Building a Better Future – by Michael Fardella

Terry and I spent one morning at the Mukono Boarding School, shooting video of Susan Wamala the Head Teacher/Principal talking about and showing us all of the wonderful projects that Sister Schools, with your help, our supporters, have done for this school.

Six years ago when Sister Schools started working with Mukono Boarding School, they had 489 students.  Today, they have 1,015 students.  The reason for more than doubling of the student population is YOU.

Our first project was a Resource Center, that not only functions as a library, but houses a kindergarten class as well, a rarity in Uganda.  Our next project was to build a girls bath house, now 215 girls who board at the school can bath in privacy, protected from the elements.

A secure wall was then added to keep unwanted passersby from wandering through the school grounds, stealing or possibly hurting a child.  A new kitchen was recently added in order to feed 1,015 children efficiently and cleanly.  The boys dormitory was painted to protect it from weather and finally a new classroom block of four classrooms are being built in order to accommodate the growing population.  All of these projects were undertaken and completed, because of your commitment to helping a group of children to get a better education and have the hope for a better life.

Of course, we have to commend Susan an her staff for the excellent management of the resources that you provided.  The have the single minded focus to do the best they can for the children at Mukono Boarding Primary School.  The parents in the community see this and want their children going to the school there, resulting in the population explosion they are experiencing.  But that’s not all, Mukono Boarding School has recently been named the model school in the Mukono District, that all other schools should strive to emulate.

I tell you all of this to validate for you that your help is going to a great cause.  Helping people, help themselves to a better future.  The Ugandans that Sister Schools partners with the hard working, dedicated, committed, smart and most of all, caring that their children have the hope of a brighter future.

Thank you.

Michael Fardella – Sister Schools Board Chair