We are thrilled to announce that Far Away Friends has been awarded the Barrett Foundation Grant, a generous $14,000 funding that will significantly enhance our preschool initiative in rural Uganda. This grant will enable us to provide a nurturing, engaging, and safe learning environment for the youngest members of our community, laying a robust foundation for their lifelong learning and success.

Project Overview

Since our inception in 2014 and the establishment of the Global Leaders Day & Boarding Primary School in 2016, we have been committed to breaking cycles of poverty through education. Our new preschool project is a crucial step in this mission, focusing on the critical pre-primary years to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive from an early age.

How the Grant Funds Will Be Used

The grant funds will be meticulously allocated to enhance various aspects of our preschool facilities:

Sanitation: $4,000 will be used to install two flushable toilets, ensuring a hygienic learning environment that promotes health and well-being.
Educational Resources: $1,500 will go towards indoor and outdoor play equipment, along with educational toys to support physical and cognitive development.
Classroom Environment: $200 will be used to install fans to keep our concrete rooms cool during the dry season, and $1,500 will be spent on new chairs and tables in pre-k sizes for comfortable seating.
Hygiene and Environment: $800 will be allocated for water facilities for handwashing and rubbish bins to foster cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
Rest and Nutrition: $1,500 will fund a multifunctional resting shade/dining area for students to eat lunch beneath each day, and $500 will provide resting supplies like mattresses and naptime cots.
Educational Support: $1,000 will be used to purchase bookshelves to organize materials, and $500 will go towards learning aids like classroom posters, charts, and additional pre-k books.
Administrative Efficiency: $1,500 will be allocated for office furniture and a printer to streamline administrative tasks and worksheet printing.
Safety and Security: $1,000 will be used to install cameras in classrooms, ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

Impact and Vision

Investing in our preschool project will have a profound impact on the educational outcomes of children in rural Uganda. By providing a well-equipped learning environment, we aim to improve school readiness, encourage lifelong learning, and support the holistic development of our youngest students, some of whom join our school as early as 2-3 years old.

Our vision is to empower children through education, setting them on a path to becoming global citizens and future leaders. With this grant, we can make significant strides towards this goal, ensuring that every child has the tools and opportunities they need to build a brighter future.

Evaluating Our Success

To ensure the effectiveness of our preschool project, Far Away Friends will implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework focusing on both qualitative and quantitative indicators:

Enrollment and Attendance Rates: Tracking increases in student enrollment and consistent attendance as indicators of community trust and the effectiveness of our facilities in meeting student needs.
Learning Outcomes: Assessing student progress through standardized tests and performance assessments at the beginning, middle, and end of the academic year.
Student Well-being and Engagement: Conducting surveys and observations to gauge student and parent satisfaction, well-being, and engagement levels.
Infrastructure Utilization: Monitoring the usage and maintenance of new facilities and resources.
Teacher and Staff Feedback: Gathering insights from teachers and staff regarding the impact of the new resources and facilities on teaching practices and classroom management.

Sustaining the Project

We anticipate that the preschool project will be sustained through a multifaceted approach:

Cultivating long-term partnerships with current and potential donors.
Exploring grant opportunities from educational foundations and international development organizations.
Launching sustainable-income projects, such as our Maize Mill and agricultural initiatives, to create a local revenue stream supporting our work at Global Leaders Primary.

Conclusion

The Barrett Foundation Grant represents a significant step toward realizing our vision of providing equitable education for all. By funding this project, the Barrett Foundation is directly impacting the lives of children in rural Uganda, giving them the tools and opportunities they need to build a brighter future.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation for their generous support, with special thanks to Pete & all the Trustees. Together, we are transforming lives and building a generation of empowered, educated, and equipped global citizens.

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of our preschool project and the incredible impact your support is making!

Join Us in Making a Difference:

Help us continue to support our mission by becoming an Advocate for Education at $30/month. Your contribution will provide essential resources and opportunities for these bright young minds.

Become an Advocate for Education