The 21^st Century Schoolhouse 

The following are messages from Ugandan students from Namilyango College (boys) and Mt. St. Mary's College, Namagunga (girls) participating in the 21st Century Schoolhouse Project, and speaking about what they have learnt, and how they feel about being part of the programme representing Uganda (Africa)

I’m very happy to be able to communicate to all of you. I’m in Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga. I have attended the 21st Century Schoolhouse seminar. The goals for this involved local action, community education and global collaboration and thus really expanding my knowledge. I’ve learn’t how to apply the theme of international Youth Environment Summit. I love travelling, and making friends. I’ve learnt better skills of presenting my points on how to maintain or conserve our environment, which is subdivided into social equity, ecological integrity and economic prosperity.
Thanks to the guidance of Andrew Goldstein and Molly Kellar.

My participation in the 21st Century School house training program has really been great! Ralph Waldo Emerson once said ‘nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.’ Well, Molly and Andy have surely built in us all the enthusiasm that we need to make this venture truly exciting and successful(with our help obviously!)
I’ve learnt a lot (If I were to mention it all I’d never end) So.... I’ll just end this by hoping that its going to be great fun and pleasure working and getting to know all the members of the project out there.

I’d love to hear from all. you guys soon
Elaine A.Obbo

I’am a student here in Uganda . And I really enjoyed the lessons by Molly and Andrew. They are really great . We loved them I guess you guys in the states are lucky to have them teach you .
Well we learnt alot mostly about environmental protection though we knew alot of stuff about it but as you know here in Africa we had nobody who could air out to the world and show them to the world but we are lucky for the 21st Century Schoolhouse has helped us air out our views and we’re really grateful for this. We did see a video tape of students in America and the summit. It was really great and we hope to attend the next summit in Perth, Australia. I am really very anxious to begin correspondence with you guys as soon as possible.
Kyalimpa Julius

My 21st Century Schoolhouse training has been interesting with Andrew Goldstein and Molly Kellar from Oregon,U.S.A as my teachers.Uganda,my country, the pearl of Africa, has very many things to learn about and these we have covered in the training.
I have learned to use the resources both natural and man-made. These should not be over or under used because it creates an imbalance in the ecosystem yet the future generation has to live to see the once beautiful country we lived in.
Uganda is not the only country with ecological problems.Other states too, like Oregon face similar problems which I have seen on video.I have learned to solve the problems in my own country just as the people in Oregon do like setting up projects to help clear the environment by picking up papers.

There is also a need to work hand in hand with other Ugandans in order to make Uganda a better place to live in for example practicing our moral behaviour and not descriminating each other. To be a part of the Ugandan Representation of the 21st Century Schoolhouse means a lot to me because I am ready to cooperate with all the other students out there and Andy and Molly to make the world an interesting place.
Maureen Kananura

My first training as a 21st Century Schoolhouse member has been a great experience. My teachers Andrew Goldstein and Molly Kellar from Oregon were wonderful.They made learning so much fun. I am sure that I will not forget anything they said.

I have learnt how to approach issues on the enviroment- the problems and solutions to difficulties in the enviroment. I have also learnt that the problems faced in Uganda are the same everywhere else
The project also taught me communication skills through the presentations we made before the class.
I am overwhelmed by the fact that I can communicate with all you student members of the Schoolhouse and also that my school, Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga is one of the two schools representing Africa.

It has been a great pleasure working with Molly and Andy and I am looking forward to doing more work restoring the natural environment and educating the community about environmental awareness.
Myra Kinalwa.

My name is Joan and I would like to inform you that the 21st Century Schoolhouse has changed me for the better, really! I’ve learnt that going out to work for the community, sharing what you have with the rest of the community and communicating and getting to learn other people so well are the basics of living comfortably with other people .

I’ve also learnt that treating everyone equally, caring about our resources and maintenance of our economy is a vital part in keeping our environment free from any hazards there are.

All in all, I’ve also learnt to be the change and I would like to see the world in the future. I feel that the 21st Century schoolhouse is something that everyone should know about and on my part, I would make sure that it is the first thing on my lips as soon as I see anyone that doesn’t know about it.

