In the environs of Gomba District, which lies approximately 97 kilometers (60 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, stood a bare wooden hut that served as a classroom for nearly 150 young boys and girls in Uganda. The structure, which would easily be confused for a cowshed, did not offer an ideal environment for pupils to pursue their education. It is with this in mind a team of 6 Germans, 7 Kenyans, 12 Spaniards and 11 Ugandans travelled to the remote village to build 3 new classrooms for the school.

 

Following an invitation from “Kyoga Foundation” in Kampala, the German initiative “School instead of Streets” and Rhine-Danube Foundation from Germany, a team of 7 male representatives from Strathmore University, took a 16-hour journey by road, from Nairobi to Gomba District, with the aim of shaping up the future of young pupils in Uganda. Highly excited by their maiden work camp across national borders, the team was eager to experience, learn and appreciate the existing diversity in East Africa.

 

Brilliant progress was made in a span of 3 weeks, as the teams got fully engaged in the project site from 8.30am to 5pm daily; mixing concrete, cutting timber, plastering walls etc. Under the guidance of local masons and carpenters a 25×7 meters large school building stood tall in the village of Gomba, sparking resounding joy and hope among the young pupils and their parents. Every day, the young pupils would pass by the school and watch with high anticipation  as the construction of their newly built school progressed.

 

Thanks to the support of numerous donors, more than 20,000 Euros were collected for the construction and equipping of the new school. The efforts and determination of volunteers from all corners of the world, affirm to the fact that love is a universal language which can be spoken and understood by all. As a result of the volunteers’ love for others, 150 students now use a clean and dry building, even  during the rainy season. It was a successful work camp for members of the Community Service Centre.