Sunshine and Success: Advancing Education and Community in Uganda
As we welcome the delightful sunshine of the dry season, we're thrilled to share with you the exciting progress we've made across all our core pillars: Infrastructure, Sustainability, Community, and Education at Sabina Boarding Primary School. But first a note from Maria White, Friends of Sabina co-director, who was on campus in June.
Introduction from our Co-Director - Maria White
“Celso and I are so excited to be back on ground with our Sabina Family. It’s like our home away from home. Gosh we missed these beautiful smiles, warm hugs, Ugandan hospitality and the non-stop chitter chatter on campus! As expected, this trip was action packed! We met our goals of assessing current and future sustainability initiatives, ran a medical camp, got the bakery program up and running, worked with staff to evaluate and update Sabina’s SWOT, and helped to address various technical issues around campus. Our sweet friend Braden joined us for 2 weeks and offered her medical expertise during the medical camp and to the students/teachers. She took charge of refurbishing the school planters and brought loads of nursery school supplies. We appreciate you- Braden!
Thank you FOS team for your continued dedication to improving lives! Our commitment is a calling…..”
Maria, Celso, and Braden with Sabina Staff and students.
Education
Coffee Management Training & a Blooming New Term
As the first term drew to a close on May 5th, the Sabina campus echoed with goodbyes as students left for the holiday period. But for five P6 and P7 boys, the educational journey was extended. They opted to remain on campus, engaging in a hands-on coffee training program led by our permaculture team. The program equipped these students with key agricultural skills, from planting to harvesting coffee beans. They finished eager to apply their new understanding to their family farms, highlighting the program's actionable impact.
While the official start of school was May 29th, we implemented a staggered reopening. Our upperclassmen were the first to arrive, resuming their studies on May 15th. The rest of our students returned to Sabina campus on May 29th, their cheerful voices filling the school once more. We're proud to share that we now have 369 students in our family, including 34 newly enrolled pupils. This growth is a testament to the trust and faith that families place in the holistic education provided at Sabina.
Students and staff during the coffee course.
Healthy coffee beans in the green cherry phase.
Embracing Play-Based Learning
This year, Sabina is honing its Early Childhood Education (ECE) program to incorporate a play-based curriculum, aligning with the guidelines of Uganda's Ministry of Education & Sports. FOS sponsored a workshop during the break, where a specialist trained our teachers on the National Framework. The application of this approach kicked off with the onset of Term II.
If you want to support more programs like this at Sabina - visit our get involved page here.
Tech Upgrade: TransMontaige's Generous Donation
Thank you, TransMontaige Company, for the recent donation of 10 computers. Sabina has received 31 computers since the beginning of this partnership. P5-P7 are receiving the following lessons: introduction to computers, computer maintenance, and word processing. This year the P4s began receiving an introduction to keyboard lessons. Each class receives two lessons per week. Teachers also receive weekly lessons and have open access to the computer lab. Further expansion is planned!
P7 student Maurice says, "Learning the computers gives me a bright future and improves my academic performance."
Teachers helping students with computer lessons.
Students working together on computer lessons.
Empowering Our Team: Workshop on Strategic Development
Our team recently participated in an engaging workshop, led by our school manager and FOS director Ann Marie Davis with assistance from volunteer, Megan Hehir. We focused on refreshing our staff's understanding of key procedures and policies, and revisited Sabina’s strategic plan. Reviewing our key performance indicators for tracking progress also formed a critical part of this capacity-building session.
Community
Reaching Out to the Community
Our June medical camp, led by Maria and Celso White, was a resounding success! The camp served men, women, babies, and elders in the community. This population, with limited access to medical and dental care due to lack of funds, was offered much-needed services on Sabina's campus. With a combined team of 14 Kampala medical staff, 5 local medical professionals, and 3 Sabina alumni, we were able to serve over 400 people in need. Our deepest gratitude goes to Medical & Dental Missioners of Africa, who partnered with us for this event, and the Ladies of Hilton Head Island and friends for their invaluable support.
