St. John Paul II Ntungamo High School
Total number of students 2019: 1700
Total number of students sponsored: 417
Situated in the breathtaking rolling hills of lush vegetation in the Ntugamo District, St John Paul Ntugamo high school famously known as “Ntugamo High School” is privileged to have this as its home. Started in early 2000, it's location is about 200 meters from the Ntugamo District headquarters office, (about 500 meters from the main Mbarara –ntugamo- kabala highway).
Despite being strategically located, its original condition was in such a miserable state one couldn’t even tell it was a school.
The Father Bash Foundation under the guidance of its founder Father John Baptist Bashobora was presented the opportunity to purchase the school. With education being one of the core values of the foundation, Father Bashobora captured the opportunity with not even 10% of the total amount to pay for the purchase, and initially entered into negotiation with the owners to pay in installments, but eventually settled to become a full Father Bash Foundation school. The only catch in buying this school was that the surrounding area presented room for expansion. In the last 19 years the school has expanded by purchasing adjacent land and turning it into school facilities which include buildings, the school, fields for sports, and farmland for both grazing and tilling which has boosted and provided a balanced diet for the students.
The school is a mixed boarding school with both O level and A level sections. The progress has not been easy, but a lot of improvements have taken place especially with construction of new classroom blocks fitted with blackboards and well made furniture. New dormitories that have enough space with double decker beds, and provisions of clean water by harvesting rain water into tanks help provide for the students. At present, this run down school which started without even blackboards, without furniture, without trained teachers, and without a proper kitchen is now the best school in the region.
The school still has a long way to develop to standard:
Despite being strategically located, its original condition was in such a miserable state one couldn’t even tell it was a school.
The Father Bash Foundation under the guidance of its founder Father John Baptist Bashobora was presented the opportunity to purchase the school. With education being one of the core values of the foundation, Father Bashobora captured the opportunity with not even 10% of the total amount to pay for the purchase, and initially entered into negotiation with the owners to pay in installments, but eventually settled to become a full Father Bash Foundation school. The only catch in buying this school was that the surrounding area presented room for expansion. In the last 19 years the school has expanded by purchasing adjacent land and turning it into school facilities which include buildings, the school, fields for sports, and farmland for both grazing and tilling which has boosted and provided a balanced diet for the students.
The school is a mixed boarding school with both O level and A level sections. The progress has not been easy, but a lot of improvements have taken place especially with construction of new classroom blocks fitted with blackboards and well made furniture. New dormitories that have enough space with double decker beds, and provisions of clean water by harvesting rain water into tanks help provide for the students. At present, this run down school which started without even blackboards, without furniture, without trained teachers, and without a proper kitchen is now the best school in the region.
The school still has a long way to develop to standard:
- The school lacks proper sanitation areas in terms of standard lavatories and bathrooms. The ones presently at the facility are small, crowded, and drainage is very poor. Attention is highly need in this area cause it is very susceptible to the spread of disease.
- The kitchen is sub standard, not built to plan, and its present location is a threat to the school. It is situated in the middle of main buildings, which puts students at risk for fire and pollution due to its proximity to classrooms and dorms, The kitchen currently uses firewood as the main source of energy, which puts pollution and smoke into the air directly next to classrooms and dorms.
- For student transport, a school bus is required for transportation especially for field trips and teachers access to workshops. Transportation right now is being outsourced which costs additional funds which are not always readily available.
- The school is in desperate need of proper fencing around the property complete with spikes to avoid thieves who carry away school property and supplies especially during holidays. It will also ensure that students stay within the school compound.
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AFFBF, Inc. proceeds go to support The Father Bash Foundation in Mbarara, Uganda. AFFBF, Inc. is authorized by Father John Baptist Bashobora and is not associated with any other groups in the USA.. AFFBF, Inc is an all volunteer organization. American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc. 6525 Pine Meadows Drive - Spring Hill, FL 34606 Established by Sister Margaret Catherine Sims on June 15, 2006 |
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