Kirima School - Uganda

In Uganda, children's education is a major challenge. Village schools are overflowing with classes of up to 500 children under one teacher - but children only go to school when parents can afford to pay school fees.

St Thomas's has provided capital sums to purchase a generator, to help pay for the construction of school buildings, and to start a pig-farming scheme which enables parents to generate the school fees for their children's education. In addition, individuals sponsor specific children, allowing them to remain consistently at school. This gives a future to the children and their families.

Friends of Kirima Parents Primary School is a registered charity (number 1084297) which administers the pupil sponsorship and other donations - thanks to these, a truck was purchased in 2001 which is used to take their produce to the local market and also to take children to hospital when the need arises.

There are 400 children at the school: £50 a year covers a child's school fees, and an extra £50 would contribute to the school food programme. If you wish to sponsor a child, please contact Jeanette Thomson, Trustee and Hon Secretary, on 020 8275 9435.