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House of Zakat builds Shs 230m school in Gomba

By Jafar Mugera

House of Zakat and Waqf Uganda (HZW) has handed over a Shs 230 million refurbished Degeya UMEA Primary School in Maddu Sub- County, Gomba District, to boost education in the area.

The not-for-profit organization, which manages and administers Zakat (obligatory dues) and preserves Islamic endowments to support the social well-being and development of the Muslim community in Uganda, chose the school after a needs assessment survey identified it as having the poorest facilities.

“We surveyed about Muslim founded seven schools in Gomba district and found Degeya Umea Primary School the most deserving. It had a single structure constructed by the government but not big enough to accommodate all the classes,” Sheikh Yahya Kalungi, and official of HZW told The Friday Call.

The local community had improvised with a makeshift structure for use as classrooms while teachers and learners shared a single pit latrine.

The local community had resorted to a makeshift structure for classrooms, while both teachers and pupils shared a single pit latrine.

With HZW’s support, the school received an office block, two new classroom blocks, an 11-stance pit latrine, five bathrooms, an incinerator, and clean water facilities. The organization also provided uniforms and scholastic materials to all 155 pupils.

The head teacher of Degeya UMEA Primary School, Joweria Nambalirwa, said the new facilities would help attract more pupils and improve learning outcomes. “Enrollment had been dropping because parents did not want their children to study in poor conditions. With these improvements, we expect more learners to come,” she said, appealing for additional support to establish a secondary school in the area.

The project was funded through Zakat contributions and support from other donors, including Global Paints and Mbogo Schools.

“By giving Zakat, we not only purify our wealth but also provide hope to the most vulnerable in our communities. Today, the children of Degeya can learn in dignity and safety,” said Sheikh Mahmoud Kibaate, the chief executive officer of HZW.

He added that the intervention underscores HZW’s commitment to addressing social challenges through effective Islamic social finance instruments. Beyond education, the project has restored hope and dignity to a marginalized community, giving children the opportunity to pursue their dreams in a conducive learning environment

 

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