Schools St Francis — Kanyike Project

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Turning problems into opportunities

St. Francis’ College

Why has St. Francis’ College a special and enduring link with Kanyike?

In 1986, Fr K returned from exile to his childhood home in Uganda and found the area devastated. There were no roads, no buildings and especially no schools or hospitals.

He vowed to rebuild his community and dreamt that the villagers would ultimately lead a sustainable way of life.

But he could not do this alone.

Fr. Kakuba sought help from the one person in the UK he thought would rise to the challenge: Sr. Joan Yates, whom he had met while studying at Bristol University, and a Governor of St. Francis’ College.

In 1968, she agreed to help him raise £300 pa; but just for the next three years.

Today, she is still raising money; but now the sum has increased to a massive £50,000 pa.

23 It can be cold in Uganda but most children do not have warm clothes.JPG — Sr Joan with village children in 2018

How has the link continued?

Adrian Mallett, who set up the Re-cycled Fashion Show

Fr Kakuba has visited the UK every other year since 1987 and always spends two days at St. Francis’, giving assemblies and visiting classes. If students were very lucky, they might have seen him dance as a way of thanking them for all their fundraising over the decades.

He struck up particular friendships with various members of Staff, especially Vicki Semmens and Adrian Mallett.

Sr Joan travels to Uganda in alternate years and has won a special place in the villagers’ hearts.

St. Francis’ fundraising began on a small scale; but it really took off when the Re-cycled Fashion Show became the success it continues to be

This was partly because the then Director of Art, Adrian Mallett, decided to donate much of the proceeds to Kanyike.

He also generously remembered Kanyike in his will.

His daughter and former student Liz Mallett (2001) held a sale of his artwork in his memory, with all money raised going to support Fr Kakuba’s work.

Then, in 2010, Kanyike was chosen as St. Francis’ College’s whole school charity.

Since then, there have been one–off fund-raising events such as the Musical Evening in 2014 St. Francis’s provided the Theatre as a free venue and former students, who had gone on to make a career in music performed free. From jazz to opera - and more! Collections – concerts, nativity plays. Sponsored events, picnics. The list is endless.

How has the link strengthened?

College students begun to visit Kanyike.

Alice Rochester-Tounkara (1999) was the pioneer, spending several months there as part of her gap year. Her biggest, visible legacy was to design and paint the mural on the gable wall of Magejjo Primary School. ‘Some repair work was being done when I arrived and that end wall was looking a bit sad. I suggested that we paint a mural there so got the kids to draw things that were important to them. The teachers picked out their favourites and I then came up with the final design and drew it out. The kids and teachers helped a bit with the painting... one of the teachers told me it was the first time he had used a paint brush!’
Alice also designed the Kanyike Project’s logo.

Natasha Lee (2005 and 2007) was inspired to go after hearing Alice's stories and researched the Project for her dissertation for her Geography degree. She focused on the villagers' ethos and passion for sustainable development.
Two years later she returned and spent time with Dan in the recently established HIV/AIDS Clinic. The improvements she saw in only three years were immense - our donations are truly making a difference.

Fiona Pickett (McKay – 2006) worked in the dispensary and with the community-based health care teams before going on to study Medicine. She has never forgotten the project. It was invaluable to a future doctor to meet people and talk about their experience of living in poverty and with HIV.

Sixth Form group visits were only possible once there was somewhere for a group to sleep. Since 2012 a total of 35 students and Staff have visited, further cementing the bond between us.

St. Francis’ College

Why has St. Francis’ College a special and enduring link with Kanyike?

In 1986, Fr K returned from exile to his childhood home in Uganda and found the area devastated. There were no roads, no buildings and especially no schools or hospitals.

He vowed to rebuild his community and dreamt that the villagers would ultimately lead a sustainable way of life.

But he could not do this alone.

Fr. Kakuba sought help from the one person in the UK he thought would rise to the challenge: Sr. Joan Yates, whom he had met while studying at Bristol University, and a Governor of St. Francis’ College.

In 1968, she agreed to help him raise £300 pa; but just for the next three years.

Today, she is still raising money; but now the sum has increased to a massive £50,000 pa.

How has the link continued?

Fr Kakuba has visited the UK every other year since 1987 and always spends two days at St. Francis’, giving assemblies and visiting classes. If students were very lucky, they might have seen him dance as a way of thanking them for all their fundraising over the decades.

He struck up particular friendships with various members of Staff, especially Vicki Semmens and Adrian Mallett.

Sr Joan travels to Uganda in alternate years and has won a special place in the villagers’ hearts.

St. Francis’ fundraising began on a small scale; but it really took off when the Re-cycled Fashion Show became the success it continues to be

This was partly because the then Director of Art, Adrian Mallett, decided to donate much of the proceeds to Kanyike.

He also generously remembered Kanyike in his will.

His daughter and former student Liz Mallett (2001) held a sale of his artwork in his memory, with all money raised going to support Fr Kakuba’s work.

Then, in 2010, Kanyike was chosen as St. Francis’ College’s whole school charity.

How has the link strengthened?

College students begun to visit Kanyike.

Fiona Pickett (McKay – 2006) worked in the dispensary and with the community-based health care teams before going on to study Medicine. She has never forgotten the project. It was invaluable to a future doctor to meet people and talk about their experience of living in poverty and with HIV.

Sixth Form group visits were only possible once there was somewhere for a group to sleep. Since 2012 a total of 35 students and Staff have visited, further cementing the bond between us.

Email: contact@kanyikeproject.org.uk