Friends of Bulenga

Overall goals

To provide a primary school education to children in Bulenga who otherwise would not attend school. To provide school lunches for all children who are sponsored and school uniforms for those children who cannot afford these. Secondary goals have been to improve and promote health and well-being through individual projects such as building a freshwater tank and a sanitary kitchen, providing re-usable sanitary towels to all female pupils who require these, providing toothbrushes and toothpaste to all school pupils. I have also raised money to fund a school library and school equipment as well as to provide parents/carers with training and funds to start up small enterprises to provide for their families.

Key UK Colleagues and Partners

Friends, family, colleagues. Occasionally additional support from e.g. charitable trusts and Rotary Clubs.

International Partners

Bulenga Modern Primary School, Uganda.

Sustainable development goals

• SDG 1 - No poverty
• SDG 2 - Zero hunger
• SDG 3 - Good health and well-being
• SDG 10 - Reduced inequalities
• SDG 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Funding source

Primarily through fundraising and sponsorship with some infrequent additional funds from, trusts, rotary clubs, scouting groups etc.

Project origin

I spent a year working in Bulenga, Uganda and teaching at the school. I recognised that many children were not able to register for school or could not complete their education as they could not afford this. Many children fell unwell or sadly died through preventable illness through unclean water or unsanitary cooking facilities. Girls often were unable to attend school when menstruating as they could not afford sanitary products and therefore were disadvantaged in their education.

Evidence of need

Many children fell unwell or sadly died through preventable illness through unclean water or unsanitary cooking facilities. Girls often were unable to attend school when menstruating as they could not afford sanitary products and therefore were disadvantaged in their education.

Project areas

Education

Project activities

– 657 school places have been funded
– School lunches have been provided for every sponsored child since 2007.
– School uniforms have been provided for those children who require these.
– Re-usable sanitary towels ‘Afripads’ have been supplied to all female pupils requiring these over the past 4 years.
– A fresh water tank was built to allow pupils to drink and wash with clean rainwater.
– Computers were donated and sent to the school.
– A number of books have been fundraised for and donated to create a school library.
– Toothbrushes and toothpaste was provided to all pupils.
– A fund was set up to provide training to parents/carers in practical skills as well as funds to set up small enterprises to help them provide for their families.
– Games and teaching supplies have been sent to the school.

PLANNED
– Continued sponsorship and funding of lunches and school uniforms.
– Continued and increased involvement with parents/carers to support them to be able to run small enterprises to support their families.
– The school would like to have facilities to be an education hub for the community e.g. to deliver awareness sessions to promote health and wellbeing e.g. malaria prevention, advice on dehydration in children.

Changes

To allow more children to complete a primary school education, for their parents/carers to run sustainable business enterprises. To promote health and wellbeing of the pupils and their families.

Next steps

– Continued sponsorship and funding of lunches and school uniforms.
– Continued and increased involvement with parents/carers to supporter them to be able to run small enterprises to support their families.
– The school would like to have facilities to be an education hub for the community e.g. to deliver awareness sessions to promote health and wellbeing e.g. malaria prevention, advice on dehydration in children.

Challenges

- How to prioritise needs.
- Poor access to health care for pupils.

Mitigating challenges

Primarily additional funding. Also, health expertise to provide advice to the community about preventable health problems.

Partnership principles

• strategic
• harmonised
• effective
• respectful
• organised
• responsible
• flexible

Project gains

• leadership
• teamwork
• resilience