Suubi Africa UK was formed
On 4 May 2008 founder trustees Christine and Neville were introduced to Esther. A home was leased in Kampala for six abandoned children, funded by churches and events around Consett.
Our story
From six children to a whole village
Drag through the years, or use the arrows.
We purchased 3 acres of land
When the rent tripled, we bought land on the outskirts of Wobulenzi, 30 km north of Kampala. The family grew to eight.
3 new trustees
Fundraising spread to Durham, where Elvet Methodist Church made us their overseas project. A UK architect designed the new house.
Elvet House
£77,000 was raised to complete the house. Esther and eight children moved in that December. It is named after Durham Elvet Methodist Church, who raised the first £30,000.
Trustees visited Uganda
The children were thriving. We cleared more land, installed a playground and began plans for community outreach.
We began the Saturday Club
We budgeted for 50 children. Within weeks more than 200 were coming, some walking miles with younger siblings on their backs.
Community shelter and medical centre
Durham Rotary Clubs helped keep the Saturday Club going. We built a large shelter and opened the medical centre in December, with a full-time nurse.
We opened Suubi Africa Primary School
Doors opened in February with 60 children, six classes and six teachers, built one section at a time as funds allowed.
We created a football pitch
More land cleared for a pitch and netball courts, the playground extended, two more classrooms built. 86 students.
116 students
A new dining hall thanks to Durham Rotary, a teachers' accommodation block, and plans finalised for a second home.
Rita House and a tournament
Teams from ten neighbouring villages played over six weeks. Rita House was completed in September, a forever home for ten children.
A bigger medical centre
Built closer to the school and better equipped. The Sponsor House was renovated for our most vulnerable sponsored children. 160 children at school.
Lockdown
Uganda locked down for the best part of a year. Esther delivered care packages to struggling families while we finished the perimeter wall and paved the village.
A library and office
Seven classes, 300 students, ten teachers, and the first ten children passed their Primary Leaving Exams.
The school was approved
Registered as an exam centre with 450 students, and work began on four new external classrooms.
4 new classrooms completed
Elvet House renovated after twelve years, and our social enterprise workshops began, starting with liquid soap making.
Over 500 children
500 children registered at school with 16 teachers and six other staff. Six new children joined our family in July and are settling in well.
