During the official launch of the project the pupils recited their poem titled “Protection & Care” to convey their gratitude and expressing their hope for a better future.
“Joyful, joyful, joyful, thanks to the sympathisers. We give thanks for the new shelters. The shelters for protection from rain, sunshine and strong wind”, said the pupils in one of the stanzas of the poem.
The Consolidating School Infrastructure project is designed to improve the quality and availability of school infrastructures in the Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda. The main objective of the project is to ensure that schools become a safe and protective environment, adequate for boys and girls coming from remote areas and furthermore aims to provide good quality residential accommodation for their teachers.
NRC has been active in Uganda since 1997, providing protection and humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons.
The organization has received funds from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Okello Oryem, Ugandan Minister of State for International Affairs and H.E. Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther, the Norwegian Ambassador in Uganda opened on 21st March 2014 the foundation stone for the project. In addition members of Parliament from the Acholi sub-region and NRC staff led by Country Director Lamin Manjang were present.
Lalekan primary school, the host of the ground breaking function, is one of the 23 sites spread across the 7 districts of the Acholi sub-region, where NRC is working.
”Ladies and gentlemen, all of you know NRC and how active they have been in Northern Uganda. The organization had ended their program aiming to facilitate the smooth return back home of people after periods of internal displacement in this region. We have asked them to stay for a few more months and help us for the execution of this program because of their long and intensive experience in Uganda. Finally, we are happy that they agreed to stay a bit longer”, said Ambassador Gaustadsæther.
The chief guest at the project launch, Honourable Okello Oryem, Minister of State for International Affairs applauded the Norwegian tax payers for their sympathy and contribution, resulting in the project. He encouraged the community to take extreme care of these new structures, which will be donated at the end of the project to the community.
Addressing the gathering at the function, the Legislators from the Acholi sub-region commended positively NRC for the project design and initial realizations. ”I am particularly grateful for the aspect of ensuring adequate, gender-segregated sanitation facilities. This will take care of the needs of the girls”, said Honourable CD Oketayot Luwila, vice chairperson of Acholi
Short overview of the project:
The project encompasses construction of 77 new classrooms and rehabilitation of 27 classrooms in 23 schools, thus improving the quality of learning spaces for students. Each of the 104 classrooms will be furnished with desks, teachers’ table & chairs. Furthermore 137 latrine stances will be constructed for the pupils to promote better sanitation. Besides this, 84 teacher housing units and 88 latrines will to be constructed. 12 new and furnished school offices and stores will improve the school facilities. To promote commitment and appropriation, the School Management Committees will be actively trained in care and maintenance of the infrastructure.
