Local Community Impact
A core part of the Friends of John Paul School mission is that all development efforts for the school include a positive impact for the local Chelekura and broader Pallisa communities. We hope to accomplish this by utilizing local labor workers for construction and campus development, employing locals for non-teaching staff and where qualified, as teachers, assisting with local business development, purchasing locally as much as possible, and by the inclusion of the community in all water access and distribution projects.
of the non teaching staff are locals
of the food supplies for the entire campus are sourced locally
Locals can now easily retrieve their daily water from a 4 tap cement tapstand connected to a solar-powered pump from the JPSS well, specifically built for community access.
JPSS has impacted the local community greatly. There was only one shop in the center (of Pallisa) but now because of an increased customer base, there are many shops, other businesses like an increase in the number of boda boda riders (moped taxis), saloons, clinics and many others. The literacy levels have increased due to the locals who are attending school here at JPSS. Previous to 2017, many youths were engaged in fishing in the nearby lake but as the school improved, many have now been absorbed (and are pursuing education).
Moses Bwayo, Headteacher, John Paul Secondary School
The many construction projects, starting with our teacher housing in 2016, lead by Engineer Vincent Mutyaba, have had a tremendous impact by utilizing local workers and supplies.
of the workers come from the local community (only highly skilled labor is not local)
Some have used their earnings from construction work to pay tuition for their child to attend JPSS
Beds, desks, tables, benches and chairs for use on campus are built locally using locally sourced materials.
Some workers have learned the construction process and have been able to build local homes for themselves.
In addition, some local workers (5+) from Pallisa have received training and now Vincent has them work on other projects with him. They have learned to make bricks and even plaster. They continue to work under Vincent’s supervision outside of JPSS on other projects, learning more about construction and building a new trade and means of supporting themselves and their families.
The only prayer that we have kept saying in our hearts, souls and minds is “Thank you” and we still feel that it is not enough. A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of other virtues. For us every hour is grace and we feel gratitude in our hearts each time we virtually share with you, all are our smiles! We pray that God keeps your eyes open to us for we have woken up and kept our hearts and prayers for you. I am sure our lives and hopes are secured. Thank you for the continued support.
Emmanuel OJangole, Vice Chairperson Parish Council and representative of the Chelekura community
