Orphan Sponsorship

While almost every family in Bundibugyo needs help to pay secondary school fees, there are some children who have no hope. War, disease, or other unforeseen tragedy has made them orphans. While many are cared for by extended family members and friends, secondary schooling is a luxury that is not provided. (It is difficult enough to provide this for one’s own children.) When we first opened CSB our hearts were drawn to these children who in local lingo “had something in their heads, but nothing in their pockets.” They were the ones who poured themselves into primary school, excelling under UPE (universal primary education). But after sitting for their exams and receiving top scores, they had nowhere to go. No father to pay the needed fees for secondary school. These were bright, hard-working kids, trapped. We decided, that first year, to step out in faith and ask friends and family in the US if they would be interested in helping us to give 10 such orphans sponsorship in S1. The response was immediate and wonderful. Each year we have added 10 new orphans in S1 and continued to ask for sponsorship for those who excelled at CSB when given the chance. These orphans are our top students. Some of those first ones are now at university.

We usually have over 200 applicants that come with requests for sponsorship in the months leading up to the opening of school. (Please read Aguma’s Story in November’s archive for a first hand glimpse) Yesterday 30 orphans sat for their sponsorship entrance examination. This exam (composed of both a Math and English portion) is the final step in our selection process. We will offer sponsorship to the top ten students. We thought it might be interesting to see how you or another young person in your life would do on such an exam. The children who sit for this exam are typically 12-14 years old and a top score would be 70-80% correct. Scroll down or click on the previous two entries to take the exams. Good luck!
(Please e-mail us at Kevinandjd@yahoo.com if you are interested in an answer key)