African Rural Schools Foundation : providing affordable education to disadvantaged children in rural Africa

ONLINE STORE: The store is closed for now, until we replenish our stock of crafts. However, we do have some 9” natural woven bowls ($15 each), fiber photo frames for 4X6 photos ($15 each) and fiber bookmarks ($5) each. If you are interested in any of these items, please send an email to mwaun2003@yahoo.com.

Welcome to the African Rural Schools Foundation—an educational project in Uganda

The mission of the African Rural Schools Foundation is: to upgrade the literacy, economy, health and well-being of African citizens by providing

Affordable schools for disadvantaged children in rural areas and

Emotional support for students who are affected or orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

We are forming partnerships all over the world with people who care about African children—especially those whose parents have been lost because of poverty and illness. We are looking for people who are generous in heart and spirit to help develop schools where these children can find hope again as they seek to rebuild a future for themselves, their families, their culture and their country.

These children and their teachers are eager to share their stories, their dreams and their lives with you. Some of the children have lost one or both parents because of poverty, illness or AIDS. Perhaps you are a person whose love and generosity can offer support in some way to help these children build their schools, their country and their future through the power of education.

We invite you to explore this site to see what we are doing in Uganda. So many possibilities are coming to fruition because of people like you who see what a huge difference you can make with your caring and sharing. A little goes a very long way in this part of the world. Won’t you join our efforts? Thank you!

Mr. and Mrs. Claudio F. Macchetto have donated funds to re-construct the school’s old wooden classroom building in memory of John Francis Long, SJ. (Click here for a page of tributes to the Macchettos, to Fr. Long and to Peggy’s Birthday Wish List.)

We will need YOUR HELP to complete phase two of our original project plan, which is to build a 2-room multi-purpose building. With your kind contributions we can raise the needed funds by January 2010. Each brick costs $5 and you can use your donation as an alternate gift in honor or memory of someone special. Click here for the Buy-a-Brick page.

VOLUNTEER REPORT - 3 volunteers went to Uganda for 16 days and:

Documented the improvements made on campus since last year
Distributed 2000 mosquito nets and provided malaria prevention training
Purchased books, supplies and sports equipment for the school
Presented over 100 items of new and used clothing to the children
Visited Trinity Campus
Discussed plans for the Trinity Vocational Training institute
Identified dozens of new students who need sponsors for school fees
Enjoyed programs of singing and dancing presented by the students
Provided funds for an English language specialist for the school
Presented every staff member with a gift of a modest cash bonus
Interacted with children and parents and did public relations for the school
Had a fabulous experience!

See photos (click here) and read volunteer blogs (click here).