Started in 2006, the school has definitely come a long way. We started with a few children in a make-shift structure with reed walls. This has however, changed; we have moved from a make-shift structure to a storied classroom block built on our own land with teachers’ quarters , student dormitories and enrollment has been limited by space to over 500 children.
“Children are our hope for tomorrow. We should therefore, be greatly passionate about shaping their destinies and work hard to raise them to that level where every child can fulfill their dreams.”
— Pastor Solomon Mwesige
Our Passion
At the time we came to Bulenga, the state of affairs on ground was alarming. It was common for vulnerable (orphaned, disadvantaged and poverty stricken) kids to come to us for prayers for God to help them acquire education since in Uganda education is not free and is something that many cannot afford given the high (75%) unemployment rate.
It is a historical fact that Uganda has suffered a lot owing to bad leadership, wars and conflicts and HIV-AIDS. As a result of this, 52% of our population are 18 years and below; many of these being orphans. Uganda is currently the youngest nation in the world on average age of 14.5 years.
This pain and suffering had resulted into many kids taking on drug abuse. Even at a tender age, many children would come to us drank. When we continually saw this, we simply could not sit back and do nothing about it. We realized there was need for us to do something to make a difference.
This is why King Solomon’s Junior School was started. We desired to provide an opportunity to many children who, under the circumstances, would never have had access to education.
Today, many of these children access free education; some pay half of the school dues and even those who pay full school dues only pay about 25% of the amount paid in other schools at the same or less standard compared to us.
We are therefore, glad that our community (Bulenga) has totally been transformed: thanks to King Solomon’s Junior School.
Our Strategic Plan and Progress
Our purpose has always been to become a self-sustaining project. We wanted to come to that level where the funds raised from the self-sponsored pupils can in turn take care of the pupils that we are helping and still help in the day today running of the school. This we have continued to achieve day by day.
At our start, every child enrolled was fully on our sponsorship program. We then introduced two other packages in addition to this full sponsorship package that is designed entirely for orphans. We introduced a half payment for the less privileged, and full payment for those who are able to pay the cost.
This is because our dream is that we sustain ourselves totally. The journey however, hasn’t been easy because many of those who would have gladly paid to receive the quality education we offer are simply not able. Daily, though, we are progressing.
We have with the help of our partners and friends set up good infrastructure to attract the rich to pay so that we can sustain the needy orphans.
We thank God for the progress and those that have partnered with us to see this dream become a reality.
The school has established it’s self as one of the finest schools within the district of Wakiso. We also have acquired a national examination center number 537807. Our candidates will start sitting national examinations from here at school.
Challenges
As stated before, our dream is that we sustain ourselves totally. Based on the packages designed as described earlier, we have now achieved 40% of this. We are grateful to God and our partners that what was at 0% is now at 40%. Our task ahead is to achieve this dream of total sustainability.
Other challenges on ground include:
- Acquisition of more land.
- Raising more classroom blocks on top of the foundation already laid.
- Building more student dormitories.
- Building staff houses.
- Acquiring library facilities.
- Constructing a dining hall.
With the continued support from our partners and friends therefore, we wish to continue improving ourselves in every way so we become a center of attraction for all. The funds raised from the self-sponsored and half sponsored pupils will then help us achieve total sustainability.