Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Volset School: Uganda: Report 2014-2015

Volset Foundation
Mukono, Uganda
2014-2015

Volset Foundation is a non profit organization in Uganda supported in part by Rose Charities Canada. In addition to operating two school/orphanage facilites the Foundation also conducts an Aids Awareness and Prevention Program in the Mukono area and Sse Sse islands of Lake Victoria. This also includes H.I.V. testing and the distribution of condoms supplied by the national government.

Volset Foundation is continuing to expand at Future Diplomats Education Centre, near Mukono. 

There are approximately 200 students attending school each day, including 60 orphans living on site in dormitory accommodation. The increase in numbers requires a plan to accommodate and grow with the needs of these children, even though sponsorship donors are dwindling. The continued sponsorship of children has been beneficial and rewarding. 

Two girls graduated from Uganda Christian University in October 2014, one with a Bachelors Degree in Commerce, the other with a Bachelors Degree with Honours in Social Work. Both students plan to complete their Masters degrees. In addition another student will be starting university in January, and others are in their final year of high school with intentions of further university education. In addition to the well and water system installed in 2013 a classroom block and a dormitory were constructed. 

In 2014 another block of 2 classrooms was also completed for Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes. For 2015 another building will be completed, as classrooms for Grade 6 and 7 students, and also serve as a common dining hall and assembly area. In addition funds will be raised to supply and install 3 water tanks to collect rainwater to augment the well water supply. Additionally some 50 mosquito nets are required and new bunk beds for the dormitories.# project to buy and raise goats will be initiated commencing January 2015, to help supply meat for the orphanage and to create an additional source of income. This will also help to teach the children the basics of animal husbandry.

 Long term plans include building a new boys dormitory. This will allow expansion of the girls dorm into the current boys dorm to accommodate the increasing number of girls. An attached shower room will be included in the the construction and renovation of the dormitory buildings. Also in the future will be a new kitchen building with improved cooking facilities to minimize the amount of firewood consumed daily.