St. Jude School, Uganda
St. Jude School in Uganda
For over 15 years, St. Robert has partnered with St. Jude Primary School in rural Uganda. Together, over the years, we have built a new school building, furnished it with desks, constructed a residence for the teachers, and most recently, brought electric power to the school. Click here to read a recent thank you letter from St. Jude staff.
St. Jude students recently shared a short thank you video. Click here to watch!
A number of years ago, Fr. Augustine, a priest from Uganda, served at St. Robert while pursuing an advanced degree at Marquette University. He had attended St. Jude as a boy. This was the beginning of the partnership between our St. Robert Parish and St. Jude School.
The first accomplishment was having a new school built and replacing a damaged thatched roof hut with a solid structure. Classes could then be held inside rather than under a large tree. The new school has a roof, windows, doors, classrooms and offices!
The classrooms were filled with desks, so the students no longer have to sit on the concrete floors. Next, a residence building for the teachers was constructed. This allows teachers to be on site during the school week, rather than having to walk or bike many miles each day over unpaved roads. The teachers’ residence has running water (from rainwater), bathrooms, and solar power so phones can be charged. Most recently, electric power has been brought to the campus!
St. Robert Parish is the only source of outside funding for St. Jude. Contributions in 2025 helped raise funds to provide tuition scholarships and increase teacher salaries. Only 50% of St. Jude families are able to pay full tuition. Without enough families paying tuition, there are limited funds to pay teacher salaries, which are already lower than at other schools.
Future goals include bringing the internet to St. Jude and introducing technology into the curriculum to improve educational offerings. There is always hope!
Gifts can be made anytime to support this parish effort by cash or checks, payable to St. Robert. Please write St. Jude Uganda on the memo line. Click here to make an online donation via our PushPay giving page. Thank you so much for your generosity!
For questions or more information, please call the parish office at (414) 332-1164 and leave a message for parishioners/chairs Cathy Hoelter and Mary Linn.
