St. Andrew’s Matale Secondary School Girls Dormitory Project

Matale, Uganda

The construction of a girls' dormitory at St. Andrew's School, started in 2015 and completed in 2024, now provides a safe space for 400 young women to focus on their studies and reach their full potential. The project had two main goals:

  • Enhance student safety

  • Improve academic performance

Thanks to the generous support of Harambee’s donors, the dormitory is now fully operational, helping students thrive and achieve their dreams. We are deeply grateful for your contributions in making this project a reality.

St Andrews Girl.jpg

Safer conditions

The girls' dormitory eliminated the need for daily walks between home and school, a trek that involved traveling 3-7 miles each way. This move significantly reduced exposure to unsafe conditions, including physical attacks and rape. 

It especially benefited disabled girls, offering them education opportunities that might have been denied otherwise. The dormitory serves as a safe haven for those from unstable or dangerous home environments, providing security and stability.

Additionally, it features a sick bay where girls can receive medical care for health-related issues. The dormitory also plays a vital role in a water harvesting system, ensuring the school has reliable access to safe and clean water through the Water Harvesting Project.

St Andres Classroom with Students.jpg

Better education

Some girls spend up to three hours each day walking between home and school. Living in the dormitory would provide them with an additional three hours daily to focus on their studies.

Girls are often expected to assist with household chores, such as collecting firewood and water, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of younger siblings. In contrast, boys are typically allowed to concentrate on their studies without household responsibilities. By living on campus, girls are relieved of these extra duties, enabling them to compete more effectively with boys academically.

Additionally, having teacher apartments within the dormitory will attract more qualified instructors and enhance safety and mentoring opportunities for the students.

The building’s top floor also features classrooms.

Made Possible By

Since 2015, we have seen friends and family give to the Girls dormitory work in ways we never imagined. We thank all of you for investing in the lives and futures of girls in rural Uganda by providing them a safe place to focus on their studies - you help dreams come true!

Special thanks to:

  • The Nike Ever Higher Fund for the grant that funded the start of this project

  • The community of Matale, Uganda for investing in the education of their girls through committing to raise 20% of funds needed for the project

  • The Brink family for donating beds for 400 girls

  • To all the supporters who have donated money, skills, and time towards this project