Papoli village had no real school. The elders of the village realized that the future of their country lay in the children, and that in order to move forward, education for these children was essential. Children taught under trees, sitting on the ground, were trying to learn. Teachers had no books, no blackboards, and few supplies.
Upon traveling to Papoli, a group from Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church visited schools in Uganda, as well as the “schools” in Papoli, and realized the importance of allowing the children an opportunity for real education and growth. Therefore the concept of building schools was introduced. Efforts began to raise the funds to build a preschool for the youngest children, and through the generosity of many this was accomplished.
A modern new preschool was completed in 2004. It has two classrooms serving more than 100 children. The facility includes an equipped kitchen, an infirmary, and an office/supply room. Each room is furnished with tables and chairs and new blackboards. There is a well equipped playground with swings, sliding boards, balance beams, etc. Here the children are introduced to the concept of learning, and what it means for their future. Their educational model is comparable with Headstart programs in the U.S.
Upon completion of the preschool, it was clear that the older children in the system also needed support. The classes that they attended were overcrowded, and no tables, desks or chairs were available. No library existed. Books were precious, as were supplies. In order to continue on, it was felt that further efforts should be advanced to build a primary school, and efforts were begun for this. In 2007 a new primary school was completed, and children come from surrounding areas to attend.
It also became apparent that many of the children attending the schools did not receive adequate nutrition, and many did not have lunch. The project “Porridge for Papoli” was begun in an effort to feed each child one nutritious meal each day.
The two schools makeup what has been named the Dr. Sylvia Campbell Educational Center. The Primary School has seven classrooms, a well-stocked library, principal’s office and resource room. It serves more than 700 children grades one through seven. Both schools have lavoratory facilities separate from the classrooms.
On Sundays, classrooms double as Sunday school space for use by the local Episcopal Church. We are currently beginning construction of a boy’s and girl’s dormitory and a community center/lunchroom. This will enable the school to receive boarding students who will in turn help finance school operations.
There is now a regulation soccer field next to the schools, where community teams from other villages play a local team regularly. This has expanded the interaction and goodwill among the villages.
