Building Hope In Kids - Uganda was incorporated on April 26, 2017.

  
Although the project was conceived by Fr. Julius in 2015 and fundraising started in 2016 (with donations funneling through St. Pat's or other parishes), BHIKU didn't exist "on its own" until a Board was formed, a law firm was engaged, and Articles of Incorporation were developed and submitted to the State of Illinois.


A lot has happened in that time ... Donors have been faithful and generous... Ten structures have been built, with another under construction now... Hundreds of students have been welcomed to the school... Over 150 students are being sponsored... Our first graduating class took their national exams in March...


God has truly blessed our project in so many ways!

Being away from family, studying long hours, finishing 9 months of classes in 6-1/2 months... the P7 class concluded their 2020 school year by passing the National Exams on March 30-31, 2021. Congratulations to the first graduating class of our St. Patrick Nursery & Primary School in Uganda! 

The School Management Committee hosted a party for the students after their graduation Mass. The Committee, including Fr. Julius, the Headmaster, the Bursar, and parent volunteers, oversees the day-to-day operations of the school. They've done a magnificent job, dealing with the school closing last March, then opening in October for only the P7 students, and now welcoming the rest of the students in staggered terms!

Did anyone imagine how amazing the school would be? Thanks to you... the school campus currently includes (as seen left to right) the Teachers Quarters, Boys' Dormitory, Girls' Dormitory, Kitchen, Dining/Multi-Purpose Hall, Administration Building, and Gatehouse.  The St. Francis of Assisi Chapel is going up behind the Teachers Quarters and Boys' Dorm.  This photo was taken in March 2021. Stay tuned for photos of the chapel once it's finished!

Last year was a great year in the U.S. - - compared to 2020 in Uganda.

The 2019-20 school year here finished with a whimper... no proms, no graduation ceremonies... online learning instead of in-school classes, drive-by celebrations instead of parties. In Uganda? The 2020 school year, which began in February, came to a dead stop after 6 weeks.  Students and school staff were sent home. Only the Primary 7, Secondary 4 and Secondary 6 students returned in 2020 – in October – so they could prepare for their national exams March 30-31, 2021. School is just now resuming for most of the students, and on a staggered schedule. 

Background: The Uganda national government sets the school year calendar, which normally runs February to November. It is usually 2 terms of 13 weeks, each followed by a 3-week break, then a 3rd term followed by the long break (November – February). 2020 will have been a "dead year" for most of the students. Only those in the afore-mentioned grades will have completed their 2020 school year – and in March 2021, instead of November, 2020.

BHIK-U-Newsletter-March_2021.pdf

This year, the National Education Minister has announced that schools will be reopening, with different primary levels beginning and ending on staggered dates. Fr. Julius shares the details in his front-page column in the March 2021 BHIK-U newsletter. 

Let's pray for all the students, school administrators & staff, and parents, who will be dealing with the logistical challenges of more Covid-caused craziness in 2021!  

Construction is beginning on the chapel for the campus, and it's going to be so beautiful!

The engineer has designed the basic shape of St. Francis of Assisi Chapel as an octagon, with an extension behind the Sanctuary for the priest's sacristy and the altar server's room. Side-to-side the chapel will measure approximately 24m (78 ft.) . It will provide seating for 800 on the main level, and another 300 in the balcony. The front (main) doors will face the entrance gate of the school. 

Yet to be designed are the 20 stained glass windows which will adorn and illuminate the main level. They might feature saints or symbols - - we'll keep you posted! 

(Above: Floor plan showing the two interior levels; front elevation) 

Introducing: St. Francis of Assisi Chapel 

Filmed in November, 2020, Headmaster Maxmas Birungi and 4 of the P7 students share their greetings and thanks in this short video from Uganda. The kids are so cute!

Video of Maxmas and students

Thank you to all who have purchased quilts through tinyurl.com/BHIK-Uganda. We have sent quilts to California, Florida and Texas and many of you have enjoyed them in central Illinois.  Quilts have been given to an 8 yr. old with a serious medical condition, as a surprise Christmas gift to parents here in the Washington area, and some stayed in the purchaser’s home. Several people who purchased quilts commented that the pictures did not do them justice, and once the first quilt was purchased, they purchased a couple more.  We thank you all for your generosity and for helping support the kids in Uganda.  Mother’s Day will be coming up and we still have quilts to sell, so how about surprising mom on her special day with a quilt?  Don’t forget to check back often to see what’s new to the quilt selection. 

Flames in the fireplace, snuggling under a soft blanket, marshmallow-topped hot cocoa. We can help you with one of those cozy ideas:

Thanks to the efforts of several generous supporters, an ongoing fundraiser has been born, and has its own home: a website that's a catalog of quilts & crocheted baby afghans that would love to come home to you! They'll also gladly become gifts for Christmas, baby showers, weddings, housewarmings... the list goes on & on!

Here's even better news: there are a few more quilts waiting to be finished and added to the catalog. So you need to check out our quilts showplace often! Below are some pictures of the quilts that have been made for the fundraiser. The instructions for making one or more of these yours are in the catalog: https://tinyurl.com/BHIK-Uganda

Many thanks to Rick Black, whose website expertise with the Model A Ford Club of America led us to seek his help in setting up our online quilt catalog! Way to go, Rick! Thanks, BHIK-U Treasurer Kay Lee, for thinking of asking Rick! (Kay knows people!)

Blog

Happy Anniversary to us!

Covid Couldn't Stop These Kids!

Let Them Eat Cake!

How Big Can You Dream?

School days, school days

Introducing: St. Francis of Assisi Chapel

Greetings and thanks from Uganda

Quilts sent throughout the US!

With cooler weather comes...