Celebrating Ten Years and Making a Difference
This month Classrooms for Africa winds up the celebration of ten years in operation. Thanks to our many faithful donors we have been able to construct the equivalent of over 380 permanent classrooms in 60 schools in 8 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. The impact on local communities is immeasurable. All schools we have worked with are independent Christian schools run by communities, concerned about the quality of education available to children in their area. Building projects have ranged from single classrooms to complete schools. In addition to regular classrooms we have built science laboratories, multipurpose rooms, offices and storage area, dormitories, kitchens, pit latrines, wash “houses” and rainwater harvesting systems.
One of the schools that has benefited from partnering with Classrooms for Africa is Rwentutu Christian School, located in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in Western Uganda. The school is part of a community project that also includes a medical clinic, adult education programs and a women’s micro-credit initiative.
The Kambere family, Ugandans now living Canada, founded the Umoja Operation Compassion Canada Society as a vehicle to provide assistance to the needy in their home area of Uganda. In 2005 Umoja, through the Kambere family, provided the land for the establishment of the Rwentutu Community Development Project and the school. Using an old house on the property and four classrooms built with the help of a Christian school and church in Canada the school was started.
Classrooms for Africa became involved, in our first year of operation in 2008, with Rwentutu Christian School. That year, with funds provided by the Glenmore Christian School Community in Calgary, Alberta, a four-classroom block was built. In 2010 a second four-classroom block was constructed, this time funded by individual donors in Western Canada. A three-classroom, Early Learning Centre, was built in 2015 funded by Christian Schools in Western Canada. Finally in 2018 a large multi-purpose complex with meeting hall and storage was funded by donors from Western Canada and the UK was added.
The teachers at Rwentutu Christian School have received training and professional development through the programs operated by ACSI Western Canada and ACSI Uganda.
Today Rwentutu Christian School enrolls over 210 students in Kindergarten through Grade 7. The Grade 7 students have consistently done very well in their State examinations with a pass rate of 100%. The school is rated very highly by the district education officials.
The School and Community Project continues to grow, benefitting many families in this impoverished area through the provision of quality education for children, a clinic, adult education programs and other services.
Classrooms for Africa CEO, Kory and his family members have visited the school many times. The new multi-purpose complex is dedicated to the memory of their mother, Meg Sorensen. As well, a MEG outreach program is going to be launched in January to benefit women in and around Rwentutu village.
It is good to join hands and partner with various organizations to ensure the education and future of a community previously in great need. Thank you all donors and supporters!
