WORLD VISION – SANLAM PARTNERSHIP BOOSTS EDUCATIONAL ACCESS IN PADER AND AGAGO DISTRICTS
After three years of breaking education barriers, the partnership between World Vision Uganda, Sanlam Uganda and the Sanlam Foundation Trust (SFT) has come to a successful close, leaving behind a legacy of a conducive learning environment and increased enrollment in schools.
In 2021, Sanlam committed over 670,000,000 Uganda Shillings (approximately 182,808 USD) under the Pader Education Strengthening Project (PESP), benefiting Dago Dwong, Lamogi Omeny Kimac, Wanduku, and Ajali Lajwa Primary Schools.
The collaboration has significantly improved educational outcomes through the construction of classroom blocks, latrine facilities, teachers' houses, and the provision of scholastic materials, such as textbooks. The partnership has led to increased pupil enrolment and improved teacher retention due to the better teaching environment.
Francis, 16, a pupil at Ajali Lajwa primary school says the school has been struggling with space, making the pupils study in congested class rooms.
“There was no option but for children to study under trees because the classrooms were not enough. I am happy that we have a new classroom block,” he says.
Charles Labeja, the head teacher of the school, says the enrolment of learners has increased. “Initially, we were having only 1,000 learners but we have registered an increment of 221 learners and we expect more because there is learning space,” he says.
Mr. Clement Nhlangwana, the Head of Marketing-Africa at SanlamAllianz, who represented the Sanlam Foundation Trust (SFT) at the closure event, highlighted that the Sanlam Foundation's responsibility is to "preserve Sanlam's credibility as a responsible corporate citizen in Uganda and throughout Africa.
According to Jeremiah Nyagah, National Director, World Vision Uganda, the tremendous impact made through this collaboration is one that has provided steady development across schools in Pader district and will evidently see sustainable impact within the communities in the long run.
“With partnerships, we have given children and teachers a fair chance at life through increased access to quality education in an enabling environment,” he says.
The Sanlam Head of Marketing and Channel Development for East Africa Dr. Donato Laboke, who represented Sanlam Uganda expressed gratitude to World Vision for their diligent partnership and commended their professionalism in ensuring that all of the targeted school developments under the program were completed on time.
"Children are not as powerful as their parents, teachers, or community leaders; their strength is derived from the belief that life will be better, that there will be a brighter tomorrow." Consequently, it is our responsibility as a community to realise their aspirations through these partnerships.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics notes that over 30% of schools use temporary classrooms which are commonly overcrowded, poorly ventilated hence compromise overall participation, attention of the students and in the long run contribute to high school dropouts.
By: Derrick Kyatuka and Willy Mwesigwa