Welcome to our site
Thank you for your interest in T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation and our vision to Transform Homelands & Reinforce Individuals Via Education.
How you can
make an impact
BACKGROUND
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T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation was established to help people climb out of poverty via education. It provides targeted support to St. Maria Gorretti Primary School (SMG) in rural Uganda. This school was established under the outstanding leadership of Fr. Peter Walusimbi, head of the School Board, and Nalumansi Mary, head mistress. The school has grown from a small group of children in 2013 to 600 students today. This dramatic growth was due to the excellent academic performance by the students on national exams, and the strong demand from parents for quality education for their children.
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Despite the impoverished community, comprised primarily of illiterate subsistence farmers, and the very small tuition ($75/yr.) for day students, the school operates on a break-even basis due to tight cost control, and a solid business model.
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THE CURRENT SITUATION AT SMG
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These poor families cannot fund the capital expenditure needs of the school. This strong growth produced significant overcrowding, with only eight classrooms for 600 children.
Two classroom buildings were converted to dormitories to house those students that live on the campus. New government regulations now require that the dormitory space be expanded by 50%.
Over 200 day students need a meal at lunch - because they have neither breakfast nor a packed lunch to bring to school. On campus, 168 boarding students and orphans also need food. The primitive “kitchen” is totally inadequate for producing the hundreds of meals required each day.
STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS NEEDS
AND LONGER TERM SUSTAINABILITY​
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T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation has collaborated with Fr. Peter and Mrs. Mary, along with SMG’s School Board, to develop a four-year, two-phase plan to build the requisite infrastructure, as well as invest in initiatives for longer term sustainability and self-sufficiency.
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The first phase is to build a new structure that will include dormitories, classrooms, kitchen, dining hall/auditorium, and library, as soon as possible to relieve the overcrowding in both the classrooms and dormitories.​​
The second phase includes purchase of a farm to feed the children, generate income to support the school, and serve as a training ground for the farmers in best practices. The plan also calls for initial funding of an endowment for high school scholarships for graduating students.​​​​
How you can help SMG
T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation is launching a $1 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
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We need $350,000 in the bank before construction can begin.
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Donors have pledged a dollar-for-dollar matching grant challenge up to $500,000. Donors can double the impact of their contributions with the matching grant. All fundraising expenses are borne by the T.H.R.I.V.E. Board members, so 100% of your donation goes directly to SMG for the benefit of the children.
SMG is counting on your generosity for the future of these children.
Please donate today.
