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Core Uganda is a non-profit organization that funds The Samaritan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti, Uganda. The school was founded by Father Alex Ojacor and his friends in 2006 to support the livelihood of vulnerable children in Uganda by providing basic education, skills, and support. Core Uganda and The Samaritan School have received ongoing support from the community of St. Leonard in Berwyn, IL and the friends of Fr. Alex. Currently, the school has 105 children and a full-time staff of four teachers, a matron, cook, and security guard.
In April 2020, Bill (Billy) O’Connell, a lifelong Berwyn resident and graduate of St. Leonard School, expressed his desire to Fr. Alex to volunteer in Uganda. With the most imminent need of a new middle school and additional dorms for the growing student population, Billy’s main focus in Uganda was to lead in the construction of an 8-classroom block that would ultimately accommodate 320 children. Billy purchased a one-way ticket to Uganda for September 21, 2021. He excitedly planned for this mission trip for months by speaking to the school staff daily and making new friends in Soroti. The school staff and children were prepared to welcome him with joy. Sadly, Bill was involved in a scooter accident days before his trip and succumbed to his injuries on September 24, 2021.
Even though Billy never made it to Uganda, his dream and memory will live on with the construction of the 8-block classroom middle school to be named in his memory as the “Bill O’Connell Memorial Block.”
The architectural drawings have been completed along with the budget. The estimated cost for the Bill O’Connell Memorial Block middle school will cost $60,000. The team both here and on the ground are working to have the middle school completed in less than 2 years. The O’Connell Family thoughtfully offered donations to Core Uganda, in lieu of flowers at Bill’s funeral services. The generosity was overwhelming with donations that totaled over $10,000. With these donations, the concrete blocks for the school’s foundation have already been made.
The Samaritan School Since has a 12-month school year reassuring their families that their student is safe, nourished and receiving an education that will allow them to grow and occupy prominent places in the society to serve and help others.
Two ways to donate to the “Bill O’Connell Memorial Block” middle school:
1. Online at GoFundMe
2. Check made out to:
Core Uganda
c/o Fr. Alex Ojacor
St. Leonard Church
3318 S. Clarence Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402
*100% of your donation will go to the construction of the “Bill O’Connell Memorial Block.”
Billy will always be remembered as a hero to The Samaritan Nursery and Primary School and will forever have a special place in their hearts. Even in death, Billy continues to make an impact to those who are most in need.
Please follow us for updates on Go Fund Me and Facebook under Core Uganda. God is Good!
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Core Uganda
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