As we look back on 2025, we are deeply grateful for your continued support. It was a year of resilience, learning, and reflection, and because of you, we were able to build opportunity, strengthen infrastructure, and offer hope to children who need it most.

December marked the end of the school year for our students and a natural pause for the Canadian charity to reflect on how best to move forward in 2026. Responsible stewardship continues to guide every decision we make.

It’s hard to believe another year is already coming to a close—and what a year it has been. We began in an incredibly challenging place, facing an illegal claim on the school property and intimidation tactics that shook the CBO during the first half of the year. Yet through persistence, courage, and the unwavering support of many helping hands, we successfully registered the school back with its original founder and protected the mission at the heart of our work.

Sunrise had the privilege of meeting with the parents of our Grade Seven candidates this October as we wished the students success in their Primary Leaving Examinations, scheduled for November 3rd and 4th, 2025.

This cohort marks the 9th group of pupils to graduate from Sunrise since our first class completed their journey in 2016—an achievement that fills us with pride and gratitude.

The Sunrise Sensorial Dinner was a beautiful success - an evening that touched hearts and inspired hope. Guests were immersed in an unforgettable sensory experience where Natasha Hall’s soulful violin performance intertwined with Chef Kyle Dampsy’s innovative molecular cuisine and Cam Mathieson’s organic light installations. Together, they created a space filled with creativity, compassion, and purpose—all in support of Sunrise Center’s vision for sustainability and education.

From the very beginning, the mandate of Buiga Sunrise School has been clear: to bring first-class education to children and families who could not otherwise afford it. The school remains committed to offering quality learning at rates that are manageable for the local community, ensuring that no child is denied the chance to learn because of financial barriers.

Sunrise School welcomed two interns for the months of July and August  -  Sergio and Eshika are Master of Public Health students from the University of Alabama.  An internship experience at Sunrise provides them with an opportunity to enhance their skills, practice cultural competence and diversify their knowledge through hands-on applications.

After facing many challenges, Buiga Sunrise CBO and the community members have taken it upon themselves to form committees to evenly distribute the weight of project responsibilities.  An annual general meeting was held in June to nominate and elect candidates for the committees.  The purpose of the committees is to identify local funding sources, with the long term goal of shifting the CBO from a model of international donor reliance, to a model of empowered self sustainability.

The second term has started and students are back after a 3 week holiday. Students are excited to see their friends and teachers and to get back into classroom routines. Our teachers have been prepping and our students have completed their ”holiday homework packages” so there will be a smooth transition back to learning.

Buiga Sunrise Uganda hosted 16 visitors from Iceland - it was a whirlwind of activity!  Retired board member Hrefna Bachman and current board member Eva Gomes planned and organized the trip - we appreciate all the time and energy they dedicate to cultivating this amazing connection!

Achipe Naume joined Buiga Sunrise School this month and a storage room has been renovated  to serve as the new school sickbay. Naume is providing first aid, teaching healthy habits, introducing reproductive health to teens, and promoting the overall well-being of all students.

There is so much to celebrate this month, but it’s also important that we pause and acknowledge the serious challenges that we’ve recently overcome.

Step-by-step we are collaborating with local people to reimagine and restructure according to arising and ever-evolving needs.