Recent reports from one of our directors on-ground in Uganda inspired us to show the growth from the seeds our Friends of Sabina family has already planted and nurtured through our four main pillars: education, infrastructure, sustainability, and community. Before we show the fruits of our community’s dedication, please enjoy a reflection from one of our fearless leaders, Ann Marie Davis.

Greetings from Uganda,

It is a pleasure to share with you some highlights from my time in Uganda. On March 13th, our co-director, Stephen Sango, and I had the opportunity to meet with the Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese, Monsignor Kasibante, to provide an update on all our work at Sabina. We specifically highlighted our successful fundraising drive for our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program.

Upon arrival at Sabina, it was evident the children were excited to be back learning in the classroom. While attending a Primary 4 math class, I was impressed to see how engaged students were in solving math problems using their new textbooks. The classroom environments look beautiful and engaging for students. Each classroom was supplied with a storage cabinet to keep all of the teacher’s materials easily accessible. The teachers were thrilled to finally have such storage to keep them organized.

It still amazes me that I hear the first bell for our students calling them to breakfast by 6:00 a.m. As I live on the campus directly across from the student dormitories, there is no need to set the alarm to wake in the morning. Our campus is moving from 5:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. when night preps end.

Studies are going on well, but I must share, that it’s not been an easy transition back to school after a long school lockdown for students and teachers. All students advanced to the next class whether they were ready or not. The curriculum for the two years has been merged into one year. The teachers added Saturday 1/2 days to allow our students more classroom instruction time.

To relieve the stress of long studies, we have introduced Saturday Movie Nights which the children have LOVED! Additionally, Sundays have been dedicated to prayer, church, and afternoon game time. Outside my door, children set up mats, tables and chairs on the grass to play games like Uno, Scrabble, and Numerical Calculations – a family game of mathematics. It has been so fun joining in on the activities with them.

Back to work - phase one of the dormitories renovation began and the interior will be painted before the students return to school from a short spring break, construction of our new computer lab continues, seeds are being sown in our permaculture program and so much more.

I’m so grateful to have all of the Friends of Sabina family in my life. Without you, we could not have accomplished any of the goals planned for Sabina. I wake each day humbled by these efforts.

May God bless you abundantly,

Ann Marie

Education

The student textbook ratio is now two to one thanks to a generous donation that has elevated the student learning experience.

The Sabina teachers continue to find fun ways to engage the students in and out of the classroom with a teacher vs. students soccer game.

Although the rainy season has begun in Uganda, our sponsored students are able to arrive at school dry and protected from the elements. A special thank you to all of the sponsors for ensuring each student has rain boots and a raincoat.

Sabina re-established Club GLOW (Girls Leading Our World). In this photo, the president of club GLOW addresses her membership. Not only do the girls learn life skills, but they also obtain additional leadership skills.

What is Club GLOW?

This program provides group mentorship based on innovative girl-centered curricula to equip them with the skills and resources they need to thrive in five areas: self-advocacy, well-being, education engagement, economic opportunity, and community impact.  Our students are happy to have a safe place to discuss the challenges they may face, build their confidence and participate in fun activities with one another.

Community

Friends of Sabina (FOS) supports the whole student from health and life skills to ensuring they are successful after they graduate from primary school and begin their respective journeys in secondary school.

Student Vaccinations
All students over the age of 12 are now fully vaccinated and our 11-year-old students received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Secondary School Visits
Our Friends of Sabina Co-director, Ann Marie, visited some of our recent graduates during their first year of secondary school.

Sustainability

With extended COVID school closure, our students are putting in additional classroom hours. However, they work in the school gardens when they can and permaculture will be incorporated in the students' second term. Meanwhile, FOS continues to invest in the school's permaculture program in collaboration with a local partnership by planting 15,000 sweet potatoes on the school's land to be nurtured during the rainy season. This will produce enough sweet potatoes to provide 75 meals for the entire school in the second and third terms.

Infrastructure

Renewing Sabina Brick-by-Brick as a Community

During Sabina's parent visitation day, parents committed to donating 50 bricks per student for the school’s security fence expansion.  Each brick is 200 Ugandan Schillings or six cents USD.  This is a major expense for many parents. One parent donated 1,000 bricks to the school!  We are grateful for the parents' commitment to the school.

Implementing W.A.S.H 

FOS has made significant progress in its water, sanitation, and hygiene plans at Sabina.  The program designs have been analyzed and locations determined for the hand sanitizer stations, water filtration system, and incinerators.  Meanwhile, design plans for bathrooms, showers, and water harvesting collection points are underway.

Dormitory Renovations
Our students will return from the holiday break to dormitory updates. The electrical wiring is being reviewed and updated as needed. The walls are also being patched and painted.

Computer Lab
In January, construction began on the school’s first computer lab, which is an addition to the school's library. Students and staff are looking forward to the expanded access to technology.