New beginnings – The Master’s Kids school
In 2011 funds were raised to create separate classrooms at the rear of the Church building, which was a big step forward in the life of the School. The School was by now well established and valued by the local community with a staff of one Principal and 3 teachers for 80 children, who otherwise would not receive any education. The school classrooms were also used out of school hours to provide basic medical attention where necessary within the community.
In 2015, the national Uganda Railways Company reclaimed part of the land that the school and church building was constructed on by demolishing that part of the structure that they claimed was built on land belonging to the railway. This meant that the school had to operate out of an unsafe building and was in danger of closing.
New premises and equipment
In 2016, funds were raised through private and corporate donations through Hope Nateete to finance the purchase of a large house and accompanying land located within 200 metres of the existing church and school building. The house was converted internally to create classrooms and additional external works helped create a secure boundary to enclose the school site. The windows were replaced, and the general condition of the walls, roof and flooring improved, and the entire building was redecorated inside and out.
Additional work was undertaken to provide sewers and drains and to build a toilet block with separate facilities for boys and girls. This is within a community where there is one shared outdoor latrine used by up to 300 families. The provision of separate clean and mains connected toilets was seen as one of the greatest achievements by the families who sent their children to the school. A separate kitchen building was constructed and fitted out so that children could receive a hot meal each day.
The courtyard of the former house was converted into a playground and outdoor education space.
Teachers were employed and the new team was led by Julie Kato under the title of The Master’s Kids School. And so it was that the next chapter of the school began on a secure site with the ability to provide education and a meal for between 80 – 100 children each day. Because of limited space and finances the initial vision was to provide 3 years of education to children aged between 5 – 8 years.
Growth
In January 2018 additional funds were raised by Hope Nateete to purchase additional desks and chairs for children and furniture for the teachers, plus fitting out a School Office and Reception area. The School was formally inspected and approved in February 2018.
Ethos: An inclusive place of education
The school has a strong Christian ethos but welcomes children from all faith and non-faith backgrounds. Head Teacher Julie Kato reports that such is the respect for what they are providing, that 40%-50% of the children at the School come from Muslim backgrounds.
Most of the children who leave the school aged 7 or 8 are literate and have a good grasp of English and basic maths but sadly many do not continue their primary education through the state system. This is because although the government of Uganda has subsidised education, by paying a certain percentage for every enrolled child in what is termed by the government as ‘’ free primary education’’, the parents have to find some other costs stipulated by the individual government schools, and they simply cannot afford it. Our goal is to build upon what has already been achieved at the school and expand this work to provide an education for children up to age of 12.
Space to grow
The existing property has space to expand the building to contain further classrooms on the site and our goal is to support this work so that children can receive an education up until the age of 12. As of April 2018, the school has 6 teachers and 95 children in attendance with 5 additional spaces soon to be filled.
