Maryhill alumni launch sh300m fundraiser for chapel

Former students of Maryhill High School in Mbarara have unveiled a fundraising drive to raise sh300 million required for the completion of the school chapel.
 
The campaign was announced at a press conference held at the school's premises. Santo Atukunda, the chairperson of the Maryhill Old Girls Association (MOGA), said they launched the campaign after realizing the current chapel was overfilled.
 
Gloria Nakanwagi Rukwenge, the school's deputy head teacher, told New Vision the chapel was built to accommodate only 400 students but the school's population has grown to over 1500 girls.
 
The project is one of the components of the multi-billion jubilee complex which was put up when the school was celebrating 50 years of existence. Rev. Fr. Dido Nshekanimanya Gervase, who is the chairman board of governors, said it will be useful for liturgical activities.
 
"We are asking people to lend us a hand to complete the facility because we have over 1500 girls and when parents and Old Girls gather they are outnumbered by the current facility," he said.
 
"We can no longer be accommodated by the chapel because it is very small," said Cencepta Njolima, the school's headgirl.

"We are out there in the heavy rain and we can't concentrate on prayer. We appeal to anyone out there who knows what Maryhill High School can instill in someone to contribute to this cause," she appealed.
 
Mary Francis Kabaterine Ssemambo, a former religious prefect at the school, said the project was one way of giving back to the community.

Rev. Fr. Nshekanimanya urged parents to pay attention to the project, saying churches in schools have a big aspect of nurturing development of children.
 
He said it is important that children grow up with values and the church is very strategically positioned to do that.

He said churches help in reinforcingstudents' Christian identity, supporting their lives and work as Christians and it creates inter-faith cooperation in schools.