Thank you so much to everyone who participated in or donated to our first annual virtual 5K – benefiting the students and teachers at John Paul Secondary School in Uganda! The 5K week was a huge success: we had 175 participants from all around the world, we received tons of great photos of people walking, running, rolling for the kids and we earned over $22,500 which will help tremendously with the efforts in the months

How do you regain an entire year of learning lost to closed schools with no capability for long-distance or virtual learning? It’s a challenge! The Ugandan government has put in place a three-year educational plan that will ultimately get students back into a regular school schedule by 2024. This plan utilizes shorter terms, fewer holidays and use of normal exam time for intensified studies. The new education schedule looks like this: School YearFirst TermSecond TermThird

When you register to help us Bridge the Gap, you pledge to run, walk or bike a 5K (3.1 miles) sometime during the week of June 5-11. You have the freedom to choose your method of movement, your own route and your own timing, all while being a part of something special. Everyone registered by May 15th will receive a custom Friends of John Paul School race shirt, race bib, water bottle, earbuds and a

In talking to Francis Akol, it is clear that he is passionate about computer technology and its importance to his students. “In the 21st century, computer technology is applicable in all aspects of society – education, business, health, etc.  It is important that JPSS students, like other African students, become computer literate to meet the life-after-school challenges that preside in this era of computer technology dominance.” Francis intended to pursue a career in business, but

The generous outpouring from donors during our annual Holiday Campaign is welcoming students back to a greatly enhanced Computer Lab . . . with more improvements to come.  But first . . . a recap. We are grateful to report that donor contributions from Giving Tuesday and our annual Holiday Mailing campaigns net John Paul Secondary School $142,531, an 87 % increase over four years.  A review of the campaigns from 2017 through 2020 indicates

Tuesday, December 1 marks the International Day of Charitable Giving. This is a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity. Friends of JPS have been participating in Giving Tuesday for the past 5 years and it has always proven to us just how very generous YOU really are.  We will be launching our GivingTuesday campaign in a few weeks so please check your email inbox for all

Photo of JPSS Headmaster Bwayo Moses The COVID pandemic has had a tremendous impact on students and parents here in the USA . . . but for the students of Uganda, it has been devastating!   The government’s extreme shutdown did keep the virus from spreading and the death rate has been kept low but has had catastrophic effects on schools and students. Ugandan students have missed an entire year of studies. They don’t have the

Friends of John Paul School held the 6th Annual Wine Tasting Charity event to benefit John Paul Secondary School.   Although our gathering was much smaller this year due to Covid-19, the generosity of attendees and non-attendees rendered a most successful event!!!  The combination of great food, premier wines and congenial guests ensured that a fun time was had by all.    To all who attended and those who donated from afar, we say . . .Thank

For all of us, Covid-19 has been difficult and disruptive . . . but for the school children of Uganda, it has become disastrous. In Uganda, which has minimal provision for health care, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to show increased cases as well as rising deaths.   Thus, the government has taken rigorous steps . . . from closing all borders to governing transportation, to restricting travel between villages and regions to closing ALL schools. All

We’re happy to announce that a new Pastor/Director has been appointed to John Paul Secondary School. His name is Fr. John Chrysostom Oduc and he was born in Pallisa, which means he’s now only 7 miles from his home! Father John was ordained in 2010 and has served as assistant pastor and pastor in three other parishes before coming to serve as Pastor of St John the Baptist Church and director of JPSS. He has