Echoes Foundation

Harriet is able to continue studies thanks to a donation from Agnes Irwin School, Philadelphia

Classroom at Trinity Children’s Centre

Roll call at Trinity Children’s Centre for P1 to P7

Science room with some donated equipment

Although the governments of Africa are committed to providing no-fee Universal Primary Education (UPE) in response to the United Nations mandate, the practicality of doing so is proving impossible.  With scant resources at their disposal many countries are unprepared to meet the needs of the millions of children who have flooded the system. Countries like Uganda are finding themselves playing catch-up.  The implementation of UPE in Uganda (and Sub-Saharan Africa at large) usually means 100 children per classroom.  Teachers are not only over-burdened but also in short supply and often poorly trained.

In reality, public schools are in chaos.  For families who are determined to give their children a quality education it is necessary to locate a private school and pay for the opportunity. Fees may not be high by Western standards, but how do you pay to educate an average family with six children on the average annual wage of $300?  It is an unattainable dream for many. Add to this the challenge of AIDS and disease, of hunger, and the necessity for many families to live under one roof in order to survive.  Living in Africa today is difficult indeed.  Most know that education is the only way toward a brighter future. But how can families afford it?

The ECHOES Scholarship Programs provide children the opportunity of a lifetime—an education. In the U.S, we may sometimes take our education for granted, but for Ugandans it is a means to survival, and a chance to get ahead in the world.

For the children of Uganda, their education is the one thing, maybe the only thing that can never be taken away from them.  For the children of Uganda, it is the gift of hope.

Annual School Cost for one Primary Student:

• Primary 1 to Primary 7: $150.00 (USD).  Includes tuition, uniform with shoes and socks, textbooks, paper and lunch for the year.
• Primary School Tuition and Board:  $350.00 (USD) Includes all of the above, plus boarding fees and three meals a day for the year.

Annual School Cost for one Secondary Student:

• Secondary 1 to Secondary 6 :  $210.00 (USD) Includes tuition, uniform with shoes and socks, paper, textbooks, examination fees, sports and technical training fees for three terms or one year.
• Secondary School Tuition and Board: $400.00 (USD) Includes all of the above plus boarding fees and three meals a day for the three terms.

School Costs Per Teacher:

Yearly Teacher Salary: $1320.00 (USD) This represents the average teacher salary for one year.  Teachers are paid approximately $110.00 (USD) per month.