August 2025 - A Leap to Sustainability
Prepared by Olipa Eric
Fishing village of Buvuma - visited by Sunrise staff
Reaching Out and Welcoming More Learners
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.
As a community-based organization, Buiga Sunrise School continues to work hard to reach its target beneficiaries. This means travelling to villages and islands where education facilities are scarce or non-existent, and encouraging families to enroll their children in a safe, nurturing, and academically strong environment. Children from villages a far distance from the school benefit from the boarding section, as those that are close are enrolled as day students
In recent weeks, staff and teachers have carried out a series of outreach visits to outlying communities, meeting with parents, listening to their concerns, and sharing the vision of Sunrise school. These conversations not only open doors for children to join the school but also help build trust and stronger ties between Buiga Sunrise and the surrounding communities.
“Our mission has always been to create opportunities for children who might otherwise miss out,” one staff member explained. “By reaching out to where the need is greatest, we are making sure no child is left behind.”
Through these efforts, the school also continues its journey towards sustainability, filling classrooms with eager learners and maximizing the resources and staff already in place. Each new enrolment is more than a number - it is a step toward a brighter future, both for the child and for the community the school serves.
Student Of the Month
Meet Mbayo Solomon, a grade six student at sunrise school. He picked interest in learning haircut skills at Sunrise, which has enabled him get employment during his school holidays.
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can”-Arthur Ashe.
That’s the quote that inspires Solomon.
Staff Member of the Month
Nampiima Sarah is not only a bachelors degree holder in Early Childhood Education but is also the head of the nursery section at sunrise. For the six years she has finished at Sunrise, her presence has always created an atmosphere of a motherly love.
“It takes a big heart to shape little minds.”
Putting Gentle Hearts Back in Order
My name is Nakabuya Jovia, a student midwife in my final semester, an alumni of Buiga Sunrise school and the hopeful founder of Gentle Hearts Maternity. I got a short, one week holiday from school after completing an internship at Mityana General hospital, a government health facility. While at home, I visited Grace Family Clinic which has been closed for almost nine months. I found some machines and other equipment disorganized and accumulating dust.
Grace Clinic inspired my career journey as healthcare worker so I was touched seeing it in that state. With help from Pamba, the former clinic caretaker, we damp dusted the machines and shelves, swept and mopped the floors and placed everything in order, to ensure that the medical machines and equipment remain in a good working condition until the clinic is reopened. By the time we were done with the clinic, you would think it was back inn operation.
I did all this in hopes that soon, the clinic will reopen as Gentle Hearts. I am graduating from midwifery school with my diploma in December 2025 and really hope to volunteer in the clinic, delivering services to the women and children in my community in the first quarter of 2026, founded on a new model for sustainability. Sunrise Centre Canada, is organizing a charity concert to be able to collect funds to create a local income generating project to ensure long term success once we reopen. Donations will be used to upgrade and restock our fishponds, and start up a fly rearing project. I welcome and thank everyone putting in a hand to make our dream come true!
Exciting Upcoming Fundraiser
We are super excited to announce a unique multi sensorial dining experience in support of the Sunrise mission for sustainability. Natasha Hall, Cam Mathieson, Kyle Dampsy and Jeff Bruin have been collaborating to bring together amazing local talents to inspire, uplift, and fundraise for the following projects
A dormitory extension, which will provide space for 50 additional boarding students and generate CA$27,000 in annual local revenue for Sunrise School
An upgrade to our aquaculture project, which will generate CA$25,000 annually in support of Gentle Hearts Maternity and will include pond renovations, a fly rearing project and a fish pellet project
Please contact us if you would like more information about our sustainability projects and to support our fundraising goal of CA$35,000
RSVP Nicole Van Seters If you would like to attend our fundraiser - we promise its going to be a special evening!
Phone: 250 551 7556
Email: sunrisecentrecanada@gmail.com
““Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.””