned by parents, among others too who make their way to school on foot which is the commonest means. 

Parents and all road users are supposed to ensure children are safe on the road by taking a lot of caution when using the road and avoid errant driving. This will burr accidents from happening and affecting scholars. 

Children are most of the times left to move or walk to school alone which is dangerous. They are at least supposed to be accompanied by an adult and also the distance from school should be bearable not allowing them trek long distances alone.        
Children who move alone should be taught Highway Code, which entails road signs and how to use the road. They can as well walk with their friends who use the same road and stay in the same neighborhood.  

This will make them team up with good advice, decisions and correcting or telling each other on the usage of the road or when there is a vehicle coming to move aside. Children who go back at home or move to school alone should avoid talking to strangers who may lead them into deplored acts; and also should avoid accepting gifts and lifts from people they do not know and understand
.            
Most of these people are bad and can do ill things to them when they are encountered. They should talk to or inform an adult or sometimes raise an alarm for help, if the condition is bad or critical. Children should also be sure of the routes they take, free from dangerous people and hazards; with good visibility. 

The main road they use should have ample space for pedestrians to walk on, zebra crossing and also the roads that don’t involve dangerous crossings. Schools that can procure a shuttle or a school bus boast of safety which is the best choice for transportation of children, in case their parents can’t drop them to school.

 A driver to the shuttles should ensure the busses are of good condition and shape, properly maintained and should avoid drink-driving which causes many times accidents. These busses should have seat belts with care takers or teachers to monitor the children to and from school; and maintain order in the bus or shuttles.

Those who use taxis should ensure they are comfortable and best seat in the right places to avoid being squeezed or standing inside. Passengers can help out the child in case of any problems since they are adults and denounce any acts that may be uncomfortable to children while on their way on travel in taxis. 

There are some cases when conductors shout at children and tell them to push up squeezing them  hard thus feeling uncomfortable.It should be stopped by passengers which is good advocacy on the rights of a child. 

Whereas those who use motorcycles should be accompanied by someone older, given helmet and ensure that those riding the motor cycles (bodabodas) are of a good and sound mind because many of them are always involved in reckless riding. 

Over loading should be avoided and the child should at least be of 12 years of age to move by a motorcycle alone as stated by law.

Teachers should desist from stigmatizing children or even combat the vice among children at school

                   
                               Say No to any form of stigmatization

Apart from teaching which is a teachers work and duty, teachers are also supposed to perform other duties in order to transform lives and be exemplary in  a school and community. There are many children who go to school with different social, health and economic status which sometimes causes segregation among learners; exposing some one`s social health status is not only condemned by medical practitioners who examine ones condition but also the public. 

It is supposed to be personal issue; so teachers should desist from stigmatizing children by releasing their HIV Status to other children both in primary and secondary school. 

This makes them uncomfortable which affects their lives and the academic performance at school. Children in that young stage of life take matters not serious/ out of hand and end up telling others of the child who has the disease thus exposing one`s health status which is supposed to be secret. 

This can be known entirely in the school which is uncomfortable to many, making them feel out of place, and even some times discriminated. When other children know about one`s status, may stop playing with them thinking they may also encounter the disease.

 This can deteriorate one`s mood, way of life, performance and even make them change school. One should know that the children affected are not any different from any other kids and even may have encountered the disease not by their wish.

In many cases, children are affected by HIV at or during birth, rape and defilement; thus not by wish. Therefore any form of  discrimination should be shunned both in primary and secondary, and stigmatization relinquished. 

With that act, children will feel appreciated and also love school steering good performance and better grades. Children affected on stigma should be taken for counselling and their parents advised on the measures to stop anxiety in their  children lives whereas teachers are supposed to be advised during training on child stigmatization; and the way they can fight it in school for example through sensitization.



Provide/Pack lunch for children at school to lure good                     performance

                 

There  are several parents who negate the responsibility of providing for  their children lunch at school which is not good for learning to take place; Leaving a child to study on empty stomach is not healthy for a child's brain and more so the entire body which  enormously affects the entire system including learning.

It is a right for children to have food at school to steer learning and we parents and all other stake holders ought to work hard to ensure children have something to eat as they are in school. Head teachers are also supposed to devise a means and also encourage this by advising parents to cater for lunch for their children at school through improvising or paying lunch fee for a child to have lunch at school. This goes to all government and private school head teachers.

when a child is hungry,or studying on an empty stomach,learning seems to be low as they brave or soldier the situation though in most cases it is unbearable. This ultimately makes the child loose concentration and interest in studies and thus desires to drops out of school.

Luck of lunch in school also makes a child hate school,viewing it as a punishment and there fore causes children to hide hence absenting them selves which later at the end of the day increases the number of poor performance.

It is much better for school heads to embrace the system of proving for children lunch as a programme at school and parents do the payment since some times packed food goes cold by lunch time provided by parents if provided.

