The Journey to Sabina
First volunteer group to the school in 2 years
In August, members of our Friends of Sabina family joined our Co-Director, Maria White, and her husband, Celso White, on-ground in Uganda to experience the magic of the Sabina community. Volunteers connected with staff, students, and Sabina families during this inaugural donor's trip.
The ability to experience Sabina firsthand brings to life what is so special about the school and its community. It's also a full-circle moment that allows a person to see where their prayers, money, and hard work have gone as well as how it's changing lives. We are excited to share their reflections with you and a word from our Co-director, Maria White.
A note from FOS Co-Director Maria White from Uganda
Olyotya (hello) beautiful Friends of Sabina family!
With much anticipation, Celso and I returned to The Sabina School after a two-year pause due to Covid. We traveled with five volunteers and a laundry list of action items. It was lovely seeing up close the on-ground transformation that had been designed in the states, chatting with school staff/cooks/ dorm moms, and strategizing on the next phases.
In this update, you will hear the transformative takeaways from our volunteers and grasp the magnitude of the changes that continue to occur. I thank my partners Ann Marie Davis and Stephen Sango for their unwavering dedication. We all continue to stay focused on the task GOD has given us. As importantly – we know that this takes a village and our Friends of Sabina family are our village. Thank you for caring!!!
I welcome you to sit back and enjoy the journey through our volunteers!
Volunteer Mission Focus
The donor trip and co-director visit touched all four areas of focus: education, infrastructure, sustainability, and community. As we discuss the impact made during the trip, we will share some of our volunteers’ top takeaways:
Education
Our volunteers brought school supplies, clocks, and more to help our students stay on track with their studies and set our teachers up for success as they instill the love of learning.
“The kids here have the best work ethic I have ever witnessed”
Our volunteers taught and tutored our P6 students in math and English.
They also provided faculty workshops on menstruation, proper hygiene, and common illnesses.
Community
“The simple joy of the children upon our royal greeting and then each and every day we were embraced in a community of love”
Our donors visited with sponsored children, their families, and Sabina alums, who recently moved onto secondary school.
Our volunteers also provided workshops for Sabina's Club GLOW (Girls Leading Our World). The students learned how to journal.
Infrastructure
“Saving water and electricity is very important”
Our volunteers helped paint the dorms’ exterior and the computer lab. The paint, in addition to new doors, windows, and tables, completed the new computer lab.
The old kitchen was renovated to create four multi-purpose rooms. Meanwhile, a performing arts stage was added to the dining area.
W.A.S.H Update
Friends of Sabina continues to make progress with its' W.A.S.H (Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene) focus. We purchased water tanks, evaluated all water sources and piping, selected new gutters, and built a new insinuator.
Sustainability
“The needs of the people are tremendous. You are making a wonderful impact on their lives while offering them hope and a better future”
The work to create a new road and redefine Sabina's land with its additional acreage has begun. This land will help expand Sabina's campus and its' capacity to generate income for the school for years to come.
Donor Trip Reflections
Daniel
The simplicity of life here at Sabina and also in all of Uganda. I learned you can live off the most basic necessities, i.e., no hot water, a vegetarian diet, and hard mattresses for sleep. People here are so joyful despite what little they have. They find joy in the simplest things.
Nathaniel
The ability to connect and make memories with all the kids at Sabina. It was heartwarming to see all the kids who wanted to interact with us: playing soccer/ football/ spikeball with them, dancing with them, sitting in a circle and talking about life with them, or showing them different things on our phones.
Susan
The gratitude and grace of the children, staff, and families.
Adela
My top three takeaways were new friendships, knowledge of Ugandan culture, and a sense of gratitude.
Cyndi
The most impactful and powerful elements of my time at the Sabina school were the kindness of everyone. It started with perfect strangers – Maria and Celso White and filtered to the headmaster, Stephen Sango, the teachers, and of course, the students. My heart was stolen by the little ones, especially Mavisha and Miram