I really feel special, overwhelmed and overjoyed to represent the African continent in the 21st Century Schoolhouse because the first time I was introduced in this project I felt I had to explore the whole world yet I actually had a lot more to learn and whenever Molly and Andrew spoke to us, I was very excited and it made me feel kind of lightheaded.

Lastly, I do believe that the 21st Century Schoolhouse is something I would like to take pride in.

Ï’ve learned a great deal about other people’s concerns for the environment and it has made my own concerns more real. And more wonderfully still , I know that I can join up with other environmentally-sensitive people to actually do something in my community for the environment. AND THE BEST THING OF ALL IS THAT I GET TO ENJOY “THE NET”
It has been great forming discussions and brainstorming with utter strangers [who are my friends now!!] Ï’m really looking forward to making friends in the schoolhouse and even more at the Perth summit.

THANKS for all the warm welcomes. I really loved seeing the beauty of Oregon on video and some shots looked so much like my favourite places in Uganda. By the way Andy and Molly are just GREAT!!
It’s wonderful to be part of such an important global cause. It makes me feel special, important and proud to be a part of the Schoolhouse .
I can virtually feel my feet growing bigger than my shoes.’

I can’t wait to actually work on projects and see them grow and make a difference in my community. I AM HONOURED TO BE A PART OF THIS PROJECT. To all the students in the schoolhouse : I CAN’T WAIT TO CORRESPOND AND WORK WITH YOU AND MEET YOU AT THE PERTH SUMMIT NEXT YEAR-God willing. Cherio!

My name is Akugizibwe Simon Peter . Iam in Namilyango College, a new member of the “ THE 21 st CENTURY GLOBAL SCHOOLHOUSE PROJECT “. I am concerned and aware of my surrounding enviroment . The enviroment is facing very many problems which are dangerous to its inhabitants . Some of this problems include; Having joined the project, I am able to think of how to solve problems in my surrounding enviroment . The project teaches as to have ideas and solutions on problems like pollution.

Thanks to the assistance of Andrew Goldstein and Molly Kellar . We are thankful for what they have done. We are appretiative of their assistance and are obliged to encourage more to join this project . Through the project , we are able to do the following ;
Inform our communities of what is happening in our enviroment , ways of maintaining it problems or factors that are anobstacle to our enviromental conservation ,preservation,and restoration.

The project is interesting in that we are able to communicate to friends all over the world on the internet .So we friends from Uganda hope to meet you soon .
THANKS TO THE 21st CENTURY GLOBAL SCHOOL HOUSE PROJECT

I have gained alot from this project the 21Century schoolhouse. Itis a nice project.Ihave gained the following from this project:
I have leant how to protect the community from pollution,desertification , defforestation ,poverty etc.
I have learnt how to work on the net with other schools sending e-mails . I hope to get in contact with other students for their ideas about the “ enviroment”
Thanks toMolly and Andrew and thanks to; “THE 21st CENTURY GLOBAL SCHOOL HOUSE PROJECT”

WAFULA DENNIS

Well I love nature ‘s beauty . But my love I see can’t do anyting about it’s wearing off . And the appearence of the core of the earth’s crust. Say the iron nature And this is brougth about by the useless things humanity has put in place to help him do away with certian things that don’t please him like the nuclear weapons .All I know with the saying of Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world . Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” I belive “THE 21st CENTURY SCHOOL HOUSE will help me work on the Enviromental Issues

Thanks to Molly and Andrew who have helped me to join this school and hope to exchange ideis with other guys out there .
Benjamin Mugadya

I am Muwesi Elly Felix in Namilango College and I am a new member in the 21st century schoolhouse. I have learnt what the 21st century school house is all about, the aims, goals, and intentions and I am very glad to be part of it and I am looking forward to going to Perth, Australia for the summit in September ‘99.
It means an oppotunity for me to be part of the Uganda representation of the 21st century schoolhouse because in this, I have learnt more about the environment and figured out methods of conserving the environment not only in Uganda but in the rest of the world.

Hoping to hear from you again,
Muwesi Felix.

