BOOK WEEK EVENT AT BRIC LIBRARY

The BRIC Community Library for the first time hosted a National Book Week, which took place from 15^th to 20^th .October. The purpose of the event was to create understanding and promote the role and relevance of libraries to the community. Around ten schools (both primary and Secondary schools) were invited. Other participants included teachers, political leaders, community elders and the media.

Over seventy pupils and students from Mother Care P/S, Calvary Christian Foundation P/S, Rock P/S, Base camp P/S, Kasese High School and Kasese Secondary School participated in this event. The event was very colorful, students and pupils read different books and shared so many educative ideas like how they can improve the reading culture among Ugandans and Africans at large, and the different issues that are continuously leading to increased number of school dropouts in the Rwenzori Region.

They stressed factors that both government and some parents have failed to address that lead to the young generation to go astray from the expected path citing drug abuse as the biggest challenge. The pupils/students decried the low cost of some spirits (alcohol) especially the one sold in small tot packs for as low as 500sh, saying most of the children can afford it.

Corruption/embezzlement of public funds and the difficulty in accessing school fees loans from banks were also mentioned among the challenges frustrating development and education at large. The students blamed government for this increased flow of drugs/alcohol for failure to put in place strict laws to curb this danger. In their discussions, the students equally blamed parents for the limited support towards education programs and their children’s welfare. They mentioned that most parents do not give adequate scholastic materials and lunch/pocket money, forcing them students/pupils to look for alternative sources, which usually turn out to be dangerous.

Similarly, some parents fear to talk about certain things like sex and menstruation with their children. Therefore, the children end up stomaching the challenge/trauma on their own without guidance, which also consequently affects their performance in class and their self-esteem. Related to this, the students/pupils decried the failure of some parents to be exemplary; arguing that some parents are alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes and thieves who have no moral authority to caution or guide their children.

They appealed to parents to be more responsible when it comes to matters of their children’s education and welfare and to the Government to take children’s concerns more serious.  “If the government does not help the young generation, how will the next Uganda be,” remarked a primary four pupil from Mother Care Primary School.

With all said and done, the book week event was a very interactive moment for the students, pupils, teachers and all the other participants. A number of things were also learnt from the event;

1.     Young people learn a lot from

adults, and from their parents, therefore parents must strive to be

exemplary for the young generation to be better persons in

future.

2.     A good reading culture

can only germinate if his

present generation, attains

it and cultivates it in

their children who will also

 pass it on to the next

generation

3.     Greed and selfishness, usually called corruption needs to end with this generation, if Uganda is to develop and benefit the coming generations.     Conclusively everyone expressed gratitude to BRIC for hosting such a marvelous event where they had an opportunity of airing out issues affecting them in both education and social life.

EIFL STAFF VISIT THE RIC-NET LIBRARY PROJECTS

Supported by Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL), RIC-NET through Busongora Information Center (BRIC) in Kasese is implementing a library project. The project which aims at Strengthening community libraries’ capacities to access, repackage and share timely, reliable and relevant Agriculture information with rural Farmers is run by Plant doctors, Community Information Facilitators, Librarians and RIC-NET ICT staff.

It is this project that Monika and Sandra of EIFL, visited on 24.08.12. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the progress of the project and its relevance to the community.

Wholesomely this project looks at two things; transforming the community library at BRIC from the traditional book store to a more dynamic and digital social center, where the community can access more than books but also internet and other multimedia services. And at supporting farmers to access and share information related to plant pests and disease management. This intervention is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving household incomes and consequent eradication of poverty and hunger in the Rwenzori region.

Under this project sixteen (16) trained plant doctors (largely farmers) are charged with  sourcing for agricultural related information from the library internet, books, and their smart phones and passing it on to the communities during plant clinic days, conducted on market days or farmer to farmer  farm visits (extension work). 

In attempts to realize this, several activities have been conducted; procurement of books and the establishment of an agricultural section in the library, procurement of equipment; computers, smart phones, modems to mention but a few. And the training of the project staff on the use of the different ICT tools and established online platforms; web portal, http://library.ricnet.co.ug and blog http://busongoranews.blogspot.com.

Apart from the Library at BRIC, the team also visited, RIC-NET secretariat, the RIC-NET E-society centers at Kabarole and Kasese Districts’ headquarters and Kabarole Public Library as one of the RIC-NET partners in the region. At the Public Library the team met  Mr. Martin the Librarian, while at the E-society centers, the team met with the E-society center attendants, and the Kasese Deputy Chairperson Local Council five Hon. Muhindo Tadeo. 


 Hon. Tadeo expressed gratitude to EIFL for choosing to support information sharing in the district and strengthening the knowledge and capacity of farmers to manage crop pests and diseases; which he said was a major threat to crop productivity and household incomes in the region.

He revealed that the District was grateful to RIC-NET for the information sharing (E-society Center) and Plant clinic initiatives in the region, asserting that the increased access to information and knowledge by the community/farmers is going to accelerate community development.
 

