My letter to Apac

On Hellen's last trip to Apac, she suggested that I write a letter to the community where the school will be. Let me share with you the letter as well as some photos from the occasion.

Dear, Community Members of Apac

I am very happy to be able to have the opportunity to write you this letter. Let me introduce myself. My name is Kate and I am an eighteen year old Canadian. I was very happy to get in touch with Hellen Owani and Christian Upliftment Primary School several years ago when I wanted to help a school in Uganda. Many of the children I sponsor were refugees from Northern Uganda. They shared their stories with me, and I knew that they were the lucky ones to be in Kampala. Hellen has told me about Apac and the situation of Northern Uganda, and it has since never left my mind.

Over the years that I have been helping the school in Kampala and I have realised how much even a basic education can transform a life. It is through the determination and hard work that the students of CUS have shown, that motivated me to also want to give the same opportunities to children in Apac. I know that despite the obstacles Apac children have faced and are faced with, with an education they can shine.

Building a school takes a lot of time and patience. Here in Canada, I am fundraising and letting everyone know how they can help. It is far from only being efforts on my part, there is an entire support system who are working at making the school a reality. This includes individuals from around the world who are praying, donating, and spreading awarness. My dream is that this school will be a place where children from all different backgrounds, religions, villages, and those with disabilities are always welcome. No child will be denied an education. I promise that I will keep working with you to build this great school and continue to stay when it opens.

I have a small request for the community members as well as the future students. Community members, parents and guardians, encourage your children to be at school everyday. With a good education they can become anything they want to be, doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, just to name a few. To the future students of the Apac School. You are the future of your community and nation. You can become great things if you work hard. Come to school everyday, respect your teacher and classmates and always try your best! If we all work together we can accomplish great things. I would be honoured if you all would like to choose and agree on a name for the future school. My heart is with you all, Kate.

Hellen and the village chief.

Many parents and guardians came along with children to learn more about the project. Men and woman alike have been so supportive(and excited) about the project! They have already arranged who will be volunteering with what. This is most definitely, 'the icing on the cake'!

Just some of the hundreds of children who turned up to register to attend school.

Christmas Raffle!

Help us build the school by purchasing a raffle ticket! The cost of a ticket is $2 for one, or $5 for three. The prizes include :

1st prize....$150 Prepaid Visa Card.

2nd prize....$50 Walmart Gift Card.

3rd prize...$25 Chapters Gift Card.

Winners will be announced on Christmas (December 25th)!

To buy a ticket please use the Donate button on the right, and enter the amount according to the number of tickets you would like.

Meet the students!

I would like you to meet just some of our future students. These children are registered to attend school once it opens.

Bottom row(left to right)

1)Agee Darphine is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activites are sleeping and playing with toys. Her ambition is to be a nurse. She is a complete orphan living with neighbours. *

2)Akullu is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activites are running and laughing. Her ambition is to be a doctor. She is a complete orphan living with siblings.*

3)Akello Rebecca is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activities are playing with toys and running. Her ambition is to become a teacher. She is a complete orphan living with siblings.

4)Agole Monica is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activity is to laugh. Her ambition is to become a doctor. She is a complete orphan living with relatives. *

5) Akumu Mercy is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activity is to sleep and run. Her ambition is to become a doctor. She is a complete orphan living with siblings.

6)Okello Patric is 4 years old and is not in any other school. His favorite activity is to play with toys and to run. His ambitions it to become an engineer. He is a complete orphan living with siblings.

Top row

7) Aciro is 4 years old and is not in any other school. She did not have a favorite activity( she listed crying first because she though it meant something you do frequently) She would of liked to be a pilot. Her mother is mentally ill. *

(Sadly, Aciro has since passed away due to malnutrition.)

8) Ocen Daniel is 5 years old and is not in any other school. His favorite activity is to dance. His ambition is to become a doctor. He lives with his parents in extreme poverty.

9)Akullu Martha is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activity is to laugh and sing. Her ambition is to become a social worker. She is a complete orphan living with neighbours.

10)Atim rita is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activity is to dance. Her ambition is to become a doctor. She lives with her mother and siblings. *

11)Apio Elizabeth is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activity is to run and sleep. Her ambition is to become a doctor. She lives with her parents and siblings who are unemployed. *

12) Eborng Rachel is 4 years old and is not in any other school. Her favorite activity is to play with toys and laugh. Her ambition is to be a secretary. She lives with her parents, who are both ill.

Cost of building the school

Please take a look at the cost it is to build the school. The costs are for all seven classrooms but do not include classroom items.

Bricks-$558.95
Building Stones-$134.15
Building Tools-$111.79
Cement- $195.63
Doors-$335.37
Nails(50kg)-$19.56
Timbers-$67.07
Transportation-$55.89
Iron Sheets-$2515.26
Labour-$27.95
Pian Hooks-$27.95
Poles-$43.50
Water- Local Contribution
Windows-$209.60
Wood Preservation-$22.36

Total:$4,325.03

When you donate the full amount towards one of our needed items( ex $558.95 for Bricks) your name will be added to the school’s entrance!

Please help us build the school and educate the children of Apac.

Welcome!

The Apac School Project, started after a local Ugandan woman by the name of Hellen Owani, traveled back to her birthplace of Northern Uganda to see the situation the children were in. After two decades of war, many children were left orphaned. The reality is, that instead of being in school studying, children are forced to look for ways to survive. Many of the children find work carrying water, making bricks, and in more dangerous fields such as prostitution.

The original plan was to build quite a large school complexe with two classes for each grade, going up to P.7. The cost of this was significantly more expensive, and as we made elaborate plans for fund-raising to begin, two little girls who were registered to attend school passed away. They died from something most of us will never have to worry or even think about, malnutrition.

This really made us re look at the school’s plans, and purpose. Since then, we have decided to build a seven classroom school and add on more classrooms later.
The seven classrooms will include:
Baby Class(for children 3-4 years old)
Middle Class(for children 5-6 years old)
Top Class(for children 7-8 years old)
Primary 1, Primary 2, Primary 3, and Primary 4.

The Apac School Project has two main missions:

1) To build a primary school to educate the poorest children from Apac, who otherwise would not have a chance to attend school.

2) To build a vocational center, were we can educate teenagers and young adults on
income generating skills that will help them earn a decent living.