The Kafunjo Community Project

It was 8 years ago that I first met Bruno.

Our paths first crossed in Kabale, Uganda. I was on a journey to visit the mountain gorillas of the Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest and Bruno was a passionate local tour guide down on his luck.

Jonathan Stark, Bruno Biryomumaisho and his Fiance, Irene.


My resounding impression of Bruno was that he was a special kind of guy. Respected and loved by all around him, his compassion for others, his focus and energy and his passionate interest in wildlife.

I kept up to date with his progress as he began his mission to teach over 220 children from the village of Kafunjo in Ibanda Province, Uganda.  

First these lessons took place beneath the shade of a tree as there was a total lack of educational infrastructure in the village at the time. 

Later the classes moved into the local church which they were soon evicted from as they were unable to afford the rental costs that were demanded.

Bruno and some of  the children of Kafunjo.

Bruno then reached out to me to ask if I could assist by setting up this Gofundme campaign.

Since that time we have been able to raise over £6,000 which not only has built the new school but has also paid a basic salary to each of the 6 members of staff and fed each and every child one nutritious meal each and every day.

We have installed a water harvesting system on the roof of the school, purchased mosquito nets and medication for the children and a GRIFAID Aquafilter to ensure that the community of Kafunjo can have access to clean water.


Some classes still take place outside due to a shortage of classrooms

UPDATE: 20/01/17

The main school building is structurally complete and we are in the latter stages of completing 3 additional small classrooms. In addition to this we have constructed basic toilet facilities and a kitchen so we can provide the children with a nutritous bowl of "Posho and Beans" every day. 

Bruno standing by the new classrooms.

I personally have now visited the school on 2 seperate occasions, one in January 2016 and one in November 2016. Each of these trips allowed me to witness the work being tirelessly undertaken by Bruno to develop the project further and I was truly impressed by what he has been able to achieve with our support.

In November 2015 we decided to use some of the donations to purchase a 2 hectare plot of land a few minutes walk from the school which we hope to use to secure long term finacial sustainability of the project. Our aim is to plant out 1.5 hectares with eucalyptus saplings that can later be harvested for timber that can then be sold to the construction industry. We believe that this initiative will ensure that the Kafunjo Community Project could be financially independant in a 5 - 8 year period. The remaining 0.5 hectares will be used to grow a variety of nutritious vegetables, to supplement the daily diet of the children who attend the school.

Bruno on the newly purchased land.

Now I have seen the project first hand it is hard to look the other way. I've witnessed the hope that has been brought to this poverty stricken village with my own eyes thanks to Bruno and The Kafunjo Community Project.

It is an honour to be involved with this incredible initiative and I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider supporting.

Thank you.