Aunt Elvi Mikkola Nursery & Primary School
Education is key to transforming the lives of children in Uganda. It gives hope to
a child for a brighter future. It is one of the best gifts we can give a child to help
break the cycle of poverty and ignorance. Windows of Hope is committed to
helping schools in poor communities in Uganda improve their infrastructure and
helping children who cannot afford to get an education. In Uganda the
government introduced universal primary education program, but there are still
many children who are unable to go to school because of various fees the
schools require children to pay.(uniforms, lunch, development fees) Windows of
Hope is currently partnering with two primary schools that have helped many
poor and orphan children with primary school education. We are working with
schools that are already making an effort to help the poorest children in their
communities. Our goal has been to help the schools improve their infrastructure
so that they can provide quality education for the children. The cost of building is
very high in Uganda as a result both schools are lacking some of the necessary
structures needed. We need funds to help improve the schools. With your
support we are able to respond to the schools greatest needs in an effective way.
Aunt Elvi Mikkola Nursery & Primary School is located in Rwakanengo,
along Rubabo- Kihindi Road, 1 km from Rukungiri Town in Rukungiri
Town Council. This primary school is located in south-western Uganda in a
town called Rukungiri. The school has an enrolment of 276 children. The children
pay no fees. The school reaches out to the poorest of the poor of children to
attend primary school. Many children walk long distances from the villages to
come to this school. The buildings are made from mud and they have put a thin
layer of cement and painted them. It has a good appearance but the structures
are not very strong. The school totally relies on the gifts of others to keep the
school operational. The school is very unique; the joy of the children just thrills
your heart. The schools have many structural needs.
The School was started in the district by Mr. and Mrs. Eldad
Turyahamugisha as a means to provide home schooling for their extended
family who had suffered many losses due to the HIV/Aids epidemic. Soon
the news got around and people began asking the Turyahamugisha to help
school their children.
After a time the number of orphans and needy children being schooled at
their home became too much, so they rented a property. In 2002 the number
of children schooled was 135. The Turyahamugisha bought land with a view
to building a proper school for the children.
In 2006 they were given notice to quit the property they had rented, so they
quickly built a temporary structure on the land they had bought and that is
where they are now. Currently there are 325 children.
Some of the children being schooled have no adult at their homes. The only
meal they eat is what they receive at the school. The school provides
breakfast and lunch. Admission is free. Monies are raised through child
sponsorship and by the generosity of well wishers to pay the teachers and
non teaching staff.
ACADEMIC
Aunt Elvi Mikkola Nursery & Primary School has reached a level Grade 7
and now has 13 teachers and two non teaching staff. The academic
programmed is based on Uganda National Syllabus and offer practical skills
in both science and art subjects.
INSTRUCTIONAL CURRICULUM
The school provides local materials to equip the pupils in science, such as
crops, animals, hand crafts and reading materials.
Pupils get a trip every two months outside the sub-county for educational
and recreational purposes
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The school promotes Co-curricular activities. Pupils are divided into groups
for competition in a variety of activities. These include games, music, dance
and drama, religious education, economics and political activities
ADMISSION
The school welcomes all orphans and vulnerable children regardless of faith,
tribe, sex or color
Due to the number of guardians applying for their children to be admitted to
the school Aunt Elvi, it was deemed necessary to keep the numbers in the
classrooms to a manageable number. The intake every year to the Nursery
class has been 20 children.
THE SCHOOL OBJECTIVES
1) To provide quality education in academic, physical, social science,
economics, political and religious spheres
2) To promote accuracy and sound judgment in thinking and deed
3) To bring hope to the children who would be left to care for
themselves
NEEDS
The existing school structure is poorly constructed the buildings are made from mud
and they have put a thin layer of cement and painted them. It has a good
appearance but the structures are not very strong. The two classrooms for the
nursery children are wood.
The school needs eight classrooms and proper toilet facilities. The estimated cost to start
phase 1 of the new school foundation is $12,500.
OUR ROLES WITH THE SCHOOLS
We believe that one of the best initiatives to help break the cycle of poverty in the lives of
children is through quality education. We work closely with the people who share that
vision for their communities and children. We provide educational support for the
children through child sponsorship. We raise the awareness of the needs of children in
Uganda and give people an opportunity to help.
BUY A BRICK BUILD A SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
The purpose of the build a brick campaign is to raise funds to build a proper school for
Aunt Elvi .