Airtel Uganda announced the adoption of yet another school; Sseke Primary School located in Lwengo District, approximately 36km out of Masaka District.
The announcement was made at a colorful event graced by the Lwengo District, District Education Officer, Mrs. Ankunda Doreen, who was the chief guest, officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Airtel Uganda directors and staff members, local community leaders, Sseke Primary school staff members and residents of Lwengo district.
Airtel’s Adopt-A-School initiative is an initiative practiced in all Airtel Africa countries where the company, with the guidance of the Ministry of Education, chooses a school, adopts it and starts refurbishing it.This program ensures access to quality education for all children, in particular the underprivileged ones from disadvantaged and marginalized communities, so as to realize immense significance for overall development of the country.At present, this program, across Africa and India, exists in over 300 schools.
Speaking at the ground breaking event, Mrs. Charity R. Bukenya, the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Airtel Uganda said: “Airtel believes that quality education is not only the most important tool for social –economic development of Uganda but alsoa vital weapon in the fight against poverty. By adopting a school we are not only providing children with an opportunity that they may not have had before, but arealso igniting their curiosity and fueling their learning.”
Airtel Uganda Supply Chain Director, Mr. Patrice Namisano, agreed withBukenya; “We adopt a school every year in Uganda. This move illustrates the strong commitment we have towards development of this country, not only through provision of excellent telecommunications products and services but also through investment in education, to teach Ugandans necessary skills to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
Sseke Primary School is the fourth school to be adopted by Airtel Uganda and permanently remains a member of the Airtel Uganda family.
Other schools that have been adopted by Airtel Uganda – Ndeeba Church of Uganda Primary School in Kayunga, St. Ponsiano Kyamula Primary in Makindye and Nanfugaki Primary school in Jinja – have undergone extensive work to renovate and help improve the conditions of their student body.
Some of the improvements made have included;
- Renovation and extension of new classrooms that were in bad condition
- Painting of all the classrooms
- Installation of water tanks to allow children access to clean water
- Repair of broken windows
- Provision of students’ desks and work materials
The Guest of Honor and District Education Officer of Lwengo District, Mrs. Ankunda Doreen commended Airtel Uganda for reaching out and supporting Ugandan communities in different rural areas. “I would like to commend Airtel Uganda for partnering with the Ministry of Education and Sports as well as the local community to provide educational opportunities for less privileged children in Uganda,” she said.
“I would like to encourage other companies operating in Uganda to emulate such practices for the greater good of our country and its people,” she added.