At one Holy Cross school in the Province of East Africa, a powerful reminder on a photo guides their mission: “A Holy Cross Teacher understands that a school is a building that has, within its four walls, the power to change the world.” At St. Andrew’s Holy Cross Nursery and Primary School Jinja, Uganda, 15 dedicated teachers are living this out as they serve the school’s roughly 300 students.
Rev. Innocent Ahuniriza, C.S.C., explains the importance of their work, saying, “One of the causes of poverty in this region is lack of education and high level of early school dropouts.” At St. Andrew’s, teachers are working to address these challenges by providing students with consistent support, mentorship, and access to education. However, long commutes and harsh rainy seasons often created a barrier, making it difficult for teachers to arrive on time. To break this cycle, St. Andrew’s needed its teachers close by.
To address this need, the leadership of St. Andrew’s proposed a $5,500 renovation to the Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC). Thanks to the generous support of the Mary Jane DeLaney Endowment Fund, the school successfully renovated its on-campus staff quarters. With these improvements, the housing capacity increased from accommodating two teachers to four teachers. The project included renovations to the staff latrines and shower rooms, installation of a 3,000-liter rainwater harvesting tank, extension of the National City Water supply into the compound, and the addition of concrete ceilings in the rooms, bathrooms, and outside shaded areas. This investment aimed to eliminate the barrier of distance, ensuring educators could be constantly available to counsel and guide their students toward a brighter future.
Though the renovations are fresh, the transformation is already evident. Teachers report feeling much safer during early morning and late evening duties, sharing that the new quarters have made the entire teaching environment far more conducive to learning. Fr. Innocent has also noticed progress in the teachers’ time management and that their availability to the learners has been deeply strengthened.
When we think of a school’s “four walls,” we usually picture the classroom. But by reinforcing the walls of the staff quarters, St. Andrew’s has proven that supporting educators is the key to supporting students. With teachers now living safely just steps from their classrooms, mentorship has deepened, punctuality has improved, and the fight against illiteracy has gained new momentum. By investing in these homes, St. Andrew’s has ensured that its teachers can continue to reflect the love of Jesus Christ to their students, bringing to life a school’s true power to change the world.
Provided by Delila Baca, Holy Cross Mission Center Project Coordinator, June 2026.
