THE Rotary Club of Reading has helped to build a new school in Uganda.

Rotarian John Osborne, a member of the club’s International Team, led the project which was dedicated to his friend, Nick van der Borgh, who died in 2017.

John explained Nick was passionate about education in Africa.

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The plan to build a new primary school in Orum, Uganda, was conceived at a meeting between Nick’s wife, Oonagh, and Father Boniface, the priest in Orum, whilst lunching at Paddington Station, London.

It was Father Boniface who has overseen the purchasing of the materials and supervised the construction of the school which has seven classrooms and integrated solar power.

The school

The school

The school, with capacity for 350 pupils, aged 6 to 13 years, was recently opened by Bishop Santus Lino Wanok at a ceremony attracting 1000 locals, and the school, with currently 165 registrations, was expected to re-open on April 1, Covid restrictions allowing.

The schools opening ceremony

The school's opening ceremony

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The Rotary Club of Reading agreed to lead the sponsorship, donating and managing funds for this project through the club’s Benevolent Fund.

Donations have been received from around the world and mourners at Nick’s funeral were most generous to this cause.

The Club has plans for more projects both at home and abroad. To learn more about these and the workings of the Club please visit www.readingrotary.co.uk.