Global Conflict & Crisis Strategic Solutions

The Situation:

The only school in the rural village of Kyanjiri in central Uganda is in danger of closing. Transportation is not affordable for children in rural villages who want to reach the closest government-funded schools.

Due to regulations, the local council has given Ebenezer Junior School until January to expand facilities and extend security and safety measures.

In five months, 125 children ages 5 to 16 will not receive an education, will not receive a guaranteed two meals a day, and nine local staff members will no longer have housing or steady employment. For Lubwama Elvic and Namujozi Veronica, “Vicky,” their vision to build the first school in Kyanjiri will end.

Elvic and Vicky's Story:

Elvic and Vicky are a dynamic Ugandan couple with a shared passion for serving the underprivileged in their community. Their journey began with a dream to bring educational opportunities to their village, Kyanjiri, where access to schooling was limited. They work tirelessly daily to oversee and manage the school they helped establish, taking on roles as teachers, mentors, and community leaders.

Through their efforts, Elvic and Vicky have not only transformed the educational landscape of Kyanjiri but also impacted the entire community. In 2024, Ebenezer Junior School expanded from serving 80 students to over 125 children ages 5 to 16 while employing 9 local staff members and offering 2 daily meals for its students.

With the support of the nonprofit Start the Ripple, they constructed five classrooms and provided 85 scholarships to children from impoverished families. Students learn literacy, numeracy, and life skills. Local teachers are supported with housing and employment, ensuring stable livelihoods.

To further community empowerment, Start the Ripple planted 400 coffee plants to generate income, cultivated maize and beans to feed the school students, dug a 120-feet deep well, installed 2 water filters, built latrines, and provided medical treatment for malaria and common illnesses among students. Previously, children might resort to drinking from basins or puddles, but now they have reliable access to safe, clean water at school. Since 2022, these efforts have created crucial educational opportunities for children without access, helping them build a brighter future.

How you can help:

However, the local council has issued a tight deadline for Ebenezer to fulfill most of the following or be permanently shut down:

We are asking for donations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 to help us get started. We appreciate any support you can offer. Every dollar will go towards children's education and ensure Ebenezer Junior School will continue supporting future students and the broader community for many years. Thank you.

For the next week, we'll share the stories of students, their teachers, and the greater community giving back to Ebenezer Junior School. For more information, please follow Ebenezer Junior School and Start the Ripple's TikTok page @ebenezerschool.