By Marin Clapper
On April 9, 2022, Ocer Campion Jesuit College in Gulu, Uganda, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the newly constructed Fr. James Strzok, SJ, Science Hall. With the help of USAID/American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) and the American people, as well as a partnership with Midwest Jesuits, a FY18 grant of $553,789 was awarded to build the A-level science building that will further science education for the bright youth in Gulu and its surrounding areas.
This grant from USAID/ASHA follows a previous FY17 grant of $500,000 for an A-level girls’ dorm, which celebrated its grand opening in June 2021. The dormitory now houses 300 girls.
The Honorable Denis Hamson Obua represented the minister of education. Hon. Obua expressed his gratitude for the great donation to the school and urged students to be disciplined, committed, and trusting in God, as that is the basis of success. Most Reverend John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu, also attended the ribbon-cutting and called on students to concentrate and work hard on their studies.
Ocer Campion Jesuit College was cofounded by Fr. Tony Wach, SJ, a Midwest Jesuit and alumnus of Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and opened its doors in 2010 following a post-civil war recovery initiative in northern Uganda. Ocer Campion is a private Catholic boarding school founded and operated by the Eastern Africa Province of the Society of Jesus. The school offers quality education to both boys and girls from different religious affiliations with the mission to promote progress through learning, loving, and serving. This mission aims to mold Ocer Campion students to become ethical, principled, and responsible leaders.