Masaka Primary School

Locked in a world of silence, children who cannot speak or hear in Africa often face being 'outcasts'. Like other disabled children they are often stigmatised and their needs are too often ignored. Going to school is usually a distant dream, let alone looking forward to having a career or family of their own in the future.

Imagine then the joy of the 'Class of 2005' as they celebrated the opening of their brand new 105 bed residential primary school in Masaka, Uganda - the first of its kind in the country.

As well as being a place in which they can learn like other children, for the majority who are orphans, it will be a proper home and somewhere they can form close emotional ties.

The £200,000 project was fully funded by HOPEHIV, who worked in partnership with African Families Support Services to complete the project on time. Most of the money was raised last Spring through HOPEHIV founder, Phil Wall's trek to the North Pole with 15 top business people, including Carphone Warehouse CEO, Charles Dunstone.

"I feel we have done something significant here establishing a project caring for orphans with special needs, " said Phil. "It can be a role model not only for the rest of Uganda, but for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa too."

"Just £10,000 is all we need now to fully complete building work on the head teacher's accommodation and pupils' dining room and library," said HOPEHIV's Director, Russell Davies, at the opening. "Running costs work out at about £1 a day per child."

The Masaka school project has already had a tremendous impact in Uganda, with the media and the Government taking a big interest. The Minister for People with Disabilities, Hon. Alex Ndeezi, was guest of honour at the opening and promised ongoing support for the 105 pupils joining the school.

School pupils will benefit from:

* Sign language, finger spelling, speech and lip-reading tuition
* Sports and recreation facilities, including drama, music and youth activities
* Raised awareness of carers and the public about the needs of deaf people
* Dormitory, administration and kitchen blocks
* Seven classrooms

Phase two of the project promises vocational training facilities, including a laboratory and carpentry, tailoring and other workshops. There are also plans for an audiology room where pupils can learn some verbal speech using special headphones.