At Kiyunga Education Foundation, we believe that every child is entitled to a quality education in a safe environment. We are committed to providing opportunities to improve their lives and bring lasting, positive change to their communities.
We are currently gathering more funds to build a bathroom for the staff, build a large auditorium/multipurpose room for meeting and testing and provide scholarships and support for students continuing their studies.
We rely on your help for the continual costs of: teacher salaries, school supplies, building maintenance and scholarships. These are essential to creating a safe and positive educational environment.
Robina Serwanga lives in Sacramento, California, but she was born in Kiyunga, a rural village in Uganda, Africa. Robina was introduced to Geri Beck and teacher friends: Kathy Laret and Naomi Harper, who made the decision to help the villagers build a primary school. Robina’s family donated the land, and the villagers constructed the brick walls and Geri, Kathy, and Naomi raised money for the roof. The school was a simple structure with a dirt floor and no permanent doors or windows. Once it was built in 2009 the brick building was used as a school, church and meeting center. Teachers were hired whose monthly salaries are paid by a few dedicated individual donors. Others, including Fair Oaks Rotary Club, donated funds to build latrines and a kitchen and purchase school supplies and school uniforms.
In 2012 Geri, Kathy, and Naomi visited the village of Kiyunga. They were greeted with cheers and songs from the students and a special ceremony from local government leaders. They were able to see the needs of the school and children. They continued their fundraising efforts and worked to get things more organized.
In 2014 an organization, Take Heart International, got involved. With their help, Geri was able to raise even more funds. In 2016 the Kiyunga Village Primary School had 220 pupils taught by 8 teachers, some of whom were being sponsored to take courses at a local university. They hoped to become certified teachers. At the end of that year the new village school building started to go up. By the end of 2017 they were using their new school space.
In 2019, with the continued support of Take Heart International, a bore hole was dug and drilled- providing the school with a closer water source. This same year a small group of volunteers made the visit to Uganda. They brought supplies, built new bookshelves, and worked on curriculum. They also helped conduct health checks. Around this time the scholarship program was introduced. This program allows for students who have finished at the village school and passed their test to have the funds to attend secondary school and continue their education.
In 2021, a rainwater collection tank was added to the facilities.
Volunteers visited again in 2023. They worked with the director, made plans for a guard tower and reorganized classrooms in order to make room for more students inside. This was the year the school was officially registered through the Ministry of Education of Uganda.
Kiyunga Village Primary School currently has 324 pupils (190 girls and 134 boys), 8 certified teachers, 2 auxiliary staff and 2 security guards. They have 15-20 students continuing on to the next level of schooling each year with the help of the scholarship program. We are currently sponsoring 48 students.
Your donation can make a difference in the lives of students in need. Help us support education and create a better future for these children.