Links Schools in Uganda

A very special friendship

In 2010 The Abbey forged an international link with Bishop Kivengere Girls’ School (BKGS) in Muyebe, Uganda. What started out as a simple exchange of letters and pictures has swiftly developed into a strong and meaningful partnership between the two schools, which offers a rich variety of ways for students to find out about life and learning in another country.

The Abbey first welcomed a delegation of visitors from BKGS in March 2010, including the founding Headmistress Liz Traill, who established the school in the mountainous South East Ugandan district in 1974. This was followed by a prolonged return visit from Mrs Stanley during her sabbatical in 2011 and a whole school focus on raising money for the Muyebe Water Scheme.

The highlight of many of our Sixth Form girls’ school experience was the Uganda Challenge that they undertook in 2012, with 24 girls spending two weeks in the country. They spent one week getting to know the girls and teachers at BKGS, helping out in lessons and painting walls and murals. The second week enabled them to experience the beauty of the Ugandan landscape as they travelled and trekked through the mountains. Read their story here.

Now in 2013 we are delighted to welcome the Headmistress of BKGS, Mrs Mary Mutebi to the UK and to The Abbey. Mary will be spending time in both the Junior and Senior School, and also visiting Scotland, where trustees of BKGS are based. We are looking forward to introducing Mary to British culture and to sharing some of our ICT knowledge, which she will take back to Muyebe as the school makes use of 40 new PCs that they have recently been given.

The partnership with BKGS has become something of great importance to both schools. The motto of BKGS is “Tuhwerane”, which means “Let’s help one another” and which strongly embodies both the sentiment and the practical nature of our friendship. We have learned much, and have much to learn from one another, and look forward to continuing to build a long-lasting link between girls who, while their lives are very different, all embody the positive spirit and hopes that we share for our global future.

Girls from The Abbey with the mural they painted to send to BKGS.
The mural depicts aspects of life at The Abbey, and it was the inspiration
for the design of our 125th anniversary art project.