St. Francis Girls' Comprehensive School
Serere, Uganda

Project Needing Funds:

Construction of a school consisting of ten classrooms plus office/storage area. Because of the target population, it is planned to build dormitory accommodation to house the vulnerable girls. Stage One of this project is a three-classroom block.

Cost:

Entire school: $140,000
Girls' Dormitory: $45,000

Local Contribution:

The parents and community are committed to assist in any way they can including: clearing the site, making bricks and volunteering labour.

Background:

In 1990 the Order of Little Sisters of Kidetok started St. Francis Comprehensive Girls' School in Serere, Soroti District, to educate young girls. Because of the lack of educational opportunities in the area and because of pressure from parents, the school agreed to enroll boys as well. The vision for a school just for girls has always remained the long-term goal of the Order. Land has been acquired a few kilometres from the present school with the intention of building a new campus. The existing school will continue to operate as St. Valerian Nursery and Primary School.

In June 2018 representatives from Classrooms for Africa visited the site for the proposed school and met with Sr. Mary Grace and members of the management committee. It has been established that there is a long waiting list of girls wanting to enrol at St. Francis.

The area, like much of Northern and Eastern Uganda, was devastated by fighting in the 1990's and early 2000's. Peace was established about10 years ago and the communities was gradually re-establishing themselves, although the economy remains basically subsistence agriculture.

On two occasions in 2017 representatives from Classrooms for Africa met with Sister Akiror Mary Grace to discuss the project. Her commitment to the children, especially the girls, of the Soroti district was very evident.