Rotary in a campaign to build a school in Ssese Islands

CHARITY|EDUCATION

KALANGALA - Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands (RCKSI) has launched a campaign to raise sh70m for the construction and equipping of Ddagye Early Childhood School in Kalangala district (Ssese Islands) as part of their adopt a village programme.

Last year RCKI in partnership with the Kalangala district and Wamala family embarked on construction on an early childhood school in the area.

The proposed project will consist of two school blocks, teachers' quarters and sanitation amenities.

Nelson Kabwama, the RCKI president, said Kalangala district faces unique challenges that have made it lag behind other districts of Uganda in terms of social and economic development.

"National statistics show that the district has some of the worst education indicators. Less than 28% of all school-age children are in school; only about 30% of children recruited in P.1 actually complete P.7," he said.

In an interview with the New Vision recently, Kabwama noted that the project seeks to improve access to quality elementary and lower primary education through provision of appropriate school facilities.

"It will also minimize exposure of young learners to risks of car accidents, molestation and defilement as they walk to and from the available distant schools," he noted.

He further explained that the project will supplement and strengthen existing district efforts in the delivery of valuable elementary and primary education.

"The project would also complement government's efforts of improving sanitation and hygiene in the school through improved access to clean water and provision of hand washing facilities," he said.

Kabwama said that they have partnered with Afrigo Band to fundraise for the cause through a concert dubbed Cheza-na Afrigo.

"The event will bring together more than 500 Rotarians, members of the corporate world to have fun while contributing to a noble social cause," he said.

The aim is to raise sh70m towards completing Ddagye Early Childhood School on the main island of Buggala.

What has been done so far?

Since 2015, the RCKSI has been implementing a programme known as ‘Adopt a Village' at Ddagye village.

The first project of the programme was the construction and equipping of a Health Centre II facility that was funded jointly by the Wamala family and RCSKI.

The health facility cost over sh180m and now serves 2,000 people. It was handed over to Kalangala district in 2016.