bill O'Connell memorial Middle School block
Core Uganda is building a middle school block in memory of Bill O’Connell to serve the Soroti community. The block will be part of The Samaritan Nursery and Primary School. In early 2021, Bill (Billy) O'Connell, a lifelong Berwyn, IL resident and graduate of St. Leonard School, was planning a prolonged trip to Ongutoi to advance Core’s educational efforts. The focus was addressing the community’s heightened need for a new middle school and additional dorms for the growing student population. Bill planned to lead the construction of an 8-classroom block that would ultimately accommodate 320 children, with work beginning in late 2021.
Billy completed months of pre-trip preparation with school staff in Soroti, and the students and staff alike were prepared to welcome him with joy. Sadly, Bill was involved in a vehicle accident days before his trip and succumbed to his injuries on September 24, 2021.
Billy’s dream and memory will live on with the construction of the 8-block classroom middle school to be named in his memory as the "Bill O'Connell Memorial Block." The O'Connell Family thoughtfully offered donations to Core Uganda, in lieu of flowers at Bill's funeral services. The generosity was overwhelming with donations totaling over $10,000, providing the funds for the concrete blocks for the school's foundation. We look forward to soon completing the multi-year project set to provide wider educational opportunities for the children of the Soroti community.
Construction continues and for the latest updates, please visit our News page.
Classroom Sponsorships
The 8 classrooms of the middle school block have been generously sponsored, each of them with a $5K donation. A special thanks to the below benefactors who have sponsored these classrooms:
Marvin & Dorothy Gorss
Rogelio & Luz Elena Peña
Geiger Family
Joseph Kras
Casey & Mary Kras
O'Connell Family
St. Leonard
Kirley Foundation for Michael O'Connell