KAASO Uganda

Dominic and his wife Rose founded St. Paul KAASO Primary School in 1999 to help disadvantaged and orphaned children have the chance of an education. The HIV/AIDS epidemic had torn through the region, decimating much of the working-age population and leaving scores of grandparents looking after their orphaned grandchildren. Dominic and Rose opened their school to 12 of these orphans, educating them in a single thatched hut.

Despite the lack of funds, KAASO became so popular that by the end of the year, 49 students were enrolled. Soon parents of non-orphaned children wanted in on the superior education being offered here. The school grew to take in some 600 children, including 400 boarders. Parents who could afford to pay fees did so, helping to also fund the schooling of those who could not, in what became a sustainable social enterprise.

While KAASO manages to cover their own daily running costs, donations from around the world help them to grow and improve the school. Past support has brought clean drinking water, solar power, new dormitories and a school bus to KAASO.