3. Improving quality of Education service provision:
Nelson Mandela once said ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. Education, both formal and informal, can give one the knowledge, skills and confidence to build a better future.
In Uganda, getting access to education in the first place can be a huge challenge. In 1997 the Ugandan government introduced universal primary education (the idea that all children should be able to attend primary school for free) and in 2007 universal secondary education. Unfortunately the demand for free education outstrips the availability of places at the free government schools. It is not uncommon for schools to have well over 1000 children, with very little in the way of facilities.
Most of the government schools are very far from some of the communities making it hard for young children to attend. This was the case for the situation in the community of Kabawala. The nearest government school is approximately 15km away. Children were unable to walk this distance to attend school, unless they are big enough.
In 2012, parents around this area agreed to start a school closer to them for the benefit of their children. The local church offered land, and the parents were able to put up semi-permanent structures that the school has used since. That is how Kabawaala Infant School,(also known as Lauren Memorial School) was born. The school currently has 382 children, all from needy families.
Over the years the school has been limited by lack of adequate facilities, early 2016, the government threatened to close it down. At this time, the parents and community contacted Suubi Community Projects-Uganda, with a request that we take up the management and development of the school.
With funding from Awesome Cause Foundation and Friends of St.Georges, Luxembourg we have been able to put in place: The recommended number of teachers, a modern pit latrine and school kitchen, a borehole for water, 3 permanent classroom blocks, classroom desks, text books and others scholastic materials.
We also provide a daily nutritious lunch to all the kids while they are at school.
