We heard from Shauna Davidson, Co-Founder and Board Chair of Deki Uganda on the topic Bringing Quality Education to Children in Northern Uganda on March 7, 2025.
Click here for the power point slides.
It started with a dream - Shauna's now-husband shared that he feared for the future of the people of Uganda.
He thought an immediate need was the opportunity for the children to get an education. At the time few children attended school for many reasons. From his village, children had to walk 2 hours each way to get to school - leaving and returning in the dark. They walked because there was no transportation. They walked in all kinds of weather.
The schools that were available were run by the government and did not provide a meal for the students. There were times when the teachers did not show up. So, after walking to school, the students often found that there would not be any classes - because there were no teachers.
Instead 71% of the children chose not to go. Many would work during the day to support the family in the primarily agricultural area. Some would find their way to a local saloon. And, others would just "hang around and do nothing".
Providing a school opportunity - closer to the children - became the dream. In comes Shauna who had trained in fundraising. Together they raised the funds to build the first school which was opened in 2018 - with a second that opened in 2022. The schools are primarily elementary, getting the children started on their scholastic journey. They are proud to announce that their school has ranked highest in academic achievement in their area and most students have gone on to secondary school - some with scholarships.
Shauna shared a bit about the local village that houses about 130 adults and 370 children. They live in huts with no running water or electricity. The average income is $9 per month. Their primary occupation is farming which they do without machinery. Periodically there may be access to a cow to pull a plow but most work is done by hand (or digging with their feet).
There has been a long history of conflict in Uganda. Families have struggled through conflicts over the years. Many lost their homes and farms forced to move to camps and otherwise became displaced.
By making education available, building a school in the village, there is hope that they will heal from some of the trauma. Many of the parents that did not have access to education are beginning to see the value and feeling that there is hope for the future.
Shauna shared that the classes are free - anyone can attend. The schooling is funded by the fundraising that she does for the organization. They ensure that they have a quality education - with well-trained teachers - who show up every day. The school has an active School Management Committee and PTA The parents are so grateful, that they will donate supplies that are periodically needed.
The adults are beginning to see how things are improving Their values are changing as the adults are seeing how this is improving their lives.
Shauna Davidson is an international development professional and applied anthropologist with 15 years of fundraising experience. She has lived in Uganda for the past 10 years working in international development in Africa.
Shauna is the co-founder and Board President of Deki, Inc., which builds and runs primary schools in rural Northern Uganda and provides quality education to over 700 students annually.
Shauna holds an MSc in Anthropology and Development from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).