UNITEd Friendships

Brian Brinkley came up with the term UNITEd Friendships to describe our goal of creating more then just pen pals with our letter exchanges. What would happen if the context of our communication between students in Uganda and North Carolina was more directed in purpose then just exchanging of basic information. What would happen if we enlisted students to write letters to each other, corporations, governments, politicians, or others for the express desire of helping to secure the needed help that you would provide for a friend in need. For these reasons we have chosen to call them UNITEd Student Friendships and UNITEd Corporate Friendships

If your classroom would like to establish a pen pal relationship with some of the schools in Uganda that we have a relationship with, please follow the directions below. Please remember that although the students may be in 3rd or 4th grade they may also be as old as a US Middle School student. Flexibility is the key to this program.

All initial letters should be addressed to Dear Friend or some such greeting. Please make sure the letters contain teacher information along with the students first and last name so we can get it to the correct student. It is best if the letters contain some sort of information on the writer and some questions about the person who will receive the letter. We suggest you send pre-addressed sheets of paper for the students to write back on since it will help provide them with paper and

Once all of the letters are ready, you can place them in a large envelope and address it to:

Tinka John will see that the school receives the letters. Make sure the letters are clearly marked as to what school will be receiving the letters.

Schools you can write: (Please note that in 2005 we have paired schools so that all schools can recieve pen pal letters. If you are presently writing to any of these schools continue to do so but please try to start sending letters to your designated "sister" school).

Bigodi Primary School - P.O. Box 700 - Fort Portal, Uganda - Teachers: Muhumure Alex, Mugume Johnson, Kajumba Stella, Byaruhnga Julius, Kakai Slivia, Olishaba Lydia, Kasenene Wilson and Asaba Silver. (Cape Fear Center for Inquiry)

Bigodi Secondary School - P.O. Box 700 - Fort Portal, Uganda - Teachers: Sabiiti Emmanuel , Byaruhanga Amos, and Tumwesigye Mohamed (Greensboro Day School)

Bunoga Primary School – P.O. Box 214 - Fort Portal, Uganda - Teachers: Wagaba Julius & Kamuhanda Narcensio (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools)

Busiriba Primary School – P.O. Box 497 - Kamwenge, Uganda - Teacher: Bwesigye Didas (Randleman Middle School)

Kiyoima Primary School – P.O. Box 1430 - Kamwenge, Uganda - Teacher: Byomuhangi Timothy (Cape Fear Center for Inquiry)

Nyabubale Primary School – P.O. Box 1414 - Kamwengeius, Uganda - Teacher: Kiconco Benson (Durham Academy)

Rugonjo Primary School - P. O. Box 497 - Fort Portal, Uganda - Teacher: Kobusingye Christen (Durham Academy)

Rwengobe Primary School - P.O. Box 700 - Fort Portal, Uganda - Teacher: Magezi Deo (McCrary Elementary)

Rweterra Primary School - P.O. Box 619 Fort Portal, Uganda Teachers: Balinda Robert, and Kabacaaki Prossy (Carolina International School)

Saint Peters and Saint Paul Primary School - P.O. Box 215 - Fort Portal, Uganda - Teacher: Kyosaba Edvine

Prior to writing any corporations, please contact us to make sure the message is clear and the request is appropriate.

Apple Computer

Marketing Department/Social Responsiblity Division

1 Infinite Loop

Cupertino, CA 95014

The need for laptop computers is great as is the need for digital software that comes on all laptops from Apple. Apple has already been a corporate friend to the UNITE Project by donating an iBook in 2003 and two more in 2004!

AlphaSmart Corporation

Marketing Department/Social Responsiblity Division

973 University Ave.

Los Gatos, CA 95032

The need for additional AlphaSmarts has been a consistent request since AlphaSmart made there first donation in 2002. To date AlphaSmart has donated 60 AlphaSmart 2000 models which are being used by teachers and students at seven schools served by the UNITE Project. It would be great to get more 2000 models or 3000 models to help lower the per pupil ratio which is something like 1/100 students.

This is a target corporate friend as it was identified in 2004 that the use of portable handheld computers could help the students and teachers continue to progress with aspects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) presently unavailable. Models such as M100, M125 or M135 with keyboards, docks, and software would be the initial targeted technology. Wireless models would be wonderful and useful in smaller numbers as wireless phone networks are just becoming available in the UNITE targeted areas of Uganda.

To date all digital camera and camcorder training done with the Ugandan teachers has been done with SONY equipment. Cameras and Digital 8, MiniDV camcorders, memory sticks, stick readers, blank tapes and spare batteries would be a target as UNITE begins to teach teachers how to create digital curriculum for use with their students.

LCD Projectors, Televisions and VCRs, DVD Players, Portable Radios are also wonderful media tools to request as any will incorporate aspects of ICT.

With all of the tools we are looking to include, we will need a power source and solar is the obvious choice especially since it already is in wide use throught out the country.