A Ugandan girl on a visit to her new school Students prepare for their first class

Sacred Heart students, associates, alumnae, alumni and partners in mission in the United States and around the world have contributed to make this project possible. The school is the first Sacred Heart school in East Africa.

As of mid-January, the Sacred Heart Primary School of Uganda had enrolled 70 girls for grades one, two and three. Additional students are expected to enroll in the next three weeks.

The first phase of construction is completed and last minute preparations are being made to furnish the classes to be occupied and prepare the educational environment, according to Sister Irene Cullen, RSCJ.

The school’s motto is “Open to Learn, to Love, to Serve.”

"The parents, while very happy for their little girls to go to school, also speak about how the school will help to develop their area, which is quite poor," Sister Cullen said.

According to a recent report from Religious of the Sacred Heart in Uganda, the local Kyamusansala people of the region are thrilled. The Sisters write: "The parents brought the children with such hope and dignity. The little girls were all dressed up in their best and gracious about whatever they saw at the school. The little ones were a delight to interview. Each day brought a new child with her own character. One of them said to me, "Sister, I am not going home with mummy, I want to stay here with you because I like this school and I want to learn. I want to go to class now! "

Six Religious of the Sacred Heart from the United States are in ministry in East Africa. They are Connie Dryden, Helen O'Regan, Ann Smith, Lolín Menéndez, and Renie Cullen. Sister Cullen, who does development work for the school and the Uganda-Kenya Province, divides her time between Africa and the United States.

Sacred Heart Primary School of Uganda: Doorway to hope

(For more information, see the "Global Dimensions: Storyline " on the same subject.)