Divine Mercy Academy, a distinguished private educational institution located in Fort Portal, is a beacon of hope for many students and the community it serves. Comprising a nursery, a primary school, and a remarkable secondary school, the academy has undergone a transformative journey since its inception in 2009.
Divine Mercy Secondary School (DMSS), the academy’s secondary school, started as a modest single classroom block with just 23 students. Over the years, it has experienced significant growth, with 2020 marking a turning point when it welcomed 350 students, including approximately 100 who lived on campus in makeshift housing. During this period, DMSS faced the challenge of supporting orphaned students and providing year-round housing. The school also made substantial investments in its infrastructure, developing gardens, achieving high testing outcomes, and offering a well-rounded Christian education experience.
Driven by a deep sense of purpose, the leadership of Divine Mercy Academy has worked tirelessly to expand the school safely. Their efforts have borne fruit as they introduced critical improvements, including:
- A spacious girls’ dormitory accommodating 490 students.
- Half of a boys’ dormitory, currently housing 360 students.
- Enhanced campus security measures, including the construction of a security wall and the establishment of a security officer station.
- Conversion of the kitchen from wood to stone to mitigate fire hazards.
- Improvements to the water source and the addition of fire extinguishers throughout the campus.
- Expanded scholarship offerings for students with promising learning potential.
These changes have expanded the school’s capacity to 850 students, thanks to a dedicated staff of outstanding educators and strong support from a parent-volunteer committee. Notably, the school now provides partial or full scholarships to 18% of its student body.
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Looking ahead, Divine Mercy Academy is on the brink of realizing its vision for safe expansion. To complete the boys’ dormitory and fulfill its capacity for an additional 200 students, the school requires an additional US$95,000. An extraordinary opportunity awaits, as a generous donor has offered a 2:1 match gift funding. By raising US$32,000, they will secure an additional $64,000 to reach their fundraising goal. This support will enable the school to safely complete the top floor of the boys’ dormitory and address the remaining safety needs across the campus.
Quote from Rev. Fr. Dr. Christopher Mukidi, the Director of Divine Mercy Schools: “Looking forward, we are so close to the finish line of our safe expansion efforts. We need another US$95,000 to complete the boys’ dormitory and to reach our capacity of adding another 200 students.”
Quote from Ms. Joanna Kasayuuni, Divine Mercy Schools Fundraising Associate: “A generous donor has offered a 2:1 match gift funding. If we can raise US$32,000, they will offer the $64,000 to achieve our fundraising goal. Your gift will allow us to safely complete the top floor of the boys’ dormitory and add the last remaining safety needs to the rest of our campus.”
The story of Divine Mercy Academy is not just one of growth, but also of the incredible impact it has had on the lives of its students. With the support of the community, donors, and dedicated educators, the academy continues to provide a beacon of hope for many, offering quality education and a brighter future.