Achievements for our Students During Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week, as it's known, is a competition among Catholic schools across various dioceses, showcasing performing arts that are integral to our faith. Our students, from parish to diocese levels, have demonstrated their talents and dedication in choir singing, traditional dancing, Bible reading, and essay writing. Ann Marie Davis, FOS co-director, returned to Uganda to support our students as they competed in the final round. With over 30 schools competing, it was a highly competitive finale. Sabina claimed 1st place in both the Traditional Dance and Bible Reading categories, and third place in Choir. As a result of the overall performance, Sabina was awarded 2nd place in the Masaka Diocese Education Week finals, showcasing the commitment and spirit of Sabina's young learners.
Sustainability
Delicious Beginnings: Launch of Our In-House Bakery
We're delighted to announce that our bakery is finally up and running, yippy! Come August, we will be baking breakfast buns three days a week for our students, many of whom often come to school hungry. This initiative ensures students begin their school day nourished, enhancing their ability to think clearly and concentrate on their studies. But that's not all! Eventually, we aim to bring our delicious baked goods to the wider community, providing both a service and an additional revenue stream to support Sabina’s financial needs.
Everyone helping to roll dough in the bakery.
Preparing for baking.
Sowing Seeds of Sustainability
"FOS has encouraging news on its Sabina sustainability program. The objective of this trip was to do a deep dive into the business cases of current and future sustainability initiatives. In summary, the Corn Mill is operating well and delivering a profit of approximately $3,000/year to Sabina. Corn Mill focus for the upcoming years is to improve efficiency while reinvesting a portion of the profit for future growth.
The most encouraging opportunity is to secure land for cultivating coffee. Growing coffee for the sale of its beans is very profitable in this region of Uganda. FOS identified the potential of cultivating 10 acres of coffee that could deliver $20,000+/year once the trees mature in approximately 3 years. The initial investment to prepare and cultivate the land will be approximately $45,000 over 3 years ($15,000/year). If successful in securing the land we will be expedient in fundraising to take advantage of this exciting sustainability opportunity." - Celso White
Infrastructure
Enhancements in Student Living and School Safety
Breathing fresh life into our dormitories, we've fitted new windows in the girls' and boys' buildings and the campus is now enhanced with new stone walkways, providing more accessible paths. Our hard-working team also successfully repaired tables and chairs, ensuring comfortable study environments for Sabina’s students. The expansion of our protective fencing continues, securing a safe and secure space for all who work, study, or visit Sabina. To top it off, the school's windows and doors have received a new layer of paint, giving our beloved school a refreshing touch.
Students welcoming Megan from Ireland
Volunteers Megan & Maggs with Sabina staff and students
Gifts for Growth
Looking ahead, our school and students need your help! We are seeking sponsors for four teachers and two students, mosquito nets to combat malaria, and funds to purchase shoes for our students. Your contributions, no matter the size, make a world of difference in the lives of our students.
We'd like to express our deepest gratitude to our FOS family. Your unwavering support and kindness continue to empower our school, our students, and our community. Until the next newsletter, stay safe, stay inspired, and remember that you are making a difference!
Volunteer Spotlight: Braden's Journey at Sabina
“This month, we’re shining a light on our volunteer, Braden, who has been nothing short of a beacon of hope and encouragement for our community. From organizing impactful initiatives to donating her time and gifts to Sabina, Braden’s generosity is a true testament to the spirit of Sabina.
“As of today, I have been In Uganda for a week at Sabina Primary and Boarding School. In just this short amount of time, I have experienced Pure Joy. This is a place where children are safe to just be children. When these kids do not have to worry about food, shelter, and water they can thrive. I wake up each day to the sounds of abundant giggles, laughter, and singing. The children’s Joy is contagious. It is a true blessing for these kids to get to live behind the walls of Sabina. I am so grateful for this experience.
Not only have I learned about the school. Maria and Celso White and Stephen Sango (Ugandan director) have taken the time to personally show me how the community works in this country. I have experienced everything from trade, goods bought and sold, commerce, and infrastructure. I had NO clue how people in 3rd world countries survived before this experience. I am truly blessed to get a first-hand view of this world. My life is forever changed for the better. Knowledge is power!”
Braden (seated far right) assisting at the medical camp with Celso White (standing far left) and school manager, Jude (standing middle).
If you would like to learn more about sponsoring Sabina's teachers or supporting the W.A.S.H program, visit our sponsorship page.
