We’re excited for the bright school year ahead for all the children. Another year of learnings and growth!
Construction continues on the Bill O'Connell Classroom Block
We are pleased to report that construction on the middle school block continues. Our plan is to build in phases; a quarter of the building at a time. This phased approach means that there will be periods of construction and periods when the work will be paused. It is in those paused stretches that weathering can negatively impact the previous work done, so in this latest phase we secured and sealed the entire slab foundation so as to avoid weathering and the possibility of having to repeat previous work. Below pictures show wall and frame construction as well as the work completing the slab foundation. We’re making progress, and thank you as always to our many supporters.
Sponsor Letters from our Students
We have a sampling of letters to share from our students. Below you can see the letters that students who are part of our Child Sponsorship Program wrote to their sponsors. These letters are a way for the students to offer their perspective and maintain a communication link between student and sponsor. Some colorful drawings and warm words illustrate both the students’ gratitude and focus areas in their education.
Our sponsorship program enables those interested to directly support the tuition fees for children in Ongutoi village who would otherwise not be able to pay. The children attend the Samaritan Nursery and Primary School and the in-development Bill O'Connell middle school classroom block. Through the program, students can attend school for the full 12 months of the year - with housing, food, medical, and clothing all provided, in addition to the childrens’ education. The annual tuition is $250 and the sponsorship can be broken up monthly ($22/mo). For those that are interested, please visit our Child Sponsor Program page, where we detail the full structure of the sponsorship program. The first step in the process is completing the Child Sponsorship Form.
Update on the Bill O’Connell Classroom Block
Although we’ve made strong progress with the Bill O'Connell (Middle School) Classroom Block over the past year, construction had slowed for several months. Due to the staggered nature of the recent work there were concerns about weather damage on the work done to date. We are now happy to report that there was a Hammer Rebound Lab test done to check for quality and compliance, and we have passed. Work will resume this week!
Merry Christmas & the Bill O’Connell Classroom Block
Merry Christmas to all! As we prepare for the holidays we wanted to be the first to express our gratitude, appreciation and joy to all our supporters! Below you can see the progress of the Bill O’Connell Classroom Block middle school which is the right side of the photo that includes the restroom and the 3 classrooms in the 1st quarter block of construction. The foundation for the entire school was completed and funded by the donations from Billy’s services. For the one year death anniversary, we had the Tribute Fundraiser which raised $25,000 for this phase of construction.
This upcoming school year starts in January and for the first time, our 34 graduates will maintain on our campus to attend middle school! We have hired a middle school principal and two teachers. The continuation of each students’ education allows for future sustainability of the villages! Without school the children, some as young as 10yrs old, would be put to work as farmers in order to financially help the family but this usually ends up their path in life-generation after generation. Our students want to be police officers, nurses, teachers and pilots!
Father Alex wants no child to have to endure the extreme hardships he did as a child to get to and from school. There is an extreme lack of resources to support the people in Uganda in recovering from a 20yr civil war and families struggle to feed their children unless they too work!
The Samaritan Nursery and Primary School and now the Bill O'Connell Classroom Block middle school will allow the children to live at the school for 12 months a year which includes safety, nourishment and education!
The Core Uganda team both in the U.S. and Uganda want to wish you all a Blessed Holiday season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God is Good!
Announcing our Child Sponsorship Program
We’re excited to announce that this year we are launching a new Child Sponsorship Program that will enable sponsors to provide direct support for the tuition fees for children in Ongutoi village at the Samaritan Nursery and Primary School and at in-development Bill O'Connell Classroom Block for middle schoolers. Sponsorship makes it possible for a student to attend school 12 months a year, providing housing, education, food, medical care, and clothing. The annual target is to have 95 children sponsored in order to deliver on the current need of the community.
Annual tuition is $250/yr and sponsorship can be broken down to $22/mo.For those that would like to participate, the donation is tax deductible and payment is through PayPal on the day of your choosing. Check and money order are available as well.
To learn more, please visit our Child Sponsor Program page, where we outline the structure of the program and how you can participate. First step is to complete our Child Sponsorship Form.
And we are now happy to report that our first set of children have been sponsored. This represents a big step and one we are very grateful to share. Our coordinator, Ruth, has already organized the initial correspondence between the sponsors and the children sending out letters and photos to provide updates. Thanks to all who have supported these efforts, and more news to follow!
Groundbreaking of the Bill O'Connell Classroom Block
We are happy to report today is the official groundbreaking! The ceremony started at 2pm Ugandan time with a special blessing of the foundation stone block. Our hearts are filled with joy and we send all supporters our sincere gratitude. The entire contractor team has been to the grounds and from today we will be getting into the first phase of work. Very exciting times for the school, and we will have more updates soon.
3rd Annual Giving Tuesday campaign is live!
CORE Uganda's 3rd annual Giving Tuesday campaign for the Good Samaritan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti-Uganda has a goal to raise a full year's school operating budget of $6,000. This covers 62 children's tuition, food, shelter, school supplies,security and teacher salaries for 12 full months. Donations are tax deductible and being accepted onlline through Go Fund Me or by mail. Any amount small or large is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your generous and continued support!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/core-uganda
Over $3000 was raised for 2018's #givingtuesday campaign. The money was used to provide bunk beds, mattresses and desks for the children of the Good Samaritan Nursery School in Fr. Alex's village in Soroti Uganda. Look at those happy faces! :-)
We'd be so grateful for your support of CORE Uganda's 2019 #givingtuesday campaign. $6000 will clothe, feed, educate and house 62 children for one full school year!
