The Proposed Rotary Children and Youth Center

A Convergence of Service to Humanity:  A combination of deserving and inspirational causes

As members of the Rotary Club of Kampala North believe that each person, regardless of circumstances or background, deserves an equitable opportunity for achieving their full potential. This ethos has driven our various major service projects for years.We do this by tackling issues that have national significance by demonstrating cost-effective means of intervention.  In addition to a large portfolio of medium sized projects (Shs100m – 150 million) addressing health, education, skills development, water and sanitation, and rural community development,we have implemented large projects like the refurbishing of the dental school and improving the training of dental surgeons (about Shs3.5 billion); the Club Foot Deformity early awareness and intervention that now covers the entire country (more than Shs3 billion in multiple phases); and the ongoing multiphase maternal and child health project whose cumulative value will exceed Shs1.5 billion. We rely on our diverse high quality members with their national and international networks to implement these projects.

Our new focus is the Unemployed Youth of Uganda, a challenge we recognise as a social time bomb.  They are directionless. Our education systems have developed tunnel vision in our youth: they only look for “jobs” and miss the many opportunities around them. The Rotary VijanaPoa Initiative that has been tested by Rotary clubs in District 9211 trains out the old attitudes, opening the eyes of youth to the many opportunities, and giving them a hand in getting started.  There are already many shining examples of success.

We also recognize Orphans, of whom Uganda has more than 3million, as one of the major sources of unemployed youth.  Some are AIDS orphans, some war orphans, and many – an increasing number – born of destitution, abandoned as babies or toddlers.  Uganda is aware of the challenges, but does not yet have any effective mechanism for ensuring that orphans get the necessary support to give them an equitable start in life: to be an orphan is a condemnation to living on the fringes of society between survival and crime.

The overall project concept has three major components: a Children’s Village, modeled on a cross between the SOS Children’s Villages and the Watoto approaches; an Education Wing, handling education up to secondary school, funded by having a majority complement of fee paying students so that those from the village without means can get a high-quality education; and the Vijana Poa Center, training not only youth from outside, but also providing the same training at graduated levels to primary and secondary school students.  The summary concept that we shall promote in becoming a model for other institutions as well as government is attached.

The Rotary Club of Kampala North has to-date purchased 20 acres of land at Busunju, 50km from Kampala on the Kampala – Hoima Road, at a cost of UGX 150million (with UGX 30million rebate as a donation). We have also, from our membership, acquired donated professional building design and construction supervision services estimated at USD150,000. The center piece of this development will be the Mary Howard Memorial Building.Mary Howard succumbed to cancer at age 30, an affliction she fought with quiet bravery and a smile.  Mary worked literally until the last day of her life as a Senior Grants Officer at the Rotary InternationaI Headquarters in Evanston, USA, supporting project delivering opportunities and services to the marginalized in our communities across East Africa. Mary’s parents appealed that support in her memory should be dedicated to Basic Education and Literacy. The building will have a main hall (convertible to classrooms); a Library and Computer Room; the initial practical training facilities; and offices.  The estimated cost is USD300,000 for a first operational phase and $200,000 for the second phase, with other phases rolling out over an eight-year implementation period.

Be part of this initiative: Support our Children and Youth for a better and secure Uganda. Please send your contribution to the following dedicated account:

Account Title:                    Rotary Club of Kampala North MHP

Account Number:            2918000067

Bank:                                     Centenary Bank

SWIFT Code:                      CERBUGKA

 

For further information, please contact any of the following:

  1. DG Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa             2. Mr Eric Byenkya            3.  Eng Dr F F Tusubira

Title: District Governor, District 9211                Club President                   Project Chair

Email: