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Have Mercy
The Have Mercy Orphan school was started in 1997 as a volunteer effort by the area's local Traditional Healer, Abbas Ssematimba when he began to encounter children who were no longer attending school because their parents had died and there was no money for school fees or uniforms.
Mr. Ssematimba began with thirty-five children - it has since grown to almost 200 youngsters ranging in age from 5 to 13 years old. One hundred and thirty two children are orphans and the others have parents who have become too sick to earn the income required to pay fees. Mr. Ssematimba runs the school as a volunteer and pays a meager amount for supplies and teachers' salaries out of his own pocket. These children have great enthusiasm, energy and a profound desire to learn and play. Because the number of children has grown so quickly, the size of the facilities are woefully inadequate for all the youngsters who must now be accommodated. Clearly the school needs some significant renovations and at least one new classroom. The good news is that construction costs in Uganda are far more modest than in North America. We have been provided with a detailed budget which amounts to some $8,000 Canadian. This will allow the school to renovate five classrooms and build a brand new one. So this is our fundraising 'ask'. We would like to set a goal of $10,000, however, so that the school can have more books and other learning materials. If you are interested in helping out we would be most grateful. This is one of so many wonderful little projects in Africa started by local people who just wanted to help. Building communities For further information, please call EWB at 604-224-3077 or e-mail Education Without Borders.
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