Former St. Kizito Student Makes an Important Donation in Gratitude

We received wonderful news today from Chris, who is our St. Kizito Administrator in Uganda! He shared that St. Kizito received a much-needed donation of 50 chairs for our library. First, let me begin by telling you a little about the St. Kizito library. It is a two-room library that St. Kizito students, as well as members of the nearby community, use. Students cannot take books home from school. Rather, staff collects them at the end of each day. If a student wishes to study or read, he or she must visit the library. Students walk, sometimes for miles to go to the library. A St. Kizito board member that visited Uganda this past summer was struck at how quiet the library was – full of students, all deeply engaged in their studies. He also noted that the library had no staff monitor to maintain the silence. The 50 chairs will be a welcome sight at the St. Kizito library, making trips to the library not only enjoyable but more comfortable too!

The St. Kizito Foundation is grateful to Sharon Ocwee Opio for her generosity. Sharon is a former beneficiary of St. Kizito for five years, from 2003 to 2008.

Sharon studied at Gulu Senior Secondary School from 2003 to 2006. After, she studied for her Advanced Level Certificate, Senior 5 and 6, at Sacred Heart Secondary School. St. Kizito Foundation provided the funds for her schooling during these five years.

After completing her secondary education, Sharon went on to study at Gulu University, where she received a degree in Public Administration and Management. She went to Gulu University under a different scholarship institution. Sharon later completed post-graduate studies at Uganda Management Institute. She also holds a certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Sharon is married to David Opio and has two children. She works with the Justice and Peace department of the Gulu Archdiocese. Sharon is involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement. She has a great love for children, and she has currently “adopted” a child that she sponsors in primary school. Education is important to Sharon, and she credits St. Kizito’s supporting hand for playing a significant part in what she has accomplished. It is because of this conviction that she felt prompted to help so that other children can also have a promising future.

Thank you, Sharon! Your generosity and kindness are sincerely appreciated – and you are making a difference!