I am by names Namwabira Aminah, an 18 year student of Wanyange Girls Secondary School. I am in form six, offering PCB/AGRIC. (2007)

During my form five, I attended a Science with ICT camp (Inspiring science education for girls using ICT), and it was at this workshop that my life began taking another direction. This camp was a turning point in my life.

 Before I attended this camp, I had some little knowledge about computers but I mainly knew Microsoft word. I knew about the Internet because it was like a custom at school but all I could do was mailing. I rarely visited the computer lab or the cafes because I really had no business there.

But during the Inspiring Science Education for Girls using ICT, Science with ICT Holiday camp, as I have already noted, it was really a turning point in my life.
Here I met students from various schools like Gayaza High School, Nabingo, Makerere College, Bweranyangi, Budo, etc and really had fun and shared a lot of skills and challenges of which we found solutions to some of the challenges, I got to know some important people that I had never known like Mr. Kakinda, Mr. Nsumba Lyazi, Engineer Nansubuga Allen and all the facilitators who were there.  During the brainstorming sessions, I gained confidence, courage and I got to love what I was doing.

During the camp, I was able to achieve the following;

• First and foremost, I made very many friends including both teachers and students.
• The computer became my closest friend because I learnt how to use and interact with it freely.
• I lost all the fears I had and gained strong confidence through the encouragements we got and the practical sessions we carried out.
•  I improved my communication skills through the presentations we made and the use of power point which I had not known before.
• I got inspired through the personal testimonies of  the women in science role models that were brought to us especially Eng. Nansubuga Allen and whenever I reflect on their words, I keep going even when the going gets tough.
• Teachers(facilitators) from other schools promised to academically help us and they have really helped because when my going is not easy, I just mail to them and they send me solutions, we have online sharing of knowledge with students from other schools which we were taught during the camp.

After the camp, I have been able to do the following; I first made a report to the Director of studies and the H/M, in the report.  I requested to be given chance to train my colleagues what I had learnt, soon I was given personal keys to the computer lab(after convincing them that I could manage) and appointed chairperson of the ICT department. I requested and it was allowed for the science classes to use the Internet for their revision during preps, under my supervision.

 I requested Mr. Kakinda to connect my classmates and some of my teachers. I requested for online math materials from SchoolNet and this was granted. I participated in the science fair exhibition in my school under the ICT department and it became the second best while I became the overall best participant. We initiated an ICT project (Education for the rural people using ICT) and right now I am the acting coordinator, we were able to record audio lessons for both O’Level and A’Level. I attended a Head teachers’ sensatization workshop which was organized by SchoolNet Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, and this time I was a facilitator.

At Wanyange Girls’ School, we recorded video lessons for both O’Level and A’ Level  in biology, geography and physics under the Education for the rural people using ICT project. We’ve so far brought about seven rural schools which we are working within the project. We launched the project in October and the Executive Director of SchoolNet Uganda, Mr. Kakinda Daniel was the chief guest.

We also invited Mr. Kakinda to come and present to our students about the online competitions  like Mtandao-Afrika and online collaborative projects like iEARN and this was done.

 I have also been able to come back to another camp as a student peer educator

Through all this, my life has completely changed and this is how the camp has changed me. It has made me a national asset because before I was only known to my school and my home but right now am known countrywide.

 I have been exposed through the workshops I attend and the national services that I do. I have learnt to live responsibly, manage my time because it seems to be little. I utilize every opportunity that comes my way. I have become a fluent speaker and right now I really can’t do without ICT at school. I have been named a computer wizard, I have acquired many skills in the project and I don’t think my life will ever be the same again.

I attribute all my success and achievements most especially to SchoolNet Uganda, Mr.Kakinda Daniel, Mr. Naabye Henry, my headmistress and my parents who give me support. And above all to the almighty God.

Thank you SchoolNet for the care and love you have showed the girl child and the nation Uganda at large because as you educate a girl, you have educated a nation. May the almighty bless you and reward you abundantly.  Long live SchoolNet Uganda.
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