The Children’s village was started in 1990 and at present has accommodation, primary, secondary and vocational schooling for 250 orphans. For those children who show talent, we also raise funds to make it possible for them to study further and go to university. The Children’s Welfare Mission is committed to supporting and training children until they become employable, self-sufficient adults and contributing members of the community.
On the compound there is a medical clinic, with a maternity ward and dentist’s office; and the staff hold vaccination clinics and mobile first aid from this clinic as well – all open to the surrounding community, which has been a great blessing as the next nearest medical help is 15 km away – a long way when you don’t have a car or public transportation. There is also a church, which serves not only the orphans living in the village but also the local community. Children’s Welfare Mission has also installed a tap on an outside wall of the compound, providing water to the surrounding residents. Before this water was available, the residents had to walk great distances to obtain water.
The Children’s Village Namugongo is situated in Namugongo. That is 12km to the northeast of Kampala off the Jinja road.
HISTORY OF THE HOME
In 1990 the first 25 hectares of land were bought in Namugongo. The idea was to build a complete village for orphans. 1n 1991 the construction of the children’s village was started. The whole plot of land was then bush. Trees had to make way for roads and buildings. It was all manual labor – there being no machines available at that time. There were shifts of 50 – 100 men at work. In 1992 we took in the first orphans. The biggest problem was the water supply and a well was bored and at a depth of 40 meters we found good, clean drinking water with a capacity of 6000 liters, enough to not only supply the children’s village with all they needed, but also the surrounding community who then didn’t need to get their water from the river any more. In 1993 a primary school was built - the ‘Samaritan Academy’. We then had 50 orphans living in the village. A start was made to set up an agricultural project. In the years 1994 and 1995, the village continued to develop and grow – a lot of work going into the infrastructure and the agricultural project, providing food for the children. The village became connected to the main electricity supply. In 1996 we decided to make a big extension to the children’s village in Namugongo. A First Aid center and a medical clinic were built and the construction of new housing accommodation for the children was started. In the years 1997 and 1998 the infrastructure was improved. More homes were built. The primary school was extended to 7 classes (P1 to P7). The kitchens were extended and the bathroom and washing facilities were improved. A new water tower was built, now with a capacity of 20.000 liters. The medical clinic was extended incorporating a maternity unit. At this point there were 8 people employed in the clinic. A start was made to build a community hall. A generator was placed so that there would be current in an emergency. At that time it was quite normal to have electricity cuts 30 – 40 hours each week. In 1999 the multi-functional community hall was completed. Fencing was put up around the whole plot. All the paths and roads and the school compound were paved. All the communal buildings, the homes and the clinic were repainted and where necessary repaired. A guesthouse was built and two houses to accommodate new members of staff. At the same time a start was made on the construction of a building to house the Vocational School and the necessary infrastructure. The preparation was started for the construction of new circles of homes. In 2001 a new plot of adjoining land was bought for the further extension of the Children’s Village and the first classrooms were built for the Namugongo Secondary & Vocational School (NSVS). In January 2002 the NSVS opened with 30 students. The new home circles were completed, so making room for an additional 150 children. In 2003 playing fields were laid out: volley ball, football and other ball games. Also changing rooms were built. The Vocational school was extended and the planning is that the construction will be completed in 2004 / 2005. In 2003 a two-floor office building was completed – housing offices for the director, administrator and meeting rooms for the school staff. A dormitory for 160 older children was built in 2008. Another 160-bed dormitory will be constructed as funds become available.
Children’s Welfare Mission in Namugongo (Kampala) has 40 hectares of land already in use:
- Homes – built in circles – housing 300 children.
- A new dormitory for 160 older children was completed in the winter of 2008.
- Two buildings for the primary school.
- A secondary school and a small vocational school offering training in tailoring and furniture building.
- Office building with six offices and a meeting room.
- Kitchen and storage room to supply for 300 children.
- A home, with office and garage for the project manager and a guesthouse.
- A water tower with a well.
- Generator building with generator and attachments.
- Houses for staff (23).
- Washing and toilet facilities
- Medical clinic with First Aid and maternity ward.
- Community hall, which also houses the local church.
- Playing fields.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The Children’s Welfare Mission’s operational budget amount comes from individuals making donations or sponsoring children.
Money for building projects comes from individual donations, NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations), the government (which sometimes provides some sort of matching funds), and other charitable organizations.
SELF-SUSTAINABILITY
The High School and Vocational School has some students from outside the orphanage, who pay tuition, which provides some income. The medical clinic contributes some income. The students at the Vocational School are now starting to make things and sell them, such as tables and chairs. The Children’s Welfare Mission is working to develop other micro-enterprise that will bring in funds. Once the new Technical Institute is completed, it will be self-supporting within two years as non-resident children will pay for their courses.
NEW Project
Be A HERO plans to build a new Technical Institute in the Children’s Village. The Children’s Welfare Mission is committed to supporting children until they become employable, self-sufficient adults. Every child must be trained to a point where they are able to support themselves, and their future families. Well- educated children will become the leaders of tomorrow, and the goal is to have every single child prepared for an independent life and able to support themselves and their future families. This will help to break the cycle of poverty in Africa, and prevent children and young adults from suffering exploitation and abuse.
The educational system in Uganda is structured like this:
- Primary School – first 7 years
- After Primary School the children either attend
- 4 years of Secondary School (academic program) OR
- 3 years of Technical School (Vocational) (non-academic program)
- Those that have attended Secondary School then have a choice of 2 years in High School, 2 years in Primary School Teacher Training, or 2 years in Health Occupations training.
- A further 2 year program is also available for those who wish advanced training in one of the trades.
The Technical School teaches the students various trades such as tailoring, carpentry, food and nutrition in combination with catering, building and construction, mechanics, welding, computer. When completed the school will have 8 classrooms (two, 2-storey buildings of 4 classrooms). The building marked Classroom 1 + 2 (in the architect’s drawings on the next page) will be the first one built. Classrooms 5 and 6 will occupy the second floor of this building. The second building (Classrooms 3 + 4, and 7 + 8) will be built at a later date when funds are available.
Children’s Welfare Mission Technical Institute Budget
First building of four classrooms |
$ 84,000 USD |
Second building of four classrooms |
$ 84,000 USD |
Total |
$ 168,000 USD |
Note: If you would like to see the detailed line-item quote (this is an 8 page spreadsheet), or more of the architect’s drawings please contact Be A Hero Head Office at admin@beahero.org.
View photos of the children’s village by clicking here
100% of all funds donated for this project will be applied directly to the project. Be A HERO does not keep anything for administration. Be A HERO is able to do this because the Hero Partnership and Pillar Program participants designate their donations specifically for administration.
If you would like to contribute towards this project, click here. Note on all correspondence “Namugongo Uganda Technical Institute Project”
You will be sent a receipt for income tax purposes early in the following year - You are a HERO!
