On my latest trip to Uganda, I met an incredible man named Zaake. A successful businessman dealing in Chinese imports, he was originally from Rakai District and his children had all gone through KAASO. However, once his children finished KAASO he had been forced to send them further afield for secondary school as there were no local secondary schools with a level of teaching to match KAASO. He asked Dominic and Rose if they would set up a secondary school but they declined, saying they already had their hands full juggling KAASO, Dominic’s job as Director of Kamuganja Primary School, not to mention their own 7 children.

Zaake persisted, asking if he fully funded the project and organised the construction with assistance from his Chinese importing contacts, would Dominic and Rose sit on the board of directors to help offer input in the curriculum and guide the educational decisions. They agreed and construction began at once.

I went to visit the school while it was still under construction in November last year and was amazed at the size, scope and scale of the project.

Zaake Secondary School – the computer lab and administration block on the left, classrooms on the right

Dominic and Zaake

From the balcony of the administration block with one of the dormitories in the background

Building the internal stairwell

Construction underway. The school sits high on a hill and enjoys good internet and cell phone reception.

The computer lab and administration block

On 18th January 2014, Zaake Secondary School was inaugurated before a crowd of hundreds who came from far and wide to show their support for the new school. Several of the Kiwi Sponsor children are attending Zaake this year and I look forward to hearing how they are enjoying their new school. The school is located just up the road from KAASO so future volunteers will be able to visit – and enjoy the internet reception the school receives from its perch on the hilltop!