St. Elizabeth Girls SS Receives $1,500 Donation and School Bus Pledge from AIDO Network International
By Peterson Hiirya St. Elizabeth Girls Secondary School has received a US$1,500 (about UGX 5.5…
By Peterson Hiirya
St. Elizabeth Girls Secondary School kidetok has received a US$1,500 (about UGX 5.5 million) donation for the renovation of the roof of the head teacher’s office and a pledge of a brand-new school bus from AIDO Network International and its partners under the Drug-Free World Campaign.
The support was announced by His Royal Highness Dr. Paul Johns Eganda I, President of AIDO Network International, during the closing ceremony of the Drug-Free World Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) Competition held at Serere Secondary School on Friday.
The competition marked the culmination of a two-week school outreach campaign aimed at raising awareness and combating drug and substance abuse among learners across the Teso sub-region.
Dr. Eganda revealed that the US$1,500 donation was contributed by Princess Ulrike Pohlman Achom , Chairperson of the AIDO Council, to support the renovation of the roof of the head teacher’s office at St. Elizabeth Girls Secondary School.
He further announced that AIDO Network International, working together with its partners under the Drug-Free World Campaign, would provide the school with a new school bus to improve transportation for students and support the institution’s outreach activities.
Receiving the announcement with gratitude, Sister Florence Simalingat, the Head Teacher of St. Elizabeth Girls Secondary School, described the partnership with AIDO Network International as transformative.
“St. Elizabeth Girls is one of the traditional and leading schools in the Teso sub-region, currently enrolling about 700 students from Senior One to Senior Six. We are grateful for the collaboration we have had with AIDO and the Drug-Free World Campaign, which has greatly benefited our school,” she said.
Sister Simalingat noted that through the Drug-Free World Club established at the school, students have become ambassadors against drug abuse both within the school and in the wider community.
“Our students have reached out to neighbouring schools, churches, markets, and even funerals to educate communities about the dangers of drug abuse. This has enabled them to become ambassadors for positive change and has strengthened awareness about the devastating effects of drugs on families and society,” she said.
She observed that drug and substance abuse continues to contribute to family conflicts, school dropout, and other social challenges, making community sensitization more important than ever.
The head teacher expressed appreciation to Princess Ulrike Pohlmann, her husband Aldo Pohlmann, and AIDO Network International for their continued support to the school.
“We appreciate Princess Ulrike and her husband Aldo for the sponsorship they have extended to our school through AIDO Network International. The promised school bus will greatly enhance the movement of our students as they continue spreading the anti-drug message across communities,” she said.
She added that the US$1,500 donation would help renovate school structures, including replacing the roof of the head teacher’s office and addressing facilities that still contain aging asbestos roofing materials.
“This support will go a long way in improving our school infrastructure. It has strengthened our resolve to continue educating society on the dangers of drug abuse, and we pray that this partnership continues to grow from strength to strength,” Sister Simalingat said.
The Drug-Free World Campaign, coordinated by AIDO Network International, has been conducting school outreach programmes across the Teso sub-region, using student-led clubs, community sensitization, and creative arts to combat drug and substance abuse among young people.
