NFA’s Student Council members gather with collection jars, greeting cards and promotional materials all part of their recent charity event to benefit the Mulamba Memorial International School in Uganda. Pictured from left: Roman Smigiel, Mary Kearney, Cristina Glenn, Cameron Deshnad, Anthony Martosella, D.J. Comerford, Gianna Branca, Ellie Slawek, Mary Kate Ciolko, and Kelly Rawlings. (Photo courtesy of Terri Hutsell)[/caption]

In every classroom at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, specially marked mason jars were displayed to benefit the Mulamba Memorial International School, a Montessori School in Iganga, Uganda.

The idea arose when NFA parents Norman and Stacey Bawuuna spoke with the Student Council's executive board about Norman's father's estate in Uganda and their dream to covert it into a school for young children.

Norman's father, George Mulamba, helped educate many people in Uganda, where about only 3 percent of children receive a quality education. Following George's death, Stacey and Norman thought it would be appropriate to continue his legacy of education by turning his estate into a school.

“The need for education is so very important in Uganda,” Norman told students. “Many people in Uganda live on less than a dollar a day, and with access to quality education, they have the hope of raising their income and livelihood. The school will provide Montessori education at little to no cost to the families who will attend the school with support from the Foundation.”

NFA students hope to aid the Mulamba Education Foundation by hosting a month-long charity fundraising initiative to raise money for things, such as desks, chairs, white boards, school lockers, iPads and computers. Additionally, students have created handwritten greeting cards for students who will attend the school once it is opened.

So far the jars are overflowing. Over $2,200 was raised through enterprising classroom fundraisers, creative video campaigns and other unique efforts.

The Student Council, having seen its efforts pay off and its leadership run a successful campaign, are proud of all they have accomplished.

Ellie Slawek, a Student Council seventh-grade homeroom representative, said, “From working lunches to regular meetings, and even after-school work, we have all worked well as a team together and have organized this great charity to help many students in Uganda.”