Mary's tears of joy

THE first half of a Ugandan school which is being built by Hailsham's Quicken Trust charity opened its doors on Monday.

THE first half of a Ugandan school which is being built by Hailsham's Quicken Trust charity opened its doors on Monday.

Sixty young orphans from the village of Kabubbu began their formal education in style at the modern school, which has cost a total of 40,000 to bring to fruition. The second half of the building will be ready later this month.

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The Quicken Trust, supported by British Airways, started raising money for the school in July 2000. By August 2001, enough money had been generated to buy a six-acre plot of land, and by November the school's construction had begun.

Horam social worker Mary Dicker, who first visited the Kabubbu Jungle in February 2000, has just returned from her second trip with husband Bill. She said it was amazing to see the school built and opened in such a short space of time.

She added: 'It is two years since I was last in Kabubbu and saw the destitution of 400 orphans. I openly admit that I cried then. This time, I wept with joy. The four teachers and the head teacher have such enthusiasm for their work, and the children are so active and keen to learn.'

A further 20 pupils, the majority of whom have been orphaned by the Ugandan AIDS epidemic, will begin their education at the school on March 28, when it is hoped the remainder of the building will be finished.

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Geoff Booker, founder and director of the Quicken Trust, said: 'It is impossible to express our gratitude to everyone who has helped raise funds to get the first phase of the school built. Our work continues to provide additional resources and facilities as well as cows and chicken for the community.'

He added that it is the trust's aim to have 200 orphans at school by the end of 2002. Any readers interested in sponsoring one of the 400 orphans in Kabubbu which costs just 17 a month should contact the Quicken Trust on 01323 832361, or by post at PO Box 113, Hailsham, BN27 4US.

PICTURED: Mary Dicker with some of the children who will benefit from the new school.