EDUCATION
Education is the key to change and has been our focus since the early 1990s. In Uganda, access to education is where the problems begin. Although there are government schools, even there the associated fees make it almost impossible for many parents to afford. Through our sponsorship programme we have been able to offer hundreds of children the chance to attend school and start on the road to a bright future. Read more below about how we support & champion education.
KISIMULA PRIMARY SCHOOL
We have been actively involved with the primary school in Kisimula village since the early 2000s. Established by local church Pastor Samuel Gwengabo, it has developed from a single temporary wooden structure, catering for thirty or so students, to a thriving and successful school that achieves consistently good results and now has an attendance of approx. 350 students. Working alongside the school board, on which Pastor Sam still serves, we have been able to help grow the school facilities and faculty to provide affordable access to primary school education for children locally and in the surrounding area.
Currently, Kisimula Primary School has two permanent four classroom blocks & a separate nursery block . Other facilities already in place include a sanitation block, a kitchen, a well-equipped playground, a sports field, & staff accommodation. Development of the school site is ongoing and in the summer of 2023 we began construction of an admin building, incorporating school offices, a staff room, & a nurses room.
In the future we hope to expand the facilities to include a meeting hall and landscaping for the entire school compound. We need your help to achieve this and would greatly appreciate any donation you can make. Click the link below to find out how to donate.
KAPEEKA SECONDARY SCHOOL
The majority of our sponsored primary school leavers will go on to secondary school and for most this will be Kapeeka Secondary, located five miles from Kisimula village, on the outskirts of Kapeeka town.
The curriculum is similar to G.C.S.E. studies in the U.K. and students spend four years (S1 – S4) studying for the Ugandan Certificate of Education (U.C.E.); following this, students may stay on to complete S5 – S6 studying for their Advanced U.C.E. (A-Levels), while others may go on to vocational training or a diploma study course.
FURTHER EDUCATION
Beyond secondary school there are various options for the pursuit of further education. Throughout a child’s secondary school education, we monitor their progress, performance and aptitude, in relation to what may be their goals , plans, and expectations for the future. At key stages we will discuss the possibility of a number of further education options that broadly fall into three categories.
Vocational Training – For some, secondary school will lead to the pursuit of a vocational course which generally lasts between 1 – 2 years. Vocational training is usually joined after completing four years of secondary school and is often practical in nature. Completion provides students with invaluable skills upon which to build a career and grow a livelihood. Study may be undertaken at a dedicated college or it may be through an apprenticeship. Both routes are most often a boarding/residential course and a student’s costs for both the course, course materials, accommodation, food, and other practical needs must be met by the charity.
Diploma Course – A diploma course tends to be a more academic route but often incorporates practical elements relevant to the course. Specialised subjects such as nursing, specific areas of I.T., social work, etc, are typical diploma course studies. Courses are usually joined after successfully completing 6 years of secondary school. Like vocational training, these courses tend to be up to 2 years of study and students will complete their course with a recognised qualification. Diploma students will stay either on campus or in accommodation close by, primarily as there are no colleges within easy traveling distance. All costs for the study course, course requirements, accommodation, food, and other practical needs must be met by the charity.
Degree Course – Students who perform exceptionally well in secondary school and are particularly driven toward the pursuit of a career that requires a degree qualification may have the option to study a university course. This is a big consideration on the part of the charity and the student as the financial and time commitments are very significant. The study is usually for a 3 year period, although some courses can be up to 4 years, and often incorporates an internship. All university students will board either on campus or in accommodation close by and all costs for the study course, course requirements, accommodation, food, and other practical needs must be met by the charity.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Sponsorship has been at the core of our fundraising efforts since day one. Committing to provide support for a child’s education, home life, health care, and general welfare is transformative; and rewarding for all involved. Follow the link below to find out more about the amazing gift of sponsorship.