It's time to build something sustainable. When we first started this Christian elementary school in Uganda over 9 years ago, we started with what we could...mud structures. These buildings were meant to be temporary and have run their lifespan. We have added several better buildings over the years, but these remaining structures have to be replaced.
While looking at re-opening this school after the Covid-19 shut down, we realize that we will need to build something better to meet the new guidelines for social distancing. It's time. Let's build sustainable buildings, with concrete floors and windows that open and close to keep the rain out or let the breeze in! Let's give teachers a place they are proud to teach in. Let's give kids a school they can breathe in!
So how bad can it be? Ahhh..I don't even want to show you how bad it has become over the years. This started out as a decent, but very basic school. Now, it is falling apart, filling with water when it rains, creating a muddy and damp mess. I can almost not even look at it without cringing. But, I have to keep reminding myself that even though the structures are now spoiling..the kids are still thriving! We are producing some of the top scoring students in the country out of this crumbling school! They deserve so much better. Let's give it to them. Let's do this for the kids, the teachers, the community!
The first step we are raising money for right now is for 3 new classrooms. We need many more, as we have over 700 kids in elementary school! But, we have to start somewhere...and a 3 classroom block is where we begin. We have also included in this fundraiser a new toilet building to replace one that needs to be demolished. Our goal this round is $27,000. We continue to look for larger partners to come along side us to help us make this campus safe and lovely..so if you have any connections or ideas, we are interested!
The inside of one of our classrooms. Kids sit on this floor to learn, crowded and barely able to move. They don't complain! They are so happy to even be in school. But we know they deserve better.
The floors have been repaired over and over. They are spent, crumbling and disintegrating. Imagine sitting on this floor with nothing under you..
The walls are also falling apart, caving in. They have become unsafe.
This room has water damage, and is prone to mildew and mold. The floor becomes muddy when it rains.
How crowded can it really be? Take a peek inside on a school day. This room is the size of an average bedroom in America. Between 40-60 kids crowd in just for an opportunity to learn.
But look at this...
This is what we want to build!
Our new classrooms with have windows that open and close, concrete floors that won't turn into mud, taller ceilings that let the heat of rise. Look at this lighting compared to the old buildings..the windows are bigger! Oh, this makes my heart swoon!
Here's another view. These are the new classrooms we built for our high school this year! We are so excited to replicate these for our elementary school!
Please help us reach our goal! We cannot hold actual events to raise funds right now due to all the restrictions, so Go Fund Me is the way we are going to raise this! Share our story, encourage others to give, share our fundraiser with others. We won't stop until these kids have a campus that we can be proud of!
Jenn Anderson
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Hands of Action International
www.handsofactioninternational.org
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