The Orphanage School in Karambi

A class at Karambi School

In the west of Uganda, on the border with Congo, lies the village of Karambi, several miles from the town of Bwera. It is here that Pastor Noah Baluku Charles has started a school for the orphans of the area.

Pastor Noah, taking out a personal loan to fund the project, started the school on 11 May 2002. Adoption Now! became aware of the project in February 2003 through our Ugandan representative, Pastor Paddy Luzige. It became clear that this was a very worthy, yet grossly under-funded work that was in desperate need of support and so we 'adopted' the project.

The village has no electricity supply. Currently the school operates from two rented buildings and two other small buildings on a one-acre plot of land that has been bought for them.

The conditions and resources at the school are woefully lacking. There is no running water supply and the toilets are pit-loos (holes in the ground with a crude cane screen).

They need funds:

		To buy benches and desks. Most pupils have to sit on the earthen floors.
		To buy reading books, text books, exercise books, pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, rulers, paper, geometry sets - in fact all the normal everyday items that students need.
		To buy sports equipment - balls, nets, etc.
		To buy school uniforms for the children. In Uganda all schoolchildren wear a uniform.
		To buy food, plates, cups, utensils, pots and pans so that the children can be fed at lunchtime.
		To develop the fabric of the school - build more classrooms and basic amenities.

Despite this the standards of the school are so high that they are challenging the neighbouring government primary schools. This has given it a well-earned reputation in the district.

The number of orphans continues to increase as the effects of AIDS and ADF rebel activity take their toll. The school has to expand to meet the demand. In 2003 there were 170 pupils; this will rise to 200 in 2004.

The school desperately needs your help. Even a few pounds a month will make all the difference. If you are a UK taxpayer then please give via Gift Aid, this adds an extra 28% to what you give.