The speed at which the new HOREMI Junior School grew out of the African soil from the ground-breaking ceremony to the opening at the end of January 2024 was breathtaking. Thanks to constant photo reports from Uganda via WhatsApp, we were able to follow exactly how literally every donation euro turned into bricks and cement. And what did we learn about the school during our visit in March? Here is our latest school report:
In March 2024, when we were there in person, parts of the paintwork and most of the windows and doors were still missing, but the school was already in full swing. As soon as word of the new school had spread in the neighborhood, the applications for school places fluttered onto Naume’s and Kenneth’s desk.
And this is how the school is running in its first year: seven teachers provide lessons for six class levels, three pre-school and three primary school levels. A total of 42 boys and 40 girls aged 4 and over are currently attending classes, most of whom — 47 children — are in pre-school. Ten children from the orphanage benefit from the short distance to school. From the fourth year of primary school onwards, the older children still have to attend other schools and sometimes have to travel long distances — and pay school fees.
What makes HOREMI Junior School special?
The school manager Kenneth knows the value of good education from his own experience. For him, it was therefore clear from the outset that the HOREMI school had to be much better than the state schools with their overcrowded classes and often poorly qualified and paid teachers. And the institution should also be socially oriented — so that even the poorest families can afford to send their children to school, even without paying any fees if necessary.
This is how Kenneth and Naume ensure the high quality standard:
__The teachers recruited have submitted a multi-page application form and passed a rigorous selection process. Further training is compulsory. The salary is above average.
__The state curricula are supplemented by high-quality teaching materials from private educational initiatives. The school has paid several hundred dollars for these materials alone and has to invest in up-to-date curricula every school year.
__Officially, a class in Uganda has a maximum of 40 pupils, but there are usually twice as many in state schools. HOREMI wants to limit the class size to 30 children.
__Parents are involved, invited before each school year and informed in detail.
Is the school’s funding secured?
No, not yet. Combining a high standard of quality with social standards is a challenge. Only a few children were able to pay the already low school fees in the first term (a school year in Uganda consists of three terms). As private schools do not receive any state subsidies, teachers’ salaries, examination fees, school materials, lunch and the upkeep of the classrooms have to be financed through school fees. This is not possible, at least in the start-up phase, so the HOREMI Junior School is dependent on donations.
A school day at HOREMI:
During our visit in spring, we not only saw but also heard that school is fun: sitting still, paying attention and taking notes are not the order of the day. No, often letters, numbers and words are practiced together at high volume and accompanied by jumping, jiving and clapping. It is well known that movement stimulates the brain. And this knowledge is put into practice in Ugandan lessons with great enthusiasm and success. And this is what a school day looks like for an orphan from HOREMI:
7.00 a.m.: wake-up, washing, breakfast (tea, milk, chapati flatbread, small banana, toast). Some of this goes to school as a snack.
7.30 a.m: School and pre-school start.
10.30 a.m.: Short break. There is porridge for the pre-school children, the older children eat something they have brought with them (e.g. leftovers from breakfast).
1.00 p.m.: Pre-school is over, the elementary school has a 1‑hour lunch break. (You can read more about what to eat now under “This is how the kids live…”)
Until 2 p.m.: Playtime on the lawn, swings, ball games and — since we were there — wild Frisbee throwing and rope jumping.
4.30 p.m: DingDangDong — end of school!
Until approx. 5.00 p.m: The kids clean the classrooms, veranda and paths, clear away garbage, wash dishes, fetch water.
From 5.00 p.m.: 10 minutes of prayer, then homework.
Around 6.30 p.m: Supper — the leftovers from lunch.
From 8 p.m., depending on age: bedtime.
Learning also continues at the weekend. The children work through the week’s lessons and do their homework. And the HOREMI teachers give extra tuition to those who attend state schools but make too little progress.
Education is the only chance for children in Uganda. We do our best to support HOREMI in the further development of the school. Are you involved? Welcome to the Friends of HOREMI!