Our Partnership with St. Mugagga
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Supporting Projects that Make a Difference
Church of the Blessed Sacrament is partnering with St. Mugagga Nkozi Primary School to fund projects that are making a positive impact in the lives of St. Mugagga students and teachers. Take a deeper look below at the ways we have been involved with the school over the years.
Project: New Boys' Dormitory
Completed in 2018, funded by Church of the Blessed Sacrament.Brother Frank: "We renovated the building, the roof, installed electricity, closed the building with metallic doors, windows, and glasses, plastered and painted inside and cemented it thoroughly. No dust or giggers now! The dormitory is now neat and healthy to stay in, the boys are happy because their dormitory is clean, well painted, and cemented despite the fact that some sleep on the floor with no beds they are happy."
Project: New Kitchen and Dining Hall
Completed in 2016, funded by Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
Cost:Total projected cost for this project was $13,559.00 USD.
Project: New Girl's Dormitory
Completed in April 2014, majority funded by Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Problem:St. Mugagga Primary School opened in 1934 as a boys' school. Over the years, increased interest by local families in educating daughters as well as sons has led to increased enrollment of female students. There is now a ratio of approximately 50:50 male to female students. While this was wonderful news, the lack of adequate dormitory facilities for female students became a significant problem.The old girls' dormitory at St. Mugagga was designed to accommodate 40 students. Eighty girls began to house there with the remaining female boarding students allocated to small rooms in different corners of the school. This extreme overcrowding continued to pose numerous challenges for students and staff.
The Solution:Construct a new girls' dormitory that would accommodate 300 female students.Cost:Total projected cost for this project was $15,412.00 USD.Amount needed from donors to complete the project: $14,612.00 USD.Local contribution:Parents and school administration provided materials equivalent to $800.00 USD.Parents, students, and Brothers were fully involved in providing unskilled labor during the construction process.
Impact:- Elimination of overcrowding, leading to safer and more sanitary living conditions for girl students
- Centralized housing of students, leading to improved monitoring and discipline by teachers and staff
- Improved academic performance due to safer, more comfortable sleeping conditions for students and closer proximity of students to teachers
- Potential increase in enrollment of girl students due to the increased availability of on-site housing
Project: Renovation of School Buildings
Completed in 2013, majority funded by Church of the Blessed Sacrament.The Problem:Deteriorated classroom buildings roofed with old leaking asbestos sheets posed a serious threat to the safety and academic success of students who attended class in those buildings. The timber supporting the roof had also become very old and was in danger of collapse, and the asbestos sheets became a breeding place for rats, snakes, and bats, posing a danger to the lives of the students.
The Solution:- Replacement of old, asbestos tiles on roofs with new, galvanized iron sheets
- Repair and replacement of windows and doors
- Replacement of old, decaying roof timbers
Cost:
Total cost for this project was $18,009.00 USD.
Local contribution:- Area Member of Parliament promised $442.00 USD toward the completion of the project
- The local community contributed poles, water, unskilled labor, and food for the workers during construction
- Parents were encouraged to contribute funds to be placed in a school account for the continued maintenance of the renovated buildings
Classroom building under construction (left), renovated with new sheet metal roof (right):
Impact:
- Safer learning environment due to the replacement of damaged roof timbers and hazardous asbestos roofing materials
- Protection from the elements for students, staff, and school materials
- Improved academic performance due to the safer, more comfortable classroom conditions
- Increase in enrollment of over 600 students due to improved classroom facilities
Project: New Latrines & Shower Facilities
Completed in 2011, funded by Church of the Blessed SacramentThe Problem:
A lack of proper sanitation facilities was creating increased health risks, which is an especially serious concern in an area with limited access to medical facilities.
This also led to a decrease in school attendance, especially among middle-school aged girl students. Having to wash in school common areas without the benefit of privacy often led to girls dropping out before their education was complete.
The Solution:
Construction of new pit latrine buildings and shower facilities at St. Mugagga. These basic shower facilities do not have running water, but they do have rows of stalls that allow users privacy while washing themselves with a bucket of water.
Impact:- Safer and more sanitary shower and latrine facilities
- Decrease in health risks posed by unsanitary conditions
- Increased enrollment and retention of students (especially girls) due to increased privacy in sanitation facilities
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