Activities

PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR THE FOUNDING/ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF ST. MARY’S NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL, NYAMIGOYE in Kanungu District (KABALE DIOCESE), UGANDA.

Recommended by:

Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese.

Submitted by:

Rev. Fr. Christmas Philip Austen, the Rector Rushoroza Cathedral Parish, Kabale Diocese.

Kabale Diocese:

The Diocese of Kabale covers 6 government administrative Districts. These are, Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukiga and Rukungiri Districts.

1. PROJECT TITLE: Establishment of St. Mary’s Nursery and Primary School, a Center of Catholic Education and Evangelization in Kabale Diocese, Uganda.
2. PROJECT LOCATION: The project will be established in a rural village within Kabale Diocese, southwestern Uganda, where a 5-acre parcel of land has been secured for this purpose.
3. PROJECT SCOPE: This project aims to establish a model Catholic nursery and primary school that combines academic excellence with strong Christian values and social responsibility. It will:
   Prepare the land for the school by bring tractors to level the land and make it suitable for the infrastructure.
   The school is to function as a center of evangelization and Catholic moral formation.
   Construct enough study and learning classrooms according to Ugandan standards of a model School, a dining/kitchen unit, staff offices, Examination Hall, dormitories, playgrounds for co-curricular activities, and sanitation facilities.
   Provide boarding and day school options for boys and girls
   Offer scholarships to vulnerable and disadvantaged children aged between 3-15 years.
   Follow the National Curriculum of Uganda to ensure academic credibility and excellence.
4. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROJECT:
   1. Educational Need in Rural Uganda
      • Many children in many rural areas of Kabale Diocese lack access to quality education, especially early childhood education.
      • Public schools are often overcrowded, under-resourced, and far from children’s homes. They also lack inputs of the Catholic values which this project objective finds lacking and therefore needs to be addressed by having a school that will evangelize the children as well as fulfil the academic requirements of the education sector in Uganda.
      • There is a significant school dropout rate due to financial constraints and poor school environments.
   2. Promotion of Catholic Values and Evangelization
      • Mary’s School will be a center of evangelization, nurturing children in Catholic faith and ethics.
      • It will instill moral integrity, discipline, love compassion, and responsibility in pupils.
      • Daily catechism, regular Masses, and liturgical celebrations will be integral in the study environment.
   3. Quality and Inclusive Education
      • The School will follow Uganda’s National Curriculum and employ trained, committed teachers who will be respectful to the catholic teaching.
      • A holistic approach will include academics, agriculture, ICT, physical education, and spiritual growth.
      • Scholarships will be awarded to children from the poorest households, especially orphans and vulnerable children.
   4. Attraction of More Learners and Community Trust
      • Its reputation as a Catholic school rooted in Christian values.
      • Well-structured classrooms, clean dormitories, and quality meals.
      • Highly trained teachers and dedicated religious leadership.
      • Emphasis on child protection, character development, and parental engagement.
5. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
   1. Short-Term Objectives (1–3 Years):
      • Be a model in the Diocese for Catholic early childhood learning
      • Feed the children, pay teachers’ salaries and give scholarships to the poor, needy and vulnerable children
      • Construct and operationalize core school infrastructure.
      • Equip the infrastructure.
      • Enroll at least 700 children in nursery and lower primary classes.
      • Start boarding section.
      • Recruit and train competent teaching and non-teaching staff.
      • Launch school farm to support food sustainability.
      • Establish the School Management Committee and Catholic Chaplaincy.
   2. Long-Term Objectives (4–10+ Years):
      • Expand to and increase the enrolment to more than 800 pupils.
      • Become a regional model for Catholic early childhood education.
      • Offer boarding facilities to accommodate distant learners.
      • Provide holistic education that promotes academic excellence, faith, and life skills.
      • Develop income-generating projects (e.g., agriculture, poultry) for financial sustainability in regards by the provision of food for children.
6. EXPECTED IMPACT
   • A generation of morally upright and educated youth inspired by firm Catholic values.
   • Improved access to education for rural and poor children.
   • Reduced school dropout rates through scholarships and community support.
   • Creation of jobs for teachers, cooks, security, and support staff.
   • Enhanced community participation in educational development and child formation.
7. SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY: St. Mary’s will ensure long-term viability through:
   • Being accountable to Kabale School Fund (KSF) by providing quarterly update on the use of the money that will always be provided by KSF.
   • Having School Farm and Gardens by providing food for students and income from surplus produce.
   • Affordable Tuition Collected from families who can afford and scholarships for the poorest.
   • Donor and Alumni Support: Building long-term partnerships and creating an alumni network for support.
   • Church and Parish Involvement: The parish will remain actively involved in governance, mobilization, and spiritual oversight. The Parish will also offer the chaplaincy with the guidance of the Bishop and the Diocesan Education Office.
   • Regular financial and impact reports will be shared with donors and stakeholders.
8. REQUEST TO KABALE SCHOOL FUND ORGANIZATION: We kindly request KSF to partner with us by:
   • Providing a grant to support ground levelling/preparation, school construction, startup, and operational costs.
   • Offering technical advice, oversight, and encouragement as we grow this faith-centered school.
   • Supporting the scholarship program for the poorest of the poor.
   • Provide food for the children once the school is started. Then with time, the school will develop a system of self-sustaining in regards of provision of food.
9. CONCLUSION
   • St. Mary’s Nursery and Primary School is not just a school—it is a mission of hope, love, and transformation. Rooted in Catholic values and committed to national academic standards, this institution will raise future leaders with strong faith, knowledge, and service.
   • We believe that with your generous support, this dream will be realized—and generations of children will rise from poverty, ignorance, and despair into lives of dignity, leadership, and faith.
10. ATTACHMENTS
    • Bishop’s Letter of Recommendation and Endorsement.
    • Land sketch map.
    • Picture of the land that is available.
    • Budget Breakdown of the entire project cost and the basic minimum to start. (Blue print is the entire project revised and as recommended by the Bishop. Green print out is the basic that will be needed to start the school).