ST. JOSEPH’S CONVENT – KAKIRA

Uganda

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BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY

Kakira Sub-County, Jinja District: A Brief Overview

Kakira is a small town situated approximately 12 kilometers from the city of Jinja, in the Eastern Region of Uganda. With a population of around 35,800 people, Kakira lies within the Kakira sub-county in Jinja District. The region is primarily known for its sugarcane plantations, and most residents work as daily wage labourers in the sugarcane fields.

Approximately 80% of the population in Kakira are migrants, hailing from Northern Uganda, Sudan, Congo, Kenya, and Rwanda. These migrant workers are accommodated in labour lines within the expansive sugarcane estate. Despite the land being fertile and suitable for diverse agriculture, it is predominantly used for monoculture sugarcane cultivation, leaving little room for subsistence farming or crop diversification.

Missionary Presence and Church Involvement

Thanks to the Mill Hill Missionaries, a 25-acre parcel of land was secured for the establishment and development of a Church. Responding to the spiritual and social needs of the area, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes were invited to serve in Kakira. On August 10, 2004, Sisters Janet Cutinah and Mary Madri, accompanied by their Provincial, Sr. Maria Goretti Martis, arrived at St. Theresa Catholic Parish. They were warmly welcomed by Fr. William Andrade, the parish priest and the parish community, who provided them with a modest, two-room old building to stay in until a proper convent could be built.

Despite the harsh conditions and limited resources, the sisters persevered with dedication and compassion, living a life of service and sacrifice. Their work in teaching and social outreach quickly made a positive impact on the local community, deepening their commitment to their mission. The congregation was warmly received by Bishop Willigers, the then-Bishop of the Diocese of Jinja, who welcomed the sisters with open arms into his diocese.

The main objective as a congregation is “Answering the needs of the milieu” through developmental work such as education, health, economic development of the poor, and the empowerment of women and the underprivileged. With this in mind, Sr. Janet offered her service in the Sub-Parish school as a bursar and Sr. Mary got in to the Nursery school run by Mrs. Eteru Teddy in the church premises. This experience helped the sisters gain valuable knowledge and become familiar with the culture and customs of the people of Kakira.

Meanwhile, after a year, Sr. Michael joined the sisters in the Kakira community. As they continued offering their services, the sisters decided to construct a convent on the 10-acre parish land that had been given to them for all developmental activities. We are deeply grateful to the supportive agencies who helped us build the convent.

On 27th September 2006, the new convent building was blessed and officially inaugurated in the presence of Sr. Maria Goretti Marties, Provincial Superior, and Bishop Willigers of the Diocese of Jinja.

The Apostolates of the Community

The Community has the following apostolates;

St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School
Pastoral Work
Social Work

EDUCATION MINISTRY

ST. JOSEPH’S NURSERRY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL – KAKIRA

The Growth of the Education Apostolate in Kakira

The Education apostolate in Kakira began to take root in 2004, when Sr. Mary Madri started teaching in a small nursery school run by St. Theresa Catholic Parish. Recognizing the need for quality early childhood education and with the support of the local community, the sisters launched their own school on May 17, 2008, under the name St. Joseph’s Nursery School, starting with 60 children. Sr. Mary Madri took on the role of headteacher, bringing dedication, creativity, and compassion to the role. The school quickly gained a reputation for its holistic approach to teaching and grooming children, and by 2010, the number of enrolled students had increased to 92.

Encouraged by the persistent requests from parents to expand into primary education, the sisters opened Primary One in 2012 with an initial enrollment of 43 pupils, under the leadership of Sr. Celestine D’Costa. Over the years, St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School has seen steady growth. The Nursery Section expanded to accommodate 200 children, and with each passing year, a new Primary Class was added to meet the needs of the growing student population. With the unwavering commitment of the dedicated sisters, along with a team of qualified teaching and non-teaching staff, St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School has continued to grow steadily and has earned a strong reputation in and around Kakira for its quality education and nurturing environment.

When Sr. Celestine D’Costa was transferred to the Bbuto community, Sr. Theresa Pinto assumed leadership of the school. During her tenure, she successfully completed the official registration process, and the school is now fully registered under the Ministry of Education of Uganda—a significant milestone in the institution’s development. In 2025, Sr. Theresa Pinto was transferred back to Bbuto, and leadership of the school was once again taken up by Sr. Celestine D’Costa, ensuring continuity in mission and vision.

