Mpunde Education Initiative
We believe that all human lives are equally valuable and that every child deserves the right to healthcare and high-quality education.
In partnership with local leaders and families in Mpunde Village, Empower Through Health (ETH) is building a primary school that will open in February 2027. What began as a vision shared by a group of committed Global Health Experiential Fellowship (GHEF) fellows has now become a reality through collaboration, trust, and the dedication of many people working together to expand access to quality education in Mpunde.
The Mpunde Education Initiative exists to break significant barriers to education and create lasting, community-led change and hope for generations to come.
Building a Brighter Future in Mpunde Village, Uganda
Facing 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 Many attend classes for years without gaining basic literacy skills due to outdated curricula, overcrowded classrooms, and insufficient teacher training.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, due to 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 - ultimately reinforcing poverty across generations.
Constructing Change Together
Empower Mpunde Primary School is being built in partnership with local leaders to ensure long-term sustainability, community ownership, and meaningful impact.
Our campus will provide:
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Safe, durable classrooms
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Improved learning environments
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Lower student-to-teacher ratios for more individualized learning
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Quality educational materials
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Space for community programming
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Greater access to education for children in Mpunde
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Teacher living quarters
Beyond construction, ETH continues to support vulnerable students through scholarships, tuition assistance, uniforms, and school supplies — ensuring that children can attend school regardless of financial barriers.
Sponsor A Student
We believe education has the power to transform a child's future. Through our student sponsorship fund, you can make quality education possible for children who may otherwise be unable to attend school.
$200 helps provide one student with a full year of education and support, including:
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Tuition and school fees
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School uniforms
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Daily lunch
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Books and learning materials
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Medical care as needed, including vitamins and routine vaccinations
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Caring adults and social worker support focused on each child's well-being
How sponsorship works:
All sponsorship gifts are combined into one Student Fund and are distributed according to the individual needs of our students. This allows us to care for every child well and ensure that a student's education is never interrupted if a sponsor's circumstances change.
Sponsors will receive updates from students at the school throughout the year, allowing you to see the impact of your support and stay connected to the community you are helping serve.
Support the School Fund
In addition to student sponsorships, we are raising funds for the people, classrooms, and infrastructure needed to open Empower Mpunde Primary School and serve our first 120 students.
Your gift can help provide:
Approximate costs based on our current school budget:
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$490- Sponsor a school cook for one year
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$815- Sponsor our security guard for one year
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$1,625- Sponsor a teacher or our social worker for one year
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$1,650- Help provide a water tank and running water system
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$2,000- Furnish a classroom
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$3,000- Help provide solar power for the school
Where we are now
Our first four-classroom block is complete, and construction of teacher housing is underway. As we prepare to welcome our first 120 students in February 2027, we are working to furnish classrooms, hire and support our teachers and staff, establish reliable water and power, and provide everything needed to operate the school well from day one.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our donors and partners for their continued support, whose generosity has made this progress possible.
Questions? Let's Connect!
Elisabeth Hajek
Board of Directors
Dr. Camryn Moore
Education Initiative Lead
Board of Directors
Financial Transparency
We want our supporters to feel confident that every donation is making a meaningful impact in Uganda. To uphold that trust, we are committed to financial transparency and make our financial reports readily available for review. By openly sharing how funds are used, we ensure that every dollar is managed responsibly, spent efficiently, and directed toward advancing our mission and serving the Mpunde community.