Teachers Making a Difference: Back home after memorable Ireland trip

EDUCATION & TRAVEL

 A group of five Ugandan teachers were in Ireland for a study tour, after emerging the best of the best in the 2017 Teachers Making a Difference contest. On this page, we documented their week-long experience in the European nation. The trip was courtesy of New Vision, Ireland Embassy, Trocaire and Simba Travelcare.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4

The Teachers Making a Difference (TMD) team flew back home after an exciting trip to Ireland.

 

 

 

 

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SARTURDAY, FEBRUARY 3

The Teachers Making a Difference team wrapped up their stay in Ireland, set to fly back home after a dream-come-true week-long trip.

The team arrived at Connolly railway station and purchased tram tickets for their last leg of the journey by tram to Ashling Hotel, where they shared their experiences with the Trocaire alumni, who have been to Nicaragua and Sierra Leone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teacher Mary Goretti Akwii and Naome Muhwezi, Education Advisor at the Irish Embassy in Kampala, chatted aboard the train to Dublin.

 

 

On the train to Dublin, teacher Godfrey Arims and Martin Kananura enjoyed the free WiFi aboard the train while Emmanuel Angoda (in red jacket) was in deep reflection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEADED FOR DUBLIN VIA TRAIN . . .

 

 

 

The Teachers Making a Difference checked out of Glenroyal Hotel Saturday morning, before braving the chilly weather to Maynoth railway station to Dublin, where they were scheduled for an alumni event at Ashling Hotel.

 

 

 

 

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Just like breakfast, lunch and dinner in Ireland are usually varied, comprising a combination of meats - ham, grilled pork, steak, fish, lots of vegetables and rice and potatoes (never call it Irish here).

 

 

 

 

 The adventurous Godfrey Arims (left) had a glass of Oops wine while Martin Kananura had  taste of original Guinness beer at the Clock House Bar near Glenroyal Hotel

 

 

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BREAKFAST TIME

Like the English, Irish breakfast is always an elaborate affair at Glenroyal Hotel where the Teacher Making a Difference team is staying.

Here, teacher Mary Goretti Akwii enjoys bacon, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and baked beans. Looking on is Prossy Muyinda who had downed a bowl of oat meal and preparing to go for more helping.

 

 

 

Teacher Godfrey Arims enjoys a mix of bacon, sausages, fruits, roast tomatoes and by his confession, for the first time, half-done eggs.

 

 

 Teacher Martin Kananura enjoys his Irish Breakfast

 

 

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31

OnWednesday, the team signed the Trocaire child safeguarding commitment forms before visiting St. Patrick's Boys primary school and Holy Trinity Secondary school in Dublin. Ireland has strict child protection policy.

Later, the team leader Martin Kananura presented a gift to Tom Moriarty, the principal of St. Patrick's Boys School, Drumcondra, when they visited the school.

Naome Muhwezi, Education Advisor at the Irish Embassy in Kampala (in brown jacket) leading the evaluation exercise after the day's programme yesterday. The 2017 New Vision Teachers Making a Difference winners are in Ireland for a one-week all expenses paid trip courtesy of New Vision, Irish Embassy, Trocaire and Simba Travelcare

 

 

 Teachers Making a Difference team leader Martin Kananura hands over a gift to Eamonn Meehan, the Trocaire Executive Director shorty after a meeting with Trocaire staff at the charity's headquarters at Maynooth, Dublin today. L-R: Prossy Muyinda of Victoria Junior school Namutumba; Emmanuel Angoda of Lira Town College; Kananura, Eamonn; Godfrey Arims of Lemusui primary school, Nakapiripirit and Mary Goretti Akwii of Nakivale refugee school. Naome Muhwezi, Education Advisor at the Irish Embassy in Kampala and Trocaire staffer, Lydia McCarthy later joined them in a group photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30

The five winners of the 2017 New Vision Teachers Making a Difference competition are enjoying their stay in Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 28

The five winners of the 2017 New Vision Teachers Making a Difference competition touched down at Dublin International Airport Sunday morning.

The teachers are in Ireland for a week-long study tour courtesy of New Vision, the Irish Embassy, Trocair and Simba Travelcare, one of Uganda's leading tour and travel management companies.

The teachers are: 

- Godfrey Arims from Lemusu Primary School in Nakapiripirit

- Martin Kananura from Mbarara Municipal School in Mbarara district

- Prossy Muyinda from Victoria Junior School in Namutumba district

- Mary-Gorreti Akwi from Nakivale SS in Isingiro district and

- Emmanuel Angod, a teacher at Lira Town College in Lira district

The five winners were among the 12 teachers who were awarded for their outstanding contribution to the learning of students in Uganda.

The teachers, upon arrival at Dublin International Airport, waited for their luggage at the collection point

This is the first time the winners are travelling abroad to study the Irish education system. Previously, each of the winners would get a cash prize of sh1.5m, a plaque and certificate.

Together with New Vision Features editor John Eremu (left), the group were clad in heavy clothing. Generally, January and February are the coldest months in Ireland.

 

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 27

By Geoffrey Mutegeki

The teachers departed on Saturday after being flagged off by Eimear McDermott, the Second Secretary at the Irish Embassy at the embassy headquarters in Kampala.

Trocaire country director Ian Dolan, Simba Travelcare manager Declan Peppard and Vision Group chief executive officer Robert Kabushenga attended the event.

"We value the importance of education because it has helped Ireland to develop. I am excited that these teachers are flying to Ireland, where they will interact with fellow teachers and learn from each other," McDermott said.

Dolan promised Trocaire's continued support towards the project.

Declan commended teachers for excelling and urged them to also empower others.

"You can have minerals but if the children are not educated, you will never see development. That is why as New Vision, we value teachers and education," Kabushenga said.

Teachers Making a Difference is part of the Ugandans Making a Difference project initiated by New Vision in April 2008. The project aims at recognising and rewarding individuals who have innovatively used limited resources to have a positive impact on their communities.

New Vision has always implemented this project either singly or in partnership with institutions that share similar objectives.