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"For our children's sake" Kanungu District, UGANDA, East Africa |
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Historical Records of The Nyaka AIDS Orphan School
Note: Our annual report is available upon request.
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a. August 2001 Two acres of land were bought, local leaders, church leaders and neighbors of the school and orphans joined us in singing and praising God for the purchase. |
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b. October 2001 Construction of two classes began. Charles Kambamu was the mason and the school plan was drawn by Eng. Dennis Mwebaze. |
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c. March 2002 The first International visitor on our site, Jennifer Thomson, one of the Directors of Nyaka. |
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d. August 2002 Sam Mugisha one volunteer coordinator in Uganda sent the first report and progress on the building. The two classes are now roofed and window flames are in. |
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e. December 2002 First volume of Nyaka Notes newsletter was issued. We can send you all newsletters upon request. |
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f. Jan 2003 Nyaka opens officially. Hon. Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, Minister in the Prime Ministers office of the government of Uganda opened the school. More details read our vol. 2 issue 1 April 2003 news letter. Dr.Dale Val from Davis CA also joined us at the school opening. Fifty-six orphans were enrolled and classes began Feb, 2003. |
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g. May 2003 Steven Tabaruka, one of the volunteers in Uganda, sent a picture of kids playing soccer, as well as updates on the gardening program. |
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h. Nyaka school receives solar power donated by Seed and Light Inc. |
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i. January 2004 First anniversary. |
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j. 2004-2005 Started with 56 students in levels 1-2 Got an intern from Smith College - Ashley Started with two teachers (Agaaba Innocent, Mrs. Freda Byaburakirya) Started gardening and free seed program |
Nyaka School was established specifically due to the plight of orphans in the village of Nyakagyezi in Uganda, East Africa. The idea was conceived after Twesigye Jackson Kaguri and his wife, Beronda visited Nyakagyezi village in April 2001. Although they knew that HIV/AIDS had claimed so many lives across Africa, they did not know the extent to which grandparents were suffering in raising these orphans. So after returning to United States where they live, they decided to start raising money for these children. At first Jackson and Beronda thought they would send school fees but the number of orphans was growing. The couple told some of their fellow church members, their close friends and family about the project and everyone was supportive of the idea.
In August 2001, 2 acres were bought where the school was to be built. Construction began in October 2001. The growing community of local and international supporters of Nyaka ultimately decided to begin the sch classes so that Nyaka could start helping children at the earliest educational stage. Therefore the school began with primary one and two. For those who are not familiar with the Ugandan education system, these are the equivalent of the first two years of elementary school. Hon. Minister, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, Minister of General Duties, Prime Minister's Office, Uganda officially opened the school on Jan 2, 2003.
The mission of the school is to provide quality, free education and extracurricular activities, both formal and informal, to children who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS as a means to counteract pervasive hunger, poverty, and systemic deprivation. It is an ongoing project that will continue growing each year. At the end of 2008, the school will have seven classes, and then Nyaka AIDS Orphans School will be a full-fledged primary school. The school will provide vocational training for the children who will not continue to secondary school and organize scholarships for those will join secondary school.
Initiatives
Uganda's AIDS epidemic has resulted in 2.2 million children who have lost one or both parents, out of a population of just over 30 million. Due to a lack of government-subsidized education, extended families and orphanages face an enormous financial barrier to educating Uganda's children. See how Nyaka is addressing this need on our Programs page