SHALOM NAMUTERE COMMUNITY PROJECT

Why Shalom Care School? Background   Shalom Namutere Care School was established in 2017. It was a response to the numerous nonattendances of the children in the community. Though the government of Uganda provides education for free, the students are supposed to bring supplies and uniforms, which most children couldn’t afford.  We started by providing supplies  and uniforms for various needy children. Over time, we noticed that though they attended government school, learning wasn’t happening. On evaluation, the education was substandard, and many, after many years, couldn’t understand anything. We started providing coaching at the weekends to support the students.  Justification   Many children in Uganda, particularly in rural areas, still lack access to quality education. Due to the growing population, the government struggles to provide quality education in remote or underserved areas. While there are schools in the community, not all provide high-qualit...

                                                             This is My Story:Part 1  Early School Life through War!!! Once upon a time!! Haha. Well, the story of my life is a very long one. Today is the beginning of a series of "My Story" that I will keep writing when I have the opportunity. Its a reflection on my early school life.  My education journey began in the mid-1980s, a time when resources were scarce and instability was all too common. I remember writing on the ground because we had no books and no chalkboards for our teachers to use. When it rained, we huddled under a muddy shelter. Lunch was unheard of—during breaks, we would wander to nearby homes of our classmates, hoping to find jackfruit hanging from the trees.  My early memories of school are few, but what followed has left a lasting imprint.  As...

Whose job is it to educate the citizens? Why, then, should Shalom Namutere build a school? These are frequent questions we get from people who are especially from other continents. Addressing disparities in education access and outcomes based on gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic location is essential to ensure all children have equal opportunities to succeed. The government of Uganda needs to formulate policies that prioritize education and allocate sufficient funding to meet the increasing demands. There are not enough resources to give full attention. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that involves substantial investment, innovative solutions, and a commitment to equity and quality. Children in Uganda, particularly in rural areas, still lack access to quality education. Due to the growing population, the government struggles to provide quality education in remote or underserved areas. While there are schools in the community, not all...

Every time we think about poverty, it's easy to see it from one perspective. The most common worldview on poverty is "Don't give them fish; teach them how to fish." As this is a great concept, we wrestle with how we need to think about it. Teaching them how to fish is a one-size-fits-all approach that works in one context but not all. It also needs to be fleshed out.  We do not stand at one point globally and see the world differently; we actually see a different world. We see very differently when we see from the ground. From where we recognize that: a)  There are very many systematic issues that contribute to what we call poverty. It's not just teaching them how to fish. b) Fishing is done differently, and fishing is technologically supported. c) We must listen actively to what the locals need and understand their unique perspectives. d)Sometimes, there is no water available to fish. How do we bring water to them? e)The community has to be part of the provi...

"Earthly wisdom is doing what comes naturally. Godly wisdom is doing what the Holy Spirit compels us to do." This profound insight is our approach to community development. While relying on conventional methods and strategies that appeal to donors and are widely practiced may be tempting, we choose a different path. We recognize the ease of addressing visible issues quickly and providing immediate responses. However, we believe true transformation requires more than quick fixes and superficial solutions. We strive to discern where we feel God is leading us. We desire to glorify God by walking in faith and trusting His guidance for our programs and initiatives. This means engaging deeply with the community, involving stakeholders in every decision, and ensuring our actions reflect the values and worth of the people we serve. Our commitment is to build structures and provide equipment that honor and uplift this community, even if it means waiting for the right moment. Though th...

Alice's Story  Alice's life began with hardship, as she was born into a family of four, her father passing away when she was just three years old. Left in the care of a struggling mother, unable to provide for their basic needs, Alice and her siblings were separated and entrusted to various relatives. At the tender age of six, Alice found herself under the loving care of her grandmother, embarking on a journey that would shape her future in unforeseen ways. Despite her challenges, Alice had dreams in her heart, though she doubted their realization. Education seemed far off, with the prospect of advancing beyond lower primary school appearing dim. However, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of the Shalom Namutere project, whose arrival brought joy and renewed possibilities into Alice's life. With Shalom's support, Alice gained access to essential educational resources such as scholastic materials and uniforms, enabling her to attend school regularly. The path to educat...

 It was in 2007 that the dream of the Shalom Namutere Project was conceived. What was an idea was shortly turned into a community intervention for so many people.  I couldn't help to see so many children, not in school. Having grown up in this same community, I hoped for something better than I saw. My hope continued to be frustrated by continuous poverty. The community continued to wait for the government to remember them in vain. It didn't matter what party we elected and supported we were still poor.  Who exactly will bring this change? I prayed and started by collecting pens and pencils from my house and my friends. Aware that education was free, I knew the kids were kept from school from a lack of scholastic material and uniforms. The first term we were able to provide scholastic material and uniforms for over 4o children  This intervention was followed by several terms of scholastic and uniform supply for the community. Even then, we realized that the kids were...