In addition to this, the team also interacted with the some of the plant doctors (Asthaluzi and Wilberforce) at BRIC, the BRIC Chairperson Mr. Isingoma Patrick, the  Librarian Ms. Kobusingye Lovence and some of the Library users at the Center. Other staff that participated in this activity were; the RIC-NET Information Officer-Alice, ICT Officer- Yosia, Community Out-reach Officer- Charles and the Program manger- Joselyne.

In a nutshell the visiting team was excited about the progress of the project and also learnt several things like, how it’s implemented, who implements it, the opinion of the beneficiaries, and milestones registered so far.

 

 

Are You Struggling With Research Or Where to Research From?

Here is your answer;

BRIC Community Library is a well equipped Place for all kinds of Researchers.

We have books like;

Goat, Sheep, and Pig Production and Management

Chicken production

Livestock and Fisheries in Uganda

Fish farming as a Business

A guide to Pig production

Farming Matters

Some of the Agriculture Books At BRIC Community Library

Introduction to Agronomy

Soil Fertility Management

Bee keeping

Bee products

Preservation of Fish and Meat

Rainwater Harvesting for Domestic use                                                

The Rules of the Community Mobilization

Firstaid                                                                                                           

Home Doctor

Children’s Rights

 Land Regulation Act

Police Act

Workers Compensation Act

Dictionaries



Other  Agricuture Book At BRIC Community  Library



Domestic Violence

Basic Computing Applications

Project Proposal Writing Book

Complete Guide to Drawing

Developing Future Leaders

Managing Everyday Risks

Religion Books

Improving Food Security

Cotton Growing

Climate Change and Cities

The Labour Market Conditions in Uganda

Government Reports                                              

Direction more clear than ever

The Direction is now clear. From Kilembe stage in Kasese town off to Base camp and below/opposite former Kazini hotel, you will find the sign post bearing a number of services we're offering to the community.

You are most welcome and thanks for visiting us.

ABOUT BRIC COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Busongara Rural Information Center (BRIC) has been in existence since 2005 working hand in hand with ORDISEF.

We provide information on Agriculture (plants and animals), Human rights, Corruption, Domestic violence, Governance, Health among others and also offering computer training.

And this year, in addition to the services we have been offering, we have established a community library with variety of reading materials. It’s open to all members of the community without discriminating on age, gender, status and Education background.

Since it’s restocking in March over 100 people who have visited this library and they have appreciated the service. This is evident in sharing with the library staff; for instance, one of the researchers Mr. Masereka Johnson from Katwe- Kabatoro T/C said that the place is conducive for reading and that its going to help him on Agriculture research  and Ms Mupaghasya Jovia from Base camp upper whom we are training in computer noted that the Center is not only for learning and research purposes but also for self development and Creativity       while Mr. Ahmed Hulks from Kizungu also said that he has been stranded on how to write project proposal for their organization but now he has managed to get all the information from BRIC Community Library. 

I say thanks for your support and comments. They are brilliant, interesting, and informative.

So far, the users received range from students, researchers and farmers. I am sure many other categories will be our guests as soon as they hear about this service.

As the Librarian of BRIC Community Library, I challenge everyone to come and utilize this service, for information is power and wealth.

MY DEAR BRETHREN,

Happy Moments, praise God

Difficult Moments, Seek God

Quiet Moments, Worship God

Painful Moments, Trust God

Every Moment, Thank God

TREAT SICK CROPS.

Hey, ever known that crops too have Clinics? Well RIC-NET in collaboration with Plantwise Uganda and Cabi-UK are implementing a project, Healthy Plants for Healthy people! 
This project aims at fighting crop pests and diseases for increased farm production and consequent eradication of poverty and hunger in the Rwenzori region.

Plant clinics are operated by competent plant doctors on every market day in Kisinga, Mpondwe-Lubhiriha, and Kyondo-Kinyabisiki Markets, and Mpanga Market in

SPEAK OUT ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR!

Are you seeking to be heard, do you want to participate in development and decision making processes in your community and country?; Just type Join on your mobile phone and send to 8500 and be a  U-reporter today. 

U-report is an SMS tool used for social development; it provides an opportunity for individuals especially the youth to share information and also voice out the silent issues affecting them in their communities. Speak – out on what’s happening in your community; be a U-reporter today! This message is brought to you by BRIC in partnership with UNICEF through RIC-NET.

SEARCH NO MORE!

BRIC and RIC-NET Staff at work in the library at BRIC

Search and worry no more, the Community Library is finally here; Busongora Rural Information Centers- BRIC, originally known as ORDISEF, with support from Uganda Community Libraries through RIC-NET has  set up a Community Library at the Center in Base camp Opposite Spring International Hotel. Stocked with both soft and hard information on various issues; governance, agriculture, health, education, environment, Human rights, Oil and gas, the different Laws, Acts and Policies, Climate change, Market prices, crop pests and disease management to mention but a few, BRIC invites you to utilize this facility. You cannot afford to be ignorant, embrace this opportunity!

Bric now ict compliant

bric here we're...watch the space