Otuke – Okere City in Otuke District, North Eastern Uganda, is home to hundreds of school-going children who face significant challenges in their pursuit of education, particularly due to the lack of reliable lighting.
Ageno Rwot Flavia, a 13-year-old Primary Six pupil at Okere Community School, dreams of becoming a pilot. However, studying under the dim and smoky light of a kerosene lamp, locally known as tadooba, makes her journey difficult.
“Okere City is off the grid. We do not have electricity at home, so we use tadooba, but they produce a lot of smoke that makes my eyes hurt. I don’t complain to my father because I know how hard he works to provide for us, so I just endure,” she shared.
Beyond disrupting her studies, Ageno fears the long-term health risks associated with prolonged exposure to smoke from kerosene lamps.
In response, Stanbic Bank has stepped in with a transformative initiative, donating 220 solar-powered school bags to pupils in Okere. These innovative bags serve as both a safe storage option for school materials and a sustainable light source for night-time study.
This UGX 20 million initiative falls under Stanbic Bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme and aligns with activities leading up to International Women’s Day on March 8.
Diana Ondoga, Head of Corporate Social Investment at Stanbic Bank, underscored the impact of the donation: “These solar-powered bags not only help students protect their books but also provide a sustainable energy source for studying at night. This is part of our commitment to empowering communities and driving sustainable growth.”
The donation reflects Stanbic Bank’s purpose—Uganda is our home; we drive her growth—and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Beyond solar-powered bags, the bank also donated 200 packs of reusable sanitary towels to support menstrual hygiene and keep girls in school.
“Research shows that many young girls drop out due to a lack of basic necessities like sanitary pads. As a bank committed to supporting women, youth, and farmers, we believe that providing these essential items will enable young girls to stay in school and pursue their dreams,” Ondoga added.
Ojok Okello, the founder of the Okere City initiative, lauded Stanbic Bank for its philanthropic efforts, emphasizing the transformative impact on the local community.
“This initiative from Stanbic Bank gives hope to families in Okere City, strengthening our advocacy for change and sustainable development,” Okello said.
Okere City itself is pioneering holistic urban development, focusing on sustainable living, real estate, and community well-being. When the initiative began, the area’s illiteracy rate stood at 72%. However, with interventions such as Okere Community School, there has been a significant decline.
“We started the community school in 2019 with just a nursery section, a handful of learners, and two teachers. Shortly after, the Covid-19 lockdown forced us to close until 2022. By then, we had expanded to include a primary section. In 2023, our first Primary Seven class had 17 candidates, with the best scoring 18 aggregates. In 2024, we had 18 candidates, most passing in second division and the rest in third. Our goal for this year is to finally secure a first-division pass,” Okello explained.
With Stanbic Bank’s latest donation, the school leadership believes they are moving closer to that milestone. The school now boasts a growing enrollment of over 350 pupils in both the nursery and primary sections.
Stanbic Bank’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond education. Over the years, the bank has actively contributed to improving maternal healthcare across Uganda. Through partnerships with organizations under the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood, Stanbic has invested over UGX 3 billion to enhance healthcare facilities, positively impacting thousands of lives.