School in Barlonyo

I BACKGROUND

Barlonyo is a village in Lira District, Northern Uganda, home to approximately 280 households. Between 2003 and 2004 the village's center was housing an Internally Displace Persons (IDP) camp in which residents of greater Barlonyo gathered to enable easier protection by the Ugandan People's Defense Forces (UPDF). Despite UPDF's presence, the city was attacked on 21 February 2004 by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Within three hours 302 people were killed in what became knows as the Barlonyo Massacre. During the night the LRA left, taking with them several prisoners. In the course of the following month, Barlonyo's residents collected dead bodies and buried them in a semi-circle. A memorial service was held on 27 March 2004. Thereafter, residents left for the city or other IDP-camps. They only returned in 2006. Although the LRA withdrew from Northern Uganda in 2007, the region still struggles with the aftermath. Barlonyo is no exception. Home to and estimated 600 - 1,200 children in school-age, it does not have a public school. Two private schools in the village, run by an NGO and a church respectively, have limited capacities and their fees of 80 - 100 USD per term vastly exceed the average families capabilities.

II THE PROJECT

The Barlonyo School Projects consist of several phases. The phases below are subject to change in consultation with the local community (except for phase 1). This campaign aims to implement phase 1 of the Barlonyo School Projects.

Phase 1: Establishment and operation of primary school.
Phase 2: Establishment of basic health care unit.
Phase 3: Establishment of early childhood development centre.
Phase 4: Establishment of primary school library.
Phase 5: Facilitation of secondary education for Barlonyo children.
Phase 6: Facilitation of extracurricular activities at primary school (agriculture classes, sports facilities, music, etc.)
Phase 7: Establishment of local culture and adult education centre.

III THE CAMPAIGN

The fundraising campaign aims to implement phase 1 of Barlonyo School Projects, i.e. establish a primary school in Barlonyo. The money raised through the campaign will cover the construction of the school as well as 1 full year of its operation.

III (a) Cost breakdown

The cost breakdown is made after estimates given by BACODA, one of the project partners (see below). The estimates were given in UGX. The exchange rate used is 1 EUR = 3650 UGX.

Land: between 5 and 10 acres are needed. Each acre costs between 959 EUR and 1,370 EUR. At middle value, 7,5 acres at 1,165 EUR, land would cost 8,738 EUR.
Classroom blocks: between 4 and 6 classrooms blocks, each containing 3 classrooms, are needed. One block costs between 11,507 and 14,247 EUR. At middle value, 5 blocks at 12,877 EUR, blocks would cost 64,385 EUR.
Latrines: 5 latrines are needed. Each latrine costs between 1,918 and 2,466 EUR. At middle value, 5 latrines at 2,192 EUR, latrines would cost 10,960 EUR.

Workers pay for an estimated construction time of 4 months for 1 on-site engineer, 4 foremen, 20 masons, 30 helpers and 1 safety officer would cost 16,712 EUR.

Teachers' pay for one year (27 teachers, 1 headmaster, 1 deputy headmaster) would cost 29,589 EUR.

Pupils' fee for one year for 900 pupils (it is estimated that between 600 and 1,200 children would be enrolled) would cost 24,657 EUR.

Tables (950 units) would cost 20,821 EUR, chairs (950 units) would cost 6,506 EUR.

The total is 198,627 EUR. We are attempting to raise more in order to cover unforeseen costs. In the event of extra money raised, the money will be used to enroll more students.

IV IMPLEMENTATION

The school will be built and opened as fast as funds will permit it in the following order: purchase of land; procurement of building materials; building of classroom blocks and latrines; hiring of teachers; procurement of tables, chairs, pens and notebooks; school opening.

V PARTNERS

The Projects will be implemented by two local partners: African Youth Initiative Network (www.africanyouthinitiative.org), AYINET, a nongovernmental organisation based in Lira Town, who has worked in the war-affected Greater North of Uganda since 2005, and Barlonyo Community Development Association (BACODA). The immediate contact person for the project is Špela Kunej of AYINET. Please direct any questions at [email protected].