Once Africa
Unlocking Uganda's Future, One Child at a Time..
Travel with Purpose. Partner with Impact.
The Hard Truth: Why Education Cannot Wait
In the remote regions of Uganda, Masaka Kyananjula Primary School is fighting a crisis that reaches far beyond the classroom. The challenge isn't just about funding; it's about life, safety, and a future stolen too early.
The simple act of getting an education carries immense risk. Children, particularly girls, walk up to 5 kilometers to school every day, facing dangers that no student should ever encounter. For many families, poverty dictates the timeline of a child’s life.
"At the age of 14, girls start to get married, then boys at 15 years... Girls have been sexually, physically, emotionally and psychologically abused."
This devastating reality leads to rampant illiteracy and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. The scale is staggering: In Africa, we are targeting 48 million youth aged 15-24 who are illiterate. By supporting Once Africa, you are providing the only pathway out of this cycle.
24 Years of Resilience: Kyananjula Modern Primary School
Amidst the deep educational and social challenges of remote Uganda, Kyananjula Modern Primary School has stood as a beacon of hope for nearly a quarter-century. Founded in 2000 to bridge a massive education gap, the school has operated on sacrifice, not profit.
For 24 years, the teachers and staff have tirelessly provided a safe haven and high-quality education to the community’s most vulnerable children. Currently, they are successfully supporting 400 students (ranging from 4 to 16 years old), including 100 orphans, all of whom pay zero tuition.
This incredible feat has been achieved despite constant financial hardship—salaries are often missed, and the school infrastructure is severely strained. However, their commitment has never wavered. As Mike shared, the daily success stories are the fuel:
"Due to success stories we get every year, this has been an encouragement for us to continue supporting these children... This has kept us going to continue changing and transforming lives."
This is not a new venture; it is a proven, trustworthy solution with a 24-year track record of turning vulnerable children into successful primary teachers, business people, and community leaders. Our partnership is designed to finally give this resilient school the reliable support it has earned.
The Proof is in the Progress: 24 Years of Impact
The 24-year struggle has produced concrete, measurable results. Masaka Kyananjula Primary School is not just keeping kids off the streets; it is cultivating community leaders.
Since 2000, over 1,200 students have passed through the school. Here is a snapshot of the impact they have made, showing how your sponsorship helps build a self-reliant, stronger community:
Alumni Impact on the Community
Our Commitment: Sponsorship is the Answer
The 24 years of sacrifice by Mike and the Once Africa team proves this model works—what they lack is consistent, reliable funding. You are the key to making their heroic work sustainable.
This Partnership is Built In: We want to be clear: With every trip you book with Compass and Fable, a portion of the proceeds is automatically donated to support our global literacy initiatives, including Once Africa. Your travel is already doing good!
However, the sheer urgency of the crisis at Masaka Kyananjula Primary School requires a deeper commitment.
Full sponsorship is the only way to stabilize the school, guarantee safety, and enable future expansion (like reopening the secondary school). Your contribution ensures a child receives education, food, and safety, specifically prioritizing the students who need it most:
Double Orphans: Children who have lost both parents.
Single Orphans: Children who have lost one parent.
Destitute Students: Children from families who are extremely poor and lack the means for basic necessities.
By choosing full sponsorship, you are making a clear, powerful investment in a child’s future, reducing the immense financial burden on the school, and allowing them to expand their impact to hundreds more vulnerable children across Uganda.
