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Our 10th Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser!
The 10th Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser, benefitting the students at John Paul Secondary School, was held on October 3rd, 2024, at the chic Silver Spoon Ristorante. Again, this year, a nearly sold-out crowd attended. In addition to our many loyal returning guests, we were extremely happy to welcome 12 new first-time guests as well as guests from 8 different states! Once again, Rito Lisi and his staff at the Silver Spoon Ristorante provided five delicious small plates which were accompanied by five outstanding wines from Spain! This year’s event was our most profitable, raising an amazing $38,700. Back again, by popular demand were a variety of beautiful assorted Ugandan baskets…
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Update on Campus Development
With the end of the year fast approaching we are still on track to successfully complete our very aggressive development plans. Our #1 priority for 2024 was to build an 8-classroom primary school on newly acquired property across the road from the JPSS campus. That has been completed and the 1000 + Adodoi School primary students will begin the 2025 school year in these new facilities. As soon as the primary school year ends, in early December 2024, we will rehab the existing primary school classrooms on our campus and convert them for our JPSS students. Our second priority was to provide additional housing for our ever-increasing student body, now…
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Announcing – the JPSS University Scholarship Program!
In 2024, Friends of John Paul School in conjunction with JPSS Administration including Headteacher Moses Bwayo and the JPSS Board of Governors, implemented the JPSS Graduate University Scholarship Program to offer qualified JPSS graduates scholarships to continue their education at a qualified University or technical school. The scholarship offered will include payment of Tuition and Fees for each semester for accepted candidates. In 2024, Tuition costs at advanced education institutions (Universities, Colleges, and Technical Training) can range from $300 to $2,500 per student per year (two terms). Like the U.S., Ugandan Universities typically have a term starting in August and a term starting in January. Parents/Guardians must agree to pay…
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Thanks to You – a Balanced Diet!
In the U.S., the quality and nutritional value of the school lunches provided in both public and private schools is top of mind. U.S. students are provided nutritionally balanced meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and many cuisine and flavor options at each meal. In Uganda, the standard in all schools for the main meals of lunch and dinner is Posho and Beans. Posho is a nutritious food that forms the backbone of the East African diet. It is predominantly made from maize flour, which is a good source of carbohydrates, providing the energy needed for the day-to-day activities of an active society. Posho contributes to a well-rounded intake…
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Where Are They Now?
We are often asked what happens to our students after they finish their studies at John Paul Secondary School. JPSS began offering A-level classes with our first S-5 class in 2019 and first S-6 class in 2020. Successful completion of these classes and adequate scoring on the UACE exam allows our graduates to continue their education at University, technical school and other tertiary institutions. Prior to this, we unfortunately didn’t have the means to stay in touch with our students as they attended A level classes at a different secondary school. But now, once our graduates complete their testing, we know the path they hope to follow. Much depends on…
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Let’s Go! 2024 Uganda National Debate Competition
John Paul Secondary Students are invited to attend the 3rd Edition Uganda National Secondary Schools’ Debate, Poetry & Public Speech Championship 2024! We’re so excited for the JPSS Debate Team! They were named a semi-finalist at the District-level Competition which qualified them to attend the National Debate Competitions at Holy Cross Secondary School in Jinja. This is a very prestigious event and quite an honor for our students to be invited. Many of the other schools that were invited have a considerably larger enrollment and are in metropolitan cities throughout Uganda making the competition challenging. The National Competition began on August 25, 2024. JPSS was represented by 3 debaters, 1…
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Student Entrepreneurship – Soap Making!
Soap making is part of the new Uganda curriculum, meant to teach students life skills that can be employed throughout their lives (much like the U.S. home economics and shop classes). The lead teacher for this is Madam Akurut Caroline. The soap making is done 3 times each term. The students manufacture 15 Jerry cans of soap which will provide enough soap to clean the school for approximately a month. The cost of the supplies to make the soap is approximately 160,000 UGX or about $43. If the school were to purchase the soap, the cost of the same 15 Jerry cans would be about 650,000 or $174, so this…
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Update on Campus Development
Half way through the year and the campus is buzzing with activity!! Crews of workers are bringing our very ambitious construction plans to fruition right on time. And time is a key element. It is synchronized to make sure all 5 major projects are completed in order and by year end. Most important and number 1 priority is to build an 8 class room primary school on newly acquired property across the road from the JPSS campus. Adodoi Primary School is a government school that was on the JPSS property and is now being relocated across the street. The goal is to have the 1000+ primary school students begin the…
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New Professionals from Former Students
It is a pleasure to share this exciting news; two former JPSS students have returned as professionals to work at the school as teacher and nurse. Meet Sharon Khabuya and Kevine Mukite. Sharon Khabuya has returned as an Agriculture teacher. She grew up in Bulambuli with four siblings. Her favorite subject at JPSS was Agriculture and her fondest memory was attending a field trip to Aguile Market. Kevine Mukite was raised in Manafwa District with three siblings. She has returned to care for the students as a nurse. Her favorite subject was English and she cherishes the memories of fun and friendship with her fellow students and teachers. Both women…
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My Grandparents Built a School in Africa
My grandparents are Paul and Nancy Berrigan and in 2007 they built a Catholic secondary school in the small rural village of Chelekura, Uganda, East Africa. The school was named John Paul Secondary School. A little-known fact is that the school was named in memory of my great-grandfathers, John and Paul. When the school first opened it consisted of a total of nine classrooms. And, there were only 14 students and 10 teachers. Please click on the video below to see the full story: Fast forward to 2024, the school now has close to 700 students and 40 teachers. In addition to the classrooms, now there is the Daryl D.…
