BUSSI ISLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

THE NEED

Uganda, once known as the pearl of East Africa, was decimated under the dictatorship of Idi Amin. During the past forty-five years, the Ugandan people have made great strides in their attempt to rebuild their society. Yet much of the country is still suffering economically, socially, and spiritually.

A mere twenty-five miles southwest of the capital city of Kampala, on the northwestern edge of Lake Victoria, lies Bussi Island. Partly due to its geographic isolation, the 30,000 residents of Bussi Island have experienced severe challenges:

• Their once vibrant fishing economy is now able to barely sustain only a small number of the population. Nearly all the fishermen have turned to farming, but their small plots produce meager results. If they happen to produce any excess, they are usually unable to get their produce to the market on the mainland.

• They lack proper sanitation and clean water. They have no electricity (except for the few who can afford solar panels).

• There are no government hospitals on the island. The three clinics are extremely limited in medical personnel and medicines. They are also too expensive for most people to afford.

• There is a great deal of immorality; many girls as young as twelve become pregnant and then live as single moms.

• It is very difficult to get qualified teachers to serve on the island. The government schools have a 100:1 student to teacher ratio, and the quality of education is very low.

Recently, a hotel has been built on the island, and visitors are coming. However, without even a basic quality education, the people living on Bussi Island will not be able to take advantage of these economic opportunities.

HISTORY

In the 1980’s The Redeemed of the Lord Evangelistic Church (headquartered in Kampala) started teaching their Sunday School students to read and write. Eventually, these classes led to the development of a full-fledged primary school (grades Pre-K through 7).

Bussi Island Primary School, as it is now called, is a faith-based development supporting the total transformation of the marginalized and disadvantaged children, youth, and their families across the island. 

Qualified teachers have been brought to Bussi Island from the mainland. Currently the school has 350 children, with a 25:1 student to teacher ratio, helping ensure a quality education for every child.\

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Daily activities include classroom learning, tutoring, physical development, mealtime, and socializing in a healthy environment. 

Spiritual nurturing includes helping students develop a personal relationship with God and giving individual counseling when needed.

Life skills training which includes personal hygiene, developing safe wholesome relationships, and other basic life skills.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Betty Kasaija, CEO of The Redeemed of the Lord Church projects committee, has been involved in child development projects for over 31 years. She has worked for several NGO’s and is the national director of the Dreamaker Sponsorship Program in Kanungu, Uganda. 

Although it is difficult to find teachers willing to move to Bussi Island, Betty has raised up a dedicated staff willing to live on the island permanently. She also works with the school Parent Teacher Association and the local School Management Committee to help ensure that all school needs are addressed.

Betty has a genuine heart of compassion and caring for those she serves. She has taken into her home several marginalized and needy children, providing them a future and a hope.

Betty’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (Uganda), a post graduate Diploma in Management (Uganda), and a certificate in Child Development (Petra College, South Africa). She is currently pursuing a Master of Theology, specializing in Counseling Youth and Children.

Denise Walsh is Director of Mercy Missions International and founder of Dreamaker Sponsorship Program (serving needy children in Kanungu, Uganda). Previously, she was the principal of a Christian School for fourteen years. Currently, she is also a teacher and mentor at Christ the King Church in Conroe, Texas, where her husband is the pastor.\

OPERATING COSTS

Parents pay tuition for their children, amounting to twelve per cent of the total budget. The remainder comes from free will donations, which until recently, came entirely from a Swedish organization. In the year 2020, that organization shifted its focus away from children’s education, leaving Bussi Primary School without funds to continue operation.

Mercy Missions International stepped in to fill the financial void temporarily, but it lacks the resources to fund the school beyond the year 2022. The unfunded amount needed to keep the school operational for the 2023 school year is $56,000. Because MMI is staffed totally by volunteers, donations it receives for Bussi Island Primary School pass directly to the school project without incurring any administrative overhead. 

As finances become available, Mercy Missions plans to continue to be a part of the Bussi Primary School project. We invite you to invest with us, not only for the 2023 school year but for many years to come.