Build A School for Kids in Uganda

12 March 2014  |  In the remote village of Kabasegwa, Uganda, where there once existed little more than a grass-thatched hut, now stands a ten-room brick school-house, thanks in large part to the hard work, tireless enthusiasm, and incredible generosity of the University of Texas-Austin chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Their fundraising and outreach efforts enabled Building Tomorrow to partner with eight communities in Uganda’s Lyantonde District to provide access to a quality education for hundreds of out-of-school children. And early last Friday morning, amidst a crowd of 500+ parents, family members, friends, government officials and local leaders, we celebrated the opening of their school: the Building Tomorrow Academy of Kabasegwa.

In line with recent updates to our model, the Academy is what we consider a public/private hybrid. Private, because parents have committed to making contributions to the school each term to fund a nursery (pre-K) teacher, supplemental classroom materials, and daily meals for students. And public, because it's considered to be ‘government-aided’ by the Ugandan Ministry of Education & Sports, meaning that they fund salaries for primary-level (P1-P7) teachers but they’re not the ‘founding body’ of the school. Teachers have likewise been posted by the government, and a member of our staff, Willy (who serves as our Education Support Officer) interviewed and approved their hiring. He is also providing ongoing training opportunities.

In short, the community couldn't be more supportive or excited. And starting this past Monday, students and teachers reported for their first day of class.

at a glance

supported by  |  Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Texas-Austin
district  |  Lyantonde District
site managed by  |  Jjumba Cyprian
building committee chair  |  Perez Mwesigye
groundbreaking  |  Sep 21, 2012
first day of class  |  Mar 10, 2014

in pictures

from the chairman

"Today is a happy day because we celebrate the work that has been done here. For us to have a school here, us now here in Kabasegwa have a degree. Our students must be well looked after in buildings as well built as these.

When you own a banana plantation, you don't only look at the leaves and disregard the fruit. So with this school, parents, we don't just look at this school and say we are finished. No. We use this as an impetus, a fire behind us to do more. When we close here don't go. There's good food to eat and big plans to be made."

- Perez Mwesigye
Chairman, BT Academy of Kabasegwa Community Building Committee