Mpunde Education Initiative
We believe that healthcare and education are inseparable pillars of sustainable development. The Mpunde Education Initiative was founded by a group of committed Global Health Experiential Fellowship (GHEF) fellows who recognized the urgent need for improved educational opportunities in Mpunde and sought to deepen their impact beyond their summer projects. They initiated a fundraising effort to build a school in Mpunde, partnering with Empower Through Health and the local community to design a facility that is responsive to community needs and rooted in sustainability.
Facing the Barriers to Education in Rural Uganda
Children in Mpunde face immense barriers to education, rooted in poverty, limited infrastructure, and low-quality schooling. Many attend classes for years without gaining basic literacy skills due to outdated curricula, overcrowded classrooms, and insufficient teacher training. As students grow older, dropout rates rise sharply—especially among girls—because of household responsibilities, lack of menstrual hygiene products, early pregnancy, and few opportunities for continued education. For most families, even the cost of essentials like books, uniforms, or school fees is prohibitive. These challenges have created a cycle where educational opportunity is out of reach for many, limiting future prospects and reinforcing poverty across generations.
From Fellowship to Action
In the summer of 2023, nineteen students from across the United States joined fifteen Ugandan students for the Global Health Experiential Fellowship (GHEF) in rural eastern Uganda. While conducting mental health research in the village of Mpunde, fellows witnessed firsthand both the resilience of the community and the immense challenges residents face due to poverty, limited infrastructure, and barriers to education.
Confronted with these realities, the fellows were inspired to act. They envisioned a project that could create lasting, community-led change—one that addressed the educational needs they had seen so clearly. Upon returning home, they began fundraising to build a primary school in Mpunde, in partnership with Empower Through Health and local leaders.
Constructing Change Together
ETH is currently constructing a primary school in Mpunde, with classrooms designed for durability and local relevance. This facility will feature improved learning environments, better curriculum materials, and space for community programs. The school is being built in partnership with local leaders to ensure community ownership and sustainability. Follow @empowerthroughhealth to see the latest updates and milestones from the Mpunde Education Initiative construction.
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Alongside construction, ETH continues to support vulnerable students by providing learning materials, scholarships, and tuition assistance—ensuring that children can attend school regardless of financial barriers.
Get Involved
We recognize that while we may not be able to change the entire world, we can transform it one life at a time. By supporting the Mpunde Education Initiative, you can help in two powerful ways — by contributing to the construction of the new school or by sponsoring a child’s education through tuition support. Every dollar makes a difference, bringing us closer to a future where every child in Mpunde has access to safe classrooms, quality learning, and the opportunity to thrive.
If you would like to sponsor a specific child and receive regular updates with photos and report cards, please email us at admin@ethealth.org or reach out through our contact form below.
