Kampala — GULU Chairman, Nobert Mao and district officials were made to sit on the floor recently. A Zambian national carrying out a desk campaign for rural-based schools asked the Gulu leaders to have a 30 minute experience of what children go through daily without desks.

Patrick Sikana, his daughter Kandafula Sikana and son Masuwa Sikana were launching 'a desk for every child in northern Uganda' campaign, which aims at raising funds to secure desks for a thousand UPE children. The launch took place at the Churchill Court Hotel.

"You are just sitting on the floor of less than 10 minutes and yet those children in the village schools sit on the dusty floor day in day out. What will your contribution be for them?" Sikana asked.

"My daughter Kandafula and family members contributed 55 desks for 165 children at Lumule primary school in Kitgum. A desk that seats three children costs sh70,000. I am surrendering my salary for the month of August to secure 55 desks and tables for teachers.

These shall be delivered to Lumule Primary School," he said.

Sikina pledged to hire research assistants to conduct desks assessment in each primary school in Gulu, Amuru, Pade and Kitgum districts to establish existing gaps.

"These research assistants will also collect names of every child sitting on the floor and use it to raise funds from donors and well-wishers to secure desks for every child in northern Uganda," Sikana said.

He revealed that in Agoro sub-county, Kitgum district, which has eight primary schools, over 400 desks are required while schools in Matidi sub-county need over 350 desks. "This can change the life of these children and we shall achieve our goal," Sikana said. He said textbooks and classrooms are being given to the village schools, but desks are not being considered.

The leaders hailed Sikana and his family for his initiative to start the campaign to solicit for desks for every child in the north.