As of now, St. Joseph’s School serves a vibrant student body with 205 children in the Nursery section and 384 children in the Primary section, continuing its mission of educating with love, discipline, and dedication.

Mission of the Sisters at St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School

To provide access to quality education for all categories of pupils, regardless of background.
To offer guidance and counselling to support pupils facing various challenges.
To help children grow in the values of the Gospel.
To nurture a love for self, others, and the natural world.
To build positive self-esteem and confidence in every learner.
To develop responsible and well-rounded citizens prepared to contribute positively to society.

Sisters in the teaching Apostolate

Sr. Celestine D’ Costa – Headteacher
Sr. Mary Madri – School Bursar
Sr. Nantale Caroline – Deputy Headteacher
Sr. Batabaruka Anita – Teaching in Nursery section
Sr. Tumuramye Christine teaching in Primary Section

SCHOOL MOTTO: “LIGHT THE FLAME OF KNOWLEDGE”

SCHOOL MISSION: “TO NURTURE GOD-FEARING, DISCIPLINED, AND SELF-RELIANT PUPILS THROUGH QUALITY EDUCATION”

SCHOOL VISION: “TO NURTURE GOD-GIVEN CHILDREN INTO MORALLY UPRIGHT, COURAGEOUS, AND HARDWORKING CITIZENS WHO LIVE IN UNITY AND STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE”

We believe that education is not merely about passing exams, but about forming the whole person – body, mind, and soul. At St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School, we, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes, play a vital role in guiding our pupils to grow in all aspects of life: spiritually, intellectually, morally, and emotionally.

The School is managed and supported by the SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF TARBES but it’s under the Diocese of Jinja

Achievements of St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School

Successfully constructed key infrastructure, including the nursery block, primary classroom blocks, and administration block.
Officially registered under the Ministry of Education for both nursery and primary levels.
Achieved 100% pass rate in UNEB examinations consistently since 2018.
Significant growth in student enrollment, reflecting trust and community support.
Pupils actively participate in organizing liturgical celebrations at both nursery and primary levels.
Former pupils are excelling in their academic journeys and are leading productive, value-based lives.

Values- Based Education:

At St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School, we believe that true education goes beyond academics. Our value-based education approach focuses on nurturing pupils who are not only knowledgeable but also morally grounded, spiritually aware, and socially responsible.

We instill Gospel values such as:

Faith in God
Respect and love for others
Integrity and honesty
Discipline and self-control
Responsibility and hard work
Compassion and service to others

Through classroom teaching, liturgical life, counseling, co-curricular activities, and daily interactions, we help form pupils who live by these values — preparing them not only for success in life, but also for a meaningful contribution to the Church and society.

Inclusive Education Practices

At St. Joseph’s Nursery and Primary School, we are committed to inclusive education, ensuring that every child—regardless of their background, ability, or challenges—has equal access to quality learning opportunities.

Our inclusive education practices include:

Welcoming all pupils, including those with special educational needs or disabilities.
Providing individualized support and guidance through counselling and tailored learning approaches.
Promoting a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment where diversity is valued and celebrated.
Encouraging peer support and cooperation to build a community of learners who help and respect one another.
Training teachers to adapt teaching methods and materials to meet varied learning needs.
Involving parents and caregivers in supporting their children’s education and wellbeing.

By embracing inclusion, we foster an environment where every learner can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.

Primary Block

Nursery Block

Sisters and Staff

Cultural Dance

Annual day activity

Games and Sports

Prayer Service

Play time for Nursery

PASTORAL APOSTOLATE

Community Involvement in Pastoral Work – Kakira Parish

We are very happy as a community to actively participate in the pastoral work of Kakira Parish. Our dedication and service are a reflection of our faith and love for the Church. Our areas of involvement include:

Daily Liturgy Animation: We regularly take part in animating the daily liturgy through singing, reading, and active participation.
Catechesis for Children: We help in preparing children to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Confession.
Family Visits: We reach out to families within the parish, offering prayer, encouragement, and support in their spiritual journey.
Missions with the Elderly: We engage with elderly members of the community, sharing moments of prayer, companionship, and pastoral care.
Sunday Sub-Parish Masses: We join the faithful in various sub-parishes every Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist together.
Participation in Diocesan Activities: We actively take part in events and initiatives organized by the diocese, strengthening our unity with the broader Church.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and grow in faith through these pastoral engagements.

