Heart Chapter

At a Glance: Education in Uganda

Education in the United States is often taken for granted. But for the children of Uganda education is a gift rarely equaled by anything else. Since many Ugandans live in poverty and have fallen ill to AIDS, approximately 800,000 (21%) children aged 6-12 do not attend school. Likewise, 17% of the population aged 15 years and older have never had formal schooling. Consequently, 1.46 million children work to help support their families or are involved in child labor. Furthermore, due to increased political unrest in northwest Uganda, 25,000 children have been abducted and forced to serve in the armed rebel forces.

What is HEART?

In keeping with its mission to educate "for the sake of one child," the Religious of the Sacred Heart have administered several elementary and secondary schools in Uganda since 1962. In 2001, they focused their efforts on establishing their own Sacred Heart Primary School in a small village in Southern Uganda. That same year, Sr. Irene Cullen, RSCJ, founded HEART (Helping Education in Africa -- Reaching Together) to unite the Sacred Heart family behind a common cause--to bring education to those who need it most. With the generous support of the Sacred Heart community worldwide, we have built an academic and multi-purpose building, and made education a reality for 335 girls. Enrollment is expected to reach 500 students in three years time. Many of these children depend entirely on scholarships. Since this is a resident school, the current focus of HEART is to help raise the funds needed to build the girls' dormitory. Presently, some of the classrooms are designated sleeping quarters. Building a dormitory will free up the classroom space necessary for enrollment to increase.

HEART on Broadway

In 2005, Elizabeth Moore ’07 and faculty member Clare Parker started a HEART chapter on Broadway to raise awareness about and funds for the education of girls in Uganda. In spring 2006 they spearheaded the first annual Bridge Walk for Uganda.