Oct 2025
What happens when you step out of your comfort zone and travel somewhere where every day brings a new surprise? That was our experience on our latest journey to Mubaku. For the first time, we brought 11 fellow adventurers to experience Uganda with us, and the adventure began when we touched the red earth. Mubaku’s culture is in sharp contrast to California, but what struck us was the spirit of joy and gratitude—especially at the school. Unexpected moments, like a surprise government audit, kept us adapting. We embraced the motto ‘T.I.A.— This is Africa,’ reminding ourselves that flexibility is essential. Amid these twists and turns, our group found inspiration, connection, and a deeper appreciation for Mubaku Village’s needs. Best of all, thirteen more children can now attend Bright Future School thanks to the generosity of our group—a gift that will ripple through the village for years to come.
One of the people on the trip remarked that “Our hearts grew three sizes in Mubaku, just like in Whoville in ‘How the Grinch stole Christmas’. The villagers were so happy that their children were now able to attend school.”
Another person on the trip realized that “Bright Future School is not just educating the kids. What Charles and Dona do is work with the kids and look at anything that might be hindering their education, clearing the pathway for them so that they can have futures beyond subsistence farming. The kids are being fed and clothed. They are provided with shelter, the older girls are kept safe, AND they receive an education. Bright Future School doesn’t just teach the fundamentals; it teaches the kids to dream. When you ask what they want to be in the future, they have answers similar to those of elementary schoolers: pilot, teacher, lawyer, doctor, nurse, preacher, park ranger, engineer, and the highly respected occupation in Uganda of Safari Guide. Bright Future School helps the kids achieve the ability to choose their futures.”
We are not a medical charity, so it has been a great joy to see a doctor from Europe adopt the village, as well. The village will soon have one of the most advanced medical clinics within a 70-mile radius, located adjacent to the upper campus. Check out their accomplishments at https://www.mubakumedicalcenter.org/. We were privileged to meet the doctor and his wife while we were in Mubaku. We did not have a lengthy conversation, as we do not share a common language, but we do share a love for and partnership with the people of Mubaku Village.
Renewal of sponsorships has gone well, yet additional sponsorships are needed. Currently, of the 220 students at the school, 115 are sponsored. We have a waiting list of 24 children: nine are previous students needing new sponsors, and 15 are waiting to join the school if sponsors become available. These include both day and dorm sponsorships. The school’s capacity is 300 to 350 students, so additional sponsorships are vital to help more children attend Bright Future School.
It was a joyful moment seeing the long-awaited water tower completed and filled with water. The next step is to install a septic system and provide flush toilets and showers for the pupils and teachers. We’ll need a septic system for both the upper and lower school buildings, at a cost of $3,800 each. Additionally, a restroom building at both sites for around $10,000 each, plus a water tower at the lower campus for $4,000, will provide critical sanitary upgrades. We will soon have the final cost estimate from the contractor. This is especially urgent as a recent storm damaged the upper campus latrine.
While in Uganda, we purchased and distributed books and shoes using the funds raised by the Moorpark Presbyterian Church VBS kids. Visiting the wholesale district of Kampala to buy shoes and books was an immersive cultural experience. The shoes were distributed to the school’s children at its tenth anniversary celebration. It was wonderful to see the joy that they brought to the community..
One of the newest challenges faced by Mubaku School is the discovery of oil in their area. Since then, oil companies have been offering salaries slightly higher than those paid to teachers. As a result, the school has lost half our teachers. Charles and Dona have been able to recruit new teachers, but higher salaries would help retain them.
To address the challenge of retaining teachers, we are seeking sponsorships for five of the ten teachers. We have already received sponsorships for two teachers, so only three more are needed. This would increase all ten teachers’ monthly salaries and benefits from $100 to $150 ($1,200 to $1,800 a year), without increasing class sizes or tuition. On the Mubakuschool.org donation page, donors can sponsor one-third, two-thirds, or a full teacher’s salary with benefits for the school year. However, any amount a donor is able to provide toward a teacher salary would be beneficial. Securing sponsorship is key to attracting and retaining quality teachers.
The schedule for the third and final term of the 2025 school year is as follows:
1st Sept 2025: Official opening of the school for Term 3
22nd Sept 2025: Beginning of Term 3 exams for all students except baby class
students. (If student passes, student proceeds to next level.)
The PRE (Preparation Exam) is given to Primary 7 students in
preparation to take the PLE (Primary Leaving Exam) in November
15th Oct 2025: Mid-Term Examinations all students (Baby Class up to Primary 7)
25th Oct 2025: Blessing Mass for P7 candidates and the Visiting Day for the entire
school. (Checking on the academic performance of the students).
3rd-4th Nov 2025: Primary Leaving Examination days for students completing Primary
7 to determine if they go on to secondary or repeat Primary 7.
5th Nov 2025: Vacation Break for all Primary Leaving Examination Candidates
5th Nov 2025: End of term three examination from Baby class to Primary 6 class.
28th Nov 2025: Top Class graduations and Official closure of the school for
holidays.
January 2026: Waiting Period for the Primary Leaving Examination (P7) results.
With the funds sent by MEF to Mubaku, following has been accomplishments have been made since 2018:
- Completed the first building, consisting of four classrooms, a school office, and a storage room
- Two sanitary latrines were built.
- Completed the Nancy Wright building, containing three nursery school classrooms and a Women’s Empowerment Center (2nd classroom building)
- Completed a dorm for at-risk and orphan children, which has room for 100 girls and 100 boys.
- The community borehole has been well-maintained, ensuring access to clean water.
- 3rd Classroom Wing nearing completion!
- Purchases of school supplies and 750 more books for the school (previously, the school had fewer than 40 books).
- Over 100 children have been sponsored, and some teacher training has been funded.
- 72 children are safely housed in the dorm,
- A solar-powered water tower has been completed.
- MEF donors have provided Secondary Scholarships for 6 children.
- And more
But we have so much more to do. Future projects include the following, with priorities set by Mubaku village.
- Finish Planned work on 3rd Classroom Wing = $2,000 Estimate
- Upper campus septic and restroom building = $14,000 Estimate
- More sewing machines & training = $1,200 Estimate
- Lower campus water tower, septic, and restroom building = $18,000 Estimate
- Large shade structure for roadside store = $8,000 Estimate
- Upper campus large shade structures = $8,000 Estimate
- Kitchen and covered eating area = $16,000 Estimate
- Provide Teacher housing = $20,000 Estimate
- 7 kids will need secondary scholarships @ $400 a year starting January 2026
- Build a secondary school (Future)
Will you join us in supporting these initiatives? Your donations fund lasting impacts of childrens’ lives. Please consider making a contribution or sharing this list with others who may be able to help.