- MTN Uganda has today commenced the construction of a new girls’ dormitory at Salama School for the Blind worth Shs295 million to improve accommodation services for the pupils.
- The specialised facility for girls equipped with safety equipment and furniture will have a capacity of 36 beds.
- This comes nearly five months since MTN Uganda pledged to construct a dormitory at the Salama School for the blind in December in response to a fire disaster that killed 11 children in October last year.
- Over the years, MTN Uganda has implemented various infrastructural facilities in different educational institutions to boost learning.
MTN Uganda through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, MTN Foundation, on Thursday commenced the construction of a new girls’ dormitory at Salama School for the blind worth Shs295 million to improve accommodation services for the learners.
The 36-bed facility with a capacity to accommodate up to 72 learners will be equipped with safety equipment, furniture, washrooms and caretaker living quarters.
MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, said the company’s decision to set up the facility is in fulfilment of its commitment to doing good and touching the lives of the population.
“We hope that this dormitory will ensure the safety of learners and free up office spaces that are currently being used as improvised dormitories,” She said,
“We at MTN Uganda remain committed to ensuring that no child is left behind especially in relation to access to education because these are the leaders and captains of various industries of tomorrow.”
Ms Mulinge said MTN Uganda is committed to improving four thematic areas that include education, health, youth and information and communication technologies.
This development comes nearly five months since MTN Uganda pledged to construct a dormitory at the Salama School for the visually impaired in December last year following a request by the First Lady and the Minister for Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni.
In October last year, fire burnt down a girls’ dormitory at Salama School killing 11 children and dozens injured.
Dorothy Ssebaduka, the head teacher at Salama School for the Blind thanked MTN Uganda for the contribution that will help restore the school’s glory.
“We thank MTN Uganda Foundation for the decision to rebuild our dormitory and restore our glory,” she said.
She, however, noted that a lot is still needed including setting up a parameter wall, teachers’ houses and a motor vehicle to facilitate leaners transportation among others.
Francis Kinubi, the school’s director applauded MTN Uganda’s support saying it will go a long way in transforming the lives of learners. He urged parents with visually impaired children to specialized schools such as Salama School for the Blind as it is the only option to improve their lives.
“Education is the only way that can enable our blind children to see because they become very productive,” he said. “More than 1,000 children have gone through this school and later Makerere and Kyambogo Universities among others, graduated and are now living a meaningful life,” he said.
Kinubi revealed that out of six candidates who sat for their Primary Leaving Examinations last year, two passed in first grade and the rest in second grade.
