Winter 2023 Newsletter
In 2024 we celebrated 20 years of schooling at Margaret Junior School. Wendy and I were delighted to be able to visit the school in April, only our second trip back after the opening of the original school building in April 2004. Twenty years ago we could have never have imagined the changes that would take place. The original, hastily built classroom was soon far too small, leading to some lessons taking place outside, underneath the mango tree. Now there is a campus hosting 350 children from nursery classes to pre secondary, with the newly opened vocational training centre offering courses for those unlikely to go on to secondary schooling. Perhaps we should call the school "little acorns".
This has been another busy year at the school and during our visit we were able to meet most of the teaching staff. We sat down with the School Committee to hear their challenges and set down some thoughts about future funding. Needles to say we were made very welcome. We are frequently reminded of the differences between our two countries. Pupils have died from outbreaks of measles and mumps and one little girl drowned when fetching water from the well for her mother. The importance of education in driving down poverty can never be overestimated. Needless to say that during our visit the pupil's dancing and singing were to the fore.
The school continues to do well academically while also making a significant contribution to the local community. The choir is frequently in demand to help at local concerts and to assist in church ceremonies. some of them too part in recording a song for the Bishop in a local recording studio.
It has not been possible to support as many children through secondary or further education as we would have liked. During our visit however, Wendy and I were delighted to meet Henry and Winifred who had earlier in the year graduated in law. Both are now working in Magistrates’ Courts in different parts of the country. There are still opportunities to sponsor students through the Bursary Scheme and thus help them build on the start given by Margaret Junior School. Details can be found on the website if you feel you can help by making a one off, monthly or annual contribution.
Thank you to everyone who has helped during the year either supporting our various fundraising events or by regular donations. We had another successful coffee morning and courtesy of Rosemary and David Lewis a garden event. Alex, our new (and younger!) Trustee, marched up and down the Andes raising over £400 for the school with money still coming in. The biennial raffle was once again very successful and thanks to Hilary for again organising this. We hope that you will be able to help us in our forthcoming Christmas Appeal when we are hoping to increase the number of sewing machines, reducing the need for students to share.
Please pass this newsletter on to your friends and encourage others to become members of the Friends or to support the Bursary Scheme. Leaflets are also available for distribution. Also please contact us if you would like an illustrated talk for your organisation.
Please note. The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday April 3rd 2025 at 7:30pm at St Peter’s Church Hall, Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury.
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela
Registered Office: 2 Whitehall Terrace, Shrewsbury, SY2 5AA mail:
Website: www.margaretjuniorschool-uganda.com Registered Charity 1114202