Animation Liturgy

Catechism Children Performing

Catechism Classes

First Holy Communion & Confirmation

Elderly Peoples Gathering

Family Visit

Recollection in the Diocese

Welcoming Bishop

SOCIAL WORK APOSTOLATE

We, the sisters at Kakira, are actively involved in social work apostolate through the following initiatives:

AVSI Program: Supporting children through education, care, and development.
Self-Help Groups: Promoting saving and financial empowerment for both women and men.
Skills Training: Offering vocational and life skills to help individuals become self-reliant.

Shortly after the arrival of the sisters in Kakira, the then parish priest, Fr. William Andrade, who had been managing the AVSI programme alongside his pastoral duties, found it increasingly difficult to continue due to the demands of his ministry. Recognizing the importance of the work and the need for dedicated leadership, he entrusted the programme to the sisters.

From 2004, with the continued support of AVSI, Sr. Janet took on the responsibility of caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) from Kakira Centre and its surrounding sub-centers. The project began with 50 children, who were provided with educational support and basic care.

Over the years, the programme grew steadily. By 2010, the number of AVSI-supported children had increased to 92, a testament to the trust placed in the sisters and their effective management. The success of the project was also due to the financial accountability maintained by the sisters—a key concern for AVSI and its Distant Support Programme, which funded much of the initiative.

Between 2008 and 2010, additional support came from another organization, USAID, which supplemented the existing efforts by funding education and care for 117 more children. This brought the total number of children supported during this period to 209.

In 2010, Sr. Janet was transferred, and Sr. Lincy Augustine was appointed as the animator of the community. Under her leadership, the social work continued with the same dedication, maintaining the 92 AVSI-sponsored and 117 USAID-supported children in the programme.

However, as time went on, Sr. Lincy observed that while the children were receiving an education, there was little meaningful change in the overall lives of the children and their families. Realizing that deeper transformation was needed, she began to explore ways to support not just the children, but their families as well.

In 2010, short courses such as the Adult Literacy Programme, tailoring, cooking, and hairdressing training were launched, aimed particularly at empowering women in the community. Sr. Mary took on the responsibility of teaching women to read and write, while Sr. Lincy led awareness sessions on health, family life, and social development. This holistic approach marked a significant shift-from charity to community empowerment. At present, Sr. Vani continues to serve as a social worker, dedicated to fulfilling all the necessary responsibilities and supporting the ongoing initiatives.

The program which had begun in 2004 under the guidance of Sr. Janet Cutina, who was a pioneer in working with AVSI to help the local community benefit from ongoing support. Her tireless efforts planted a seed that has since grown into a strong and vibrant initiative.

In 2018, this program was officially registered under the Jinja District as a Community-Based Organization (CBO) known as Children of St. Joseph. It operates primarily within Kakira Town Council and is recognized under registration number Sr. No. 473 by the Department of Community-Based Services, Jinja District Local Government. The organization continues to work as an implementing partner with AVSI Foundation Uganda.

Additional Support Provided by AVSI (Beyond Education):

Awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Education on social evils and their impact on children and families.
Health improvement initiatives for children.
Life skills training for both children and families.
Parenting and child protection awareness programs for parents.
Adult literacy programs.

Tarbes Social Self-help group

The Tarbes Saving Scheme for Development is a grassroots initiative founded in 2011 by Sr. Lincy Augustine. It was established to bring together women with a shared vision for saving and improving their households. Since its inception, the scheme has grown significantly and now supports over 800 active members.

Key activities of the scheme include:

Weekly savings contributions, with a minimum of 500 Ugandan shillings per member
Mobilizing women to engage in discussions on development and economic empowerment
Promoting access to quality education for children
Enhancing family living standards
Encouraging and empowering women to acquire land and build their own homes

Skills Training

Every December, the beneficiaries of AVSI will receive life skills training in areas such as:

Liquid soap making
Baking
Rosary and table mat making
Bookbinding

Beneficiaries of AVSI – DSP

Self – Help Groups

Life Skills Sessions