WellFare is the international mission of the Dorking United Reformed Church to support the BMK school in rural east Uganda.
In the year 2000 a poor subsistence farmer was given a dairy cow by a UK charity. By selling surplus milk the farmer was able to start a small bush school to educate local children. The school receives no funding from the government or other external source.
Such has been the need for this school that over 600 children now attend and receive a basic education they would not otherwise experience in this poor agricultural area of Africa. The school buildings are rudimentary. Four roughly constructed classrooms double as teaching space in the day and dormitory space in the evening.
The school was named after its founder, Mr Banerya Musa Kasoone (BMK). In 2007 Dorking United Reformed Church was able to make one of his dreams come true when a water borehole was drilled and the school had access to safe drinking water.
The next priority was to build a new classroom block to government standards. Building the classrooms is nearing completion and should be finished by the end of June 2009.
The current project is to raise £4000 for a solar power system to produce a source of electricity for the classrooms.
The other hope is to pay for a teacher for one of the classrooms. A Friends of Wellfare scheme has been launched where supporters can subscribe to regularly give donations to help pay for the teacher’s post. Supporters are asked to commit to a minimum of £25 per year for three years.
More information about WellFare can be obtained from Ted & Jane Bellingham on 01306 889501 or at tedbellingham@aol.com
