Build A Primary School for 300 students in Uganda!

As the first school term of 2023 in Uganda comes to a close, we wanted to take the opportunity to share our highlights and challenges with you, our devoted supporters. 

We have so much to celebrate! Here are just a few highlights:

• In January, we hired and onboarded the incoming class of teachers at Rukundo Preparatory School (RPS), giving each new technology and additional educational training to help students learn, play, and communicate more effectively in and out of the classroom. 
• We’re fortunate to have hired both an occupational therapist and counselor that specialize in counseling and empowering children, youth, and families in the face of struggling circumstances.
• The first school term of 2023 launched on February 6th. We enrolled 204 students at Rukundo Preparatory School, from baby nursery class up to fourth grade. We finished the term successfully on May 5th. The students will be on holiday for three weeks, and return for the second term on May 29th. 
• Our school gardens have continued to flourish, thanks to our growing population of goats and the manure they provide to enrich the soil. The gardens help us to provide two meals a day to each of our students, in a country where 50% of children do not eat three meals a day. 
• We exceeded our $10K goal for our Spring Make Your Mark(et) fundraiser! A heartfelt THANK YOU to all who contributed.  We still have many items left to purchase to provide continued support for our students. Please check it out. 

With successes also come challenges. 

• While our 4th grade classes are up and running, we still do not have a dedicated location to host these students. We are urgently fundraising to raise the last of the funds needed so that we can finish construction of our next classroom and provide a permanent space for these youngsters to continue their education. In the meantime, we have converted the resting (nap) room into a small classroom. 
• Uganda has been experiencing heavy rains that have caused enormous losses in the agricultural sector. Most gardens, including small family gardens, have been destroyed by floods. Coupled with already-increasing inflation, food prices are skyrocketing, while the majority of our parents and guardians live below the poverty line. This has further increased their struggles to provide their children with basic needs. During school, students at RPS receive meals each school day, but the holidays prove challenging for our students. We have been hosting meetings and counseling parents on the things their children need to stay healthy. We are hopeful that the parents will prioritize providing meals for their children this holiday, where they are able.  For the families unable to garden, we continue to provide food and supplies to supplement. 

To close out, we want to introduce you to two of the incredible individuals that your donations directly support! 

Humans of Rukundo: 

Meet our Head Teacher, Mr. Joseph! Mr. Joseph teaches English and science at Rukundo Preparatory School. 

His Favorite Subjects: English and Science 

Why did you want to become a teacher?: “To touch the souls of young ones and help them towards their academic achievements.”

Favorite sport: Football and volleyball 

Favorite hobby: Debating

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?: The U.S.

Meet Tricia, our newly elected Assistant Head Girl! Head students serve as representatives and role models, like a classroom captain. 

Under her new role, Tricia has the important responsibility of assisting her teacher with the day-to-day tasks of the classroom, such as organizing classroom debates, collecting workbooks for grading, and more! 

“It was my first time to compete for an elective position. I was so nervous, but when I told my father he encouraged me to contest and told me that I can be anything in the world if I keep determined and focused. 16 girls contested for the post of Assistant Head Girl. I feared going to other classes to ask for votes, but I did it. Finally, when the day came I was able to stand before the whole school and ask my fellow pupils for their support.  I was overwhelmed by the support and I came out the winner.

I am so grateful to God and to all those who supported me. I am very happy and dedicated to my work as a leader and will be a good example to my fellow learners.”

Congratulations to Tricia for not only earning her position, but staying determined to pursue her goals! 

Links:

• 2023 Make Your Mark(et)

Dear Rukundo Family,

You made 2022 matter.

As part of our mission, you joined us in empowering Kabale, Uganda’s most vulnerable populations through educational and economic opportunities that create pathways to self-sustaining communities. As we launch into a new year, we wanted to share with you the impact that you’ve collectively helped make in 2022.

Our Impact:

• Provided a quality, holistic education to the 182 students enrolled at Rukundo Preparatory School,

• Served 67,704 meals,

• Mentored and fed 200+ children each week at our Kid’s Sunday Community Program,

• Empowered the 58 girls enrolled in our Girl’s Empowerment Program,

• Sustained our 52 students receiving Scholarships,

• 20+ goats born,

• Supported the 22 Women in our Agricultural Co-op to become community leaders,

• Employed 20 staff,

• Launched 98 micro-businesses,

• Collected 6,380 pairs of shoes,

• And so much more!

 We're so grateful to our generous community of supporters for making all of these things possible.

Thanks to the spirit of generosity of our loyal community of supporters during the recent holiday giving season, we are currently only $2,730 away from funding our fourth grade classroom! If everyone who sees this email gave just $10, we would meet our goal and begin construction during the next school holiday. We can’t do it without your generous financial support, of which nearly 100% goes to programs.

We have accomplished so much, but won’t you help us achieve another noble goal to complete the 4th grade classroom to ensure our students a dedicated space to learn?

You are not just giving $10 or $100 or $1,000 – you are giving a brick, mortar for walls, paint, supplies, a teacher’s salary – the gift of an education for hundreds of vulnerable children. 

This year has posed challenges, but with the love and generosity from our strong community, we have continued to change the lives of thousands of vulnerable individuals in rural Uganda. Thank you for being a part of our community and sharing in our successes. We couldn’t do it without you. Happy New Year from all of us at Rukundo International!