Gulu High Girl’s Dormitory Officially Opened!

There’s no other way to put it than to say that on Friday, a dream became a reality. After what began as the vision of both the Schools for Schools team and Gulu High School, the new girl’s dormitory was officially opened by Honorable Gabriel Opio, the Minister of State for Higher Education.

Nicknamed “Paradise Inn” by students at Gulu High, the new, two-storied building will house 192 girls from senior three through senior six. Each student will have her own bed and closet, not to mention plenty of space to live and learn. Unlike the previous dormitory that was filled beyond capacity, in the new dorm only twelve girls will share a room. They will also have use of two reading rooms, balconies, showers and ironing stations.

The new dormitory was one of the top priorities established by the Development Committee at Gulu High School, primarily because the current dormitory for girls is overcrowded and dilapidated, not to mention the fact that it stands outside the school compound leaving girl students in a state of vulnerability. Schools for Schools began the dorm as a pilot project and with help from Guess? Inc., Wellspring International and sixty-one partner schools who raised money for Gulu High, the project was completed in little over a year.

The official opening ceremony was a day to remember with speeches from the Minister of Education, the Resident District Commissioner, Rt. Col. Walter Ochora, the Local Council V Chairman, Norbet Mao, and a handful of district, community and religious leaders. Chris Sarette, Schools for Schools Director, was present and spoke alongside Sarah Hartley, Schools for Schools Program Coordinator, and Houston Shearon, IC Assistant Country Director. Through the messages of all who spoke, the efforts of those who helped build the dorm were applauded. As Houston stated, “This dorm is one of many buildings that will be built in northern Uganda which will symbolize that the youth of the world are committed to the education of their peers in northern Uganda, as well as peace for all.”

All of the staff in Uganda wish to communicate our sincere admiration for the many Schools for Schools supporters, particularly those who worked tirelessly to raise funds for the new dormitory. You’ve changed the lives of girl students at Gulu High School by giving them a safe, comfortable place to call home. Thank you.