Through Parents and teachers association, this matter can be discussed at school on a step forward to provide children with food to stimulate their learning process.
It even helps a lot since there are some parents who don't have time to cook and pack for children food in the morning being lazy to wake up early at 5;pm to start cooking and organising for work, and also their kids to go to school

when you have a hot meal (lunch),there is a way it stimulates your body making the brain active much more than packed food.But in vain if this cant work,then packing should be a resort.

This is prevalent in rural schools since most urban/town schools have a programme for lunch.when food is provided for children,then he or she can the zeal to work harder registering a better performance in school.

              




                     Free Children in Schools from Violence 



Corporal punishment is one of the commonest violence children face in schools: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN arm mandated to deal with issues concerning children, defines corporal punishment as a physical punishment intended to inflict pain into a person.

Wikipedia calls it the punishment intended to cause physical pain  on a person. It is usually inflicted with a substantial disparity of power between the partakers. It is commonly used on minors but also used on adults especially those in Prisons.

Growing up while in school, a lot of caning was in schools, thanks to the constitution of Uganda and the children's Act going hard on corporal punishment as a mode of disciplining children. 

The recent amended children Act 2016 prohibits corporal punishment in all institutions of learning. Section 106A (i) states:  '' Any person of authority in any institution of learning shall not subject a child to any form of corporal punishment.'' It also goes a head to say any one who subjects a child to a corporal punishment commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding shs 2m.

 With the help of the law, schools have revised on the way they punish children which is some times in humane and degrading. Teachers come with their hangover stress, anger and agony from their respective homes and turn it to children which is insane. 

Some notorious students also have a bad vice of bullying their fellow students/friends to the extent of beating and caning them when they have failed to do what they want/order. This is mostly done by student leaders who are supposed to lead by example by making sure unscrupulous acts among students are eliminated and reported to responsible authorities and administration. 

Severe caning and bullying traumatizes and humiliates children which is supposed to be banned and stopped completely in schools. I was happy with a policy one of the schools i attended introduced as far as punishing students was concerned by teachers. A teacher was supposed to cane only two strokes and if many three and that's the maximum. It was only the school heads who were the head master, Director of studies and deputies to cane more than two strokes. 

I think this system is good and is supposed to be introduced and adopted in other schools to avoid severe punishment of children which humiliates them.


Parents should also be exemplary and banish that by telling their children never to allow being physically abused by any one. You can show them some bodies like the Uganda Human rights Commission and the director of Public Prosecution (D.P.P) among others such as civil society bodies that fight child abuse,corporal punishment and all related crimes against children.

The office of the Resident District Commissioner (R.D.C),Chief Executive Officer (C.A.O) and the District Education Officer (D.E.O), can also help to avert crimes against children in Schools if contacted more so the District Education Officer who is head of education and its services in a district. There are also some Non- Government organisations that advocate for rights of children. 

The vice has spread and continued despite of the ministry of education effort to prohibit and completely ban it. 815 of children in Primary suffered corporal punishment from teachers,parents and even some times fellow students in 2011 according to Africa Network for prevention Against Child Abuse and Neglect Uganda (UNPDCAN) report. 

You can cane children two strokes strictly for any mistake done as a mode of punishment as i later said or isolating a child who has done wrong and asking them to re-think about what they have done can be a measure to punishment. You may also decide as a teacher to keep the whole class for some time while others are out for break or lunch to teach them a lesson of not making noise in class.

For any late coming, you can make the child/student remain out side class for some time as others are in class and for chopping prep, you can make one stay in the dormitory wing and do some work like cleaning the trenches, bath rooms and latrines or toilets as a mode of punishment.This will teach them a lesson not to dodge preps any more.

Schools can also introduce a mechanism/ system of awarding children for good morals and discipline they exhibit  making others copy from their peers for them to be also awarded.

Corporal punishment makes a child hate school and reduces his or her morale for going to school or attending classes.There are some children/students who bully others and subject them to beatings and mob justice and even go an extra mile of setting up their own bodies they call courts to discipline wrong doers which is wrong and not accepted within school regulations and laws

They cane them badly in the name of punishing in their so called courts issued by their Judges the amount of canes one is supposed to be wiped. This is wrong, any punishment is supposed to be done by the school teachers, if not the authorities who are the school heads.

Any culprit that does any bullying and caning/disciplining a fellow child/student should be subjected to punishment, suspended or even expelled. This goes to prefects and other student leaders in school.

Prefects are below the age of 18 years and do not fall under competent authority description and neither are they guardians as the current legal frame work states in the UN children convention on Rights of the children,the constitution of 1995 and the children's Act as amended notes.

Therefore they can not discipline or make informed decisions on behalf of other children. Report any cases of corporal punishment to the police or any competent authority or body responsible and all schools should watch over it since it is criminal.


Parents should also desist from taking other children to such school to avoid brutalizing and traumatizing them which is oppressing and emotionally depressing to a child.



POINT TO NOTE!!!

What do you think of the stories you have read? Do you Agree with it? Which story(ies) have you liked!  Feel Free to tell us all about what we have left out and what you can contribute or add on; and that would be awesome.

Thanks for Reading the blog and God bless you.