Hi, Iam Kakooza Robert schooling in Namilyango College. I joined this 21 century schoolhouse project on Wednesday 15 July 1998. My participation in this project has helped me learn alot especially about environment. I have been able to learn factors affecting our environment, their effects and the solutions to this factors. And I will be able to inform other people who have not participated of what I have leant. I really thank Mr.Andrew Goldstein and Ms. Molly Kellar who have conducted us in this project. They have really made it an interesting one.

More so, it means alot to me to represent Uganda my nation and Africa as a whole. This real shows that my dreams and hopes have come true because I always thought of a day I would be known internationally and communicate to other people in the outside world and now it has become true.
I hope to communicate to you anytime. Have a good time.
KAKOOZA ROBERT.

Fisrt and foremost,i have learnt to co-operate.As I was in the training session;we as we would sit down and orally discuss on a topic that concerns the enviroment e.g pollution.I had to pretend as I did not know anything and hence thought of more and more ideas to contributeon what concerns us. Being a responsible person was another reason of my participation in the training.In my childhood I found many things destructive and I was wrong about that.Ibegan to understand that even the smallest creature would help you at a certain time.

The 21 century schoolhouse involves the participates to go out there in the world and put what they have learnt or discussed in practise.This gave me a skill of creativity which I am to exercise in my own community. Being a member of the 21 century schoolhouse means alot to me.It’s like a life time that I have got an oppotunity to be beneficial even to fish in sea,the snail the land,the snake in the forest e.t.c as Magret Mead said,`Indeed ,it’s the only thing that ever has`

The 21 century schoolhouse means something great to me;committed to hte goals and missions to achieve.It’s something that Ihave never been involved in my life.
With the aim of local action especially in our society,the 21st century schoolhouse means putting what I have learnt in action to develop the enviroment and my fellow humans.As a matter of fact,I am committed to doing anything for the schoolhouse to gain it’s success.

ITABANGI PETER
NAMILYANGO COLLEGE.

Hi Everybody

Iam Baldwin Okello from Uganda. I would like to thank the college and high schools all over the world participating in the 21st Century schoolhouse on behalf of Namilyango and Namagunga Colleges. I have really benefited alot from the project. I thought I knew much but I have realised that there is alot out there that I didn’t know and I still don’t know. We met with Andrew Goldstein and Molly Kellar and they are actually two great teachers.
We actually learn very much about your country and the problems your environment is facing. Iam sorry I don’t have much to say but never mind we shall get into contact sometime to come. And if any of you guys would like to have a pal here in Uganda, I think Iam the right person
See you soon
Okello Baldwin

This Project has tought me how to send the e-mail and to get contect with other people in other countries and am even hoping to gain much as we contiuon . I have leant how to slove the probles of the environment and how to prevent them and how to pass on that information to other people e.g acting plays and broadcasting the information to other people.
I hereby THANK YOU for what you have done.
ISABIRYE JOHN

I have learnt and gained alot from this experience and those who have an opportunity to learn with Andrew and molly are really lucky & should not misuse this chance on the ‘21st century schoolhouse’.

I’ve learnt to use e-mail ,to conserve land & to deal with certain topics like land conservation environmental issues , you may not believe this but this course has helped me with my study in subjects like History, Geography,atleast the bit about answering . If you wish to communicate to me ,use the address below;
ARINAITWE JOSEPH.

My participation in the 21st Century school House training has been very interesting especially with Molly and Andrew as our teachers.

It has improved on my environmental awareness about my country Uganda. I have learnt to put most of the stuff into action rather than just talking about it. In the discussion groups I have learnt to listen and have an open mind to other people's ideas. Our environment in Uganda needs people who are willing to stand out and educate others and help solve other various problems. As a Ugandan I should make a difference beginning with my school community and I believe I can make a difference.

It is really exciting for me to be part of the Ugandan representation in 21st century school house project.
Once again I am so grateful and thankful to Molly and Andy and please come again.
God bless you.
ELIZABETH ANN ONYAS.

I thank Andy and Molly for making it a lot of fun . For I've learnt that I should restore mother Nature and revive mother Earth.

Michael Walusimbi
NAMILYANGO COLLEGE

I am a student of the 21st century schoolhouse. I came to know about it from a one of the teachers of which I had too many questions to ask since it was my first time to hear about it. Because of these many questions I decided to join the 21st century schoolhouse.

