- Rotary Clubs support education for vulnerable children in rural Uganda, donating $4,500 to assist students at private schools associated with the Welfare Organization for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (WOOVC) in Kihihi.
- Funds were used to purchase tents and a PA system, enabling lessons and events to continue comfortably in all weather, benefiting around 40 children at a time and larger community events.
- The initiative highlights long-term Rotary collaboration and community impact, building educational opportunities, fostering confidence, and spreading hope among disadvantaged children in southwestern Uganda.
The St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club Foundation, in partnership with the Rotary District 6360 Foundation, has continued to support the betterment of lives for vulnerable children in rural Uganda through a contribution to support educational efforts. A total of $4,500 has been donated to support beneficiaries who attend private educational institutions in association with Welfare Organization for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (WOOVC) in Kihihi, which is a small town in southwestern Uganda.
All these efforts form part of a continued endeavor by the various Rotary clubs to ensure educational opportunity for vulnerable children in various remote areas. The project that was initiated in Kihihi was established by St. Joseph Rotarian Prudy Barrett Nelson about twelve years ago because she understood that public schools within that area were limited and therefore she aimed at ensuring that children were able to get private schooling that could address their needs.
Over time, her organization has made great efforts to ensure that children not only get schooling but also that they have the confidence and resources necessary for them to succeed. This last donation by the Rotary clubs aims at ensuring that children get schooling even when the weather is not favorable.
With the money that was acquired, the group was able to purchase three large tents and a small PA system. This helped the group to have an open space that can be used to train the children. Therefore, the group can conduct lessons under the intense sun or under the rain. According to Barrett Nelson, almost 40 children can sit comfortably under the tents now. The tent has also been used to hold large events like the Christmas party that was attended by 150 people.
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The split of the donation represents the close collaboration between the Rotary organizations because of the participation of the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club Foundation that contributed $3,200 and the Rotary District 6360 Foundation that contributed $1,300. Aside from the financial contribution that the organizations offered, the split of the donation represents the close collaboration between the Rotary organizations and the interest of the members of the Rotary organizations in developing the communities.
The efforts of the members of the Rotary organizations were acknowledged by Barrett Nelson. She attributed her success to the interest and enthusiasm of her members because they contributed to other projects such as developing a fresh water system in rural Ugandan communities. Uganda has a special meaning to Barrett Nelson’s endeavors not only in Africa, but in other parts on the globe as well.
She discussed how she has been able to develop close ties with people in her own community who, just as she does, are passionate about supporting disadvantaged youngsters. This has enabled her to develop a capable board of directors, who even now continue to help her implement her vision in not only bettering access to education through the Rotary Clubs and WOOVC, but in doing so, spreading unity and hope in order for these youngsters in rural Uganda to be able to live their life to its fullest.
