Rubaga Friends
- a non-profit, tax-exempt charity
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www.rubagafriends.org
rubagafriends@gmail.com
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Over the last quarter century, the Rubaga Community School has grown from having a handful of students to now caring for 280 children.
The focus of the school has always been on helping parentless children and children from very poor families. Without this admirable work many of the children accepted by the school would be in desparate circumstances without proper education, healtcare, nutritious food, and a place to live.
THE RUBAGA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
English, which is Uganda's official language, is taught to the children. There are many other local languages in use throughout the country.
The teachers form a very enthusiastic group, determined to help the students through their difficult childhood and to ready them for life after school. Some of the teachers were brought up at the Rubaga Community School and have returned after passing their teacher exams. They are all dedicated to the mission of the school.
The Rubaga Community School has governmental approval and certification as an educational institution, but it receives no public economic support.
It is very costly to cover the students' fundamental needs, such as food and health care. In spite of its perpetual struggle for economic survival the Rubaga Community School has managed to offer quality teaching. Its students score higher than the general average for other schools at the State Primary Leave Examination after seventh grade.
At the end of the seven years of primary school some students go on to other schools for secondary education while for others school ends after seventh grade.
The school does an admirable job accomodating very disadvantaged children, preparing them for a productive adult life.
School and students face many serious problems and are worthy of all the support that can be mustered!
Facts about the Rubaga School
- Private kindergarten and primary school
- 3 nursery classes and 7 primary school classes
- Government approval and certification
- No economic support from government
- 280 students - almost 100 boarders
- 11 teachers and 7 persons in staff
- The 2009 budget is $63,800 (134 mio UGX*)
- Regular tuition payments cover 22% of the costs
* Uganda's currency is called Shilling (UGX). Mid-2009, about 
2,100 Shillings equal 1 US dollar.
2,100 Shillings equal 1 US dollar.Family situation of the 260 students
October 2008
Both parents dead 92
92One parent alive but sick 34
34Two parents, both sick 27
27Parents unknown 15
15One parent 45
45From very poor families 47
47 Number of children, October 2008 260
A solid fence separates the school from a narrow path leading to the school entrance.
The school is built on a tiny lot separated from neighbors by tall walls.
The L-shaped building complex with three storeys is pushed back to the boundaries leaving only a narrow alley on two sides. The outdoor kitchen is located in one of the two alleys.
In front of the buildings behind the blue fence is a tiny school yard.
Electricity supply is insecure due to unpredictable "brown-outs". Water use is restricted, and sewer facilities are not always dependable.
By October 2008, there were 260 children at the school. New children have arrive all the time, most of them orphans 3 to 6 years old. Dormitories are getting over-crowded, so many children must sleep on the floor.
Of 260 children by October 2008, 107 have no parents and 61 have fatally ill parents.
Other 92 children have one or two live parents. Half of this group come from families classified as very poor by Ugandan standards.
THE RUBAGA SCHOOL
For more information and photos from the Rubaga School select from list below:
School main entrance
Students by Class Level and Sex
GirlsBoysTotal Kindergarten 18 23 41
18 23 41 Primary 1 17 15 32 Primary 2 21 14 35
17 15 32 Primary 2 21 14 35 Primary 3 19 12 31
Primary 4 11 18 29
Primary 5 14 12 26
Primary 6 17 10 27
Primary 7 10 4 14
Secondary 6 9 15
Vocational 7 3 10
All 140 120 260
A little over one-half of the children are girls. Fifteen students who have already passed the Primary Leave exam after seventh grade at the Rubaga Community School continue to have their home at the school.
Ten students are supported by the Rubaga School while they receive vocational training like tailoring, metal fabrication, carpentry, and home economics at other Institutions.
Ninety-four students have their home at the school.