I have acturally learnt a lot from the 21st century school, In the past I did know the importance of the enviroment but I didn't mind much about enviromental Issues I just took it as place to live in.

In this 21st century schoolhouse training I have learnt very many things which include life and it's importance, what we will face in the future if we don't check on the way we care about our envinroment. I have also learnt that our voices can make a big difference in our enviroment though I haven't yet practiced it but am sure that my voice will do make a big change in our enviroment.

Before I learnt about the 21st century schoolhouse I didn't know how to use the internet but I have now leant how to use it.

I am very proud of being a member of the 21st century and also being not only a Ugandan representative but an African representative . I will never regret taking my time with Andrew Goldstein and Molly Keller.

OPIO GEOFFREY ATIM
NAMILYANGO COLLEGE

My name is Perez David Kawumi.Iam a student in Senior Five, studying Physics, Economics, and Mathematics. I have been attending these training sessions for two days now but I doubt I have ever attended any other training session that really concerns my life.
I have been able to increase on my awareness about the serious issues concerning the environment now and in the future.I have come to understand that if I dont take care of my enviroment now, my children will have to pay for my mistakes in one way or the other.
With the 21st Century School House Project, I have been able to kill two birds with one stone. I will be able to study about conserving our environment as well as perfecting my computer skills on the Internet in particular. I am very excited about being able to interact with people all over the world. Iam looking forward to making new friends and probably getting to meet them one day. I still cant believe that the project has brought the whole world to my school.
As an African and in particular a Ugandan, I feel previlledged to be part of this project. Since the children are the leaders of the next generation, I feel that by interacting with other children all over the world on issues concerning our enviroment, we will be able to come up with solutions to the problems facing our enviroment thus sharing new ideas.
I want to thank all those taking part in the project and Iam quite sure that your efforts are not being wasted.

Being part of the Ugandan representation on the 21st Century Schoolhouse I believe is actually an honor and I owe my thanks to someone Divine. I have learnt a great deal about environmental issues like aquatic animals and ecological species and also got to that the world should become a global village working together to address environmental matters. I also got to learn that caring for the environment is not only in this country, Uganda but also other students like us do care about the environment, which makes me proud of the Schoolhouse.
As a Ugandan, I feel that it's an honor for me to have a chance of meeting students and wonderful people like Andrew and Molly and all students in Oregon, Perth, Negev, Toyama and Recife on the internet.

I've learned that the environment in which we live should be put at heart, thinking of all the natural vegetation and endangered species and growing up to watch all these fading into non- existence makes me feel so sad. All we actually do is think of the 21st Century Schoolhouse as a stepping stone to fighting all the factors which affect our environment negatively.
Hail to Andrew Goldstein, Molly Kellar, students of South Salem USA, High school of environmental studies, Warnbro commmunity High School, Daimon High School, Colegio Moyses Chvarts and Arraial Novo de Bom Jesus, and finally the 21st Century Schoolhouse.

Hi Everybody

My names are Aruho Rogers from Uganda. I am really so grateful to E-mail you this massage just to say hullo. Uganda is very interesting and we are having a great time here and learning about concerving our enviroment. I really like it so much.

My hobbies are playing lawn tennis ,Rugby and travelling. I would really love to know more about yours.Andrew and molly are here with us and we are having a wonderfull time with them. It is so interesting discussing our environmental issues and I have actually learnt alot. In my group we discussed about Desertification and the ways through which we can stop it. We guys here really apreciate what the 21st century schoolhouse project is doing for Namilyango College and Africa at large and we are going to make sure we practice what we have learnt . Otherwise school here is very interesting . We are single boys boarding school and today here we are with Mt St. mary's Namagunga which happens to be a single sex girls' school. We are having fun.

Here in Uganda we have an Education system of 13-15 years before you can join university where 2 or 3 years are spent in nusery school, 7 years in primary school, then 6 years in secondary school and you can then go to University for a course. Well me Iam in high school and offering Mathematics, Economics, Geography and Fine Art. I hope one day I will become a Pilot because it's my dream.

We are so happy for the E-mails we received yestarday and we thank you so much. I would to know more about your country and the success you have made in the 21st Century project. Keep in touch.

All from ARUHO ROGERS

Kazibwe Ruth