Construction of School in Bungatira Sub County, Northern Uganda

The on-going peace talks between the LRA and the government of Uganda and the subsequent cessation of hostilities agreement contributed to the return of peace in northern Uganda. As a result most people in Northern Uganda were slowly returning back home in 2007. As people began to return home from Coope the camp members decided that the location of the new school would be more beneficial nearer their original homes. CCFU are working with the local community to support other schools that host large numbers of internally displaced children.

This funding provided for the construction of a school in Coope community for those originally displaced in Coope camp. The new school would ease congestion in existing school.

REI visited the project in early 2007 and met the community involved in running the project. It was clear that there was a need to improve overcrowding in the nearby schools and the problems of rising costs were evident. We met the local community committee who was responsible for overseeing the construction. They were also involved with other activities including Early childhood care and development, education support to schools, livelihood interventions and HIV/AIDS among others.

Results

The project was implemented in partnership with various local stakeholders such as the community members of Bungatira Sub County, local leaders, children, the Gulu District Education Office, the Community Development Office, the District Engineer, the District Inspectorate of Health, and Punena Child and Family Program. The land was donated by the community, and materials such as bricks, stones and sand was obtained through the community. The workers were local, and the project therefore additionally supported the local economy through increasing people’s income and using local resources.

At the end of the project, 7 classrooms had been constructed and the schools had been handed to the District Education Office who was supervising the management of the school. Three classes opened the first year, allowing 136 (78 boys, 58 girls) children to attend school. 5 more teachers have been hired and more classes will therefore open next year. Latrines and a playground was also constructed.

The shorter distance to the school make the children safer as the risk of being abused or abducted is greatly reduced.