Unverified non-profit organisation

Raise the Roof Academy (RTRA) began operations on March 7th, 2011, in greater Masaka, Uganda. It’s a registered indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with NGO file number MIA/NB/2019/09/3003 and Permit number INDP0003003NB serving the grass root community. Originally serving just 30 children, RTRA has grown exponentially in scope and impact, now serving over 1,500 students and working with 728 households across three districts: Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, and Masaka. Our work is grounded in creating sustainable, long-term change by addressing not only educational needs but also health and economic challenges within the communities we serve.

a) Mission Statement
We advocate for children and community development one household at a time.

b) Vision Statement
To see generations of empowered children lead community change and share their passions with the world.

c) What we do
We develop high-quality education centers, provide community health programs, create income generating opportunities, and grow alongside local leaders. This multi-faceted, participatory approach builds local capacities and long-term relationships to create lasting, community-wide advancement, rather than a transactional supply of assistance.

d) What we are committed to
To educating the whole student by building relationships and education centers that cultivate a culture of learning and offer God’s love through empowerment opportunities.

e) What Guides us
i. Relationship Building
We believe the key to lasting success is to foster strong relationships that build trust and confidence. We seek relationships with each other, with God, and creation

ii. The Ripple Effect
The knowledge, skills, and confidence acquired through community-wide engagement has the ability to lead change for generations to come.

iii. Listen and Learn
We are built by and for the community in which we operate; 100% of our operational staff are Ugandan nationals.

iv. Poverty Isn’t Material
We aim to combat common misconceptions surrounding poverty by telling stories that highlight initiative, resilience, and achievement. We take into consideration the historical context and contemporary challenges faced by our community.

v. Team based
We share the goal of collective success, which can only be accomplished through teamwork and collaboration.

vi. Everyone is a participant
We believe that age, gender, tribe, faith or history should not exclude you from access to opportunity. Everyone should have a seat at the table.

vii. Promote Passions
We believe that age, gender, tribe, faith or history should not exclude you from access to opportunity. Everyone should have a seat at the table.

viii. Exit strategies are essential
Our programs are designed to strengthen individual and communal capacities to encourage growth that leads to economic self-sufficiency.

f) Where we serve:
We are currently serving in three districts of greater Masaka region. These are.
Kalungu
Bukomansimbi
Masaka

C. RTRA Core Programs
We operate within three core program areas. These are Education, Health and Household Empowerment And Development (HEAD).

i. Education:
Raise the Roof Academy operates a primary and high school, offering comprehensive educational services to children from low-income and marginalized communities. The primary school students are taught the required subjects by the ministry of education and provided with a solid foundation in literacy, numeracy, and life skills, while the secondary school students, on top of the curriculum subjects required by ministry of education we also offer them vocational training, and leadership opportunities. Currently, over 1,500 students are enrolled across both programs, receiving education, mentorship, and psychosocial support. In this total number of students, we also have students that we support in 49 schools found in the region. These students do not come to either Raise the Roof primary school or Raise the roof high school.
Our educational programs go beyond academics, incorporating extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts, and community service, aimed at holistic development. We also provide scholarships like sports scholarships to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent any child from accessing quality education. A dedicated team of over 123 Ugandan staff, including teachers and support personnel, work tirelessly to deliver an engaging and safe learning environment.

Education Core Program Impact Highlights:
Over 1500 students educated annually in either of schools and other external schools in the region.
Over 180 students are enrolled in our canter for social enterprise
Our focus is on underprivileged children, with a 20% increase in student enrolment since 2020.
95% of students from our primary school successfully transition to higher education or vocational training.
95% of our students at both primary and high school pass so well the national examinations with good grades which puts all of them on a better competitive advantage.
Our schools have excelled in the co curricular activities most especially sports and this has increased the fame of the schools in the region.

ii. Health:
At Raise the Roof Academy, we understand that education cannot thrive without addressing the health needs of students and their families. Our Health Initiative offers regular medical check-ups, treatment, and health education to both students and the broader community. Through partnerships with local healthcare providers, we provide essential health services that address malnutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention.
RTRA also engages in community-wide health awareness campaigns, focusing on preventative health measures such as clean water access, sanitation, and Hygiene. In collaboration with our community health workers (CHWs), we have successfully lowered school absenteeism caused by preventable diseases and improved overall health outcomes for families that we work with.

Health Core Program Impact Highlights:
Over 728 households benefit from health services annually.
95% reduction in student absenteeism due to preventable diseases.
Provision of health education to all students in both primary and secondary school.
The clinic health facility that provides routine care and emergency medical services to both students, staff and community members.

iii. Household Empowerment And Development (HEAD):
Raise the Roof Academy’s HEAD Initiative is focused on equipping families and communities with the skills and resources they need to break the cycle of poverty. Through provision of impact gifts, trainings in financial empowerment lessons and small enterprise development, we empower households to generate income and create food security. We work with over 850 households across Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, and Masaka districts, offering capacity-building workshops and resources to help families become economically self-sufficient.
This initiative too oversees the child sponsorship component in RTRA. Through centre leadership committees and churches, vulnerable children are identified for sponsorship and their profiles are created so that a sponsor can be identified. This process is done following a well laid criteria so that the right candidates for sponsorship are identified.
In addition to economic empowerment and child sponsorship, RTRA promotes environmental stewardship. Our programs emphasize the importance of sustainable farming practices, reforestation efforts, and water conservation. By addressing both economic and environmental core areas, we create resilient communities capable of thriving in the face of social and environmental challenges.

Household Empowerment And Development (HEAD) Core Program Impact Highlights:
Over 1,000 students have sponsors which enables them to keep in school
Through the sponsorship program, students can get basic school requirements like uniforms which enables them to be smart while in school.
Over 1500 animals (Pigs, Goats and Cows) have been distributed to different household as impact gifts in a span of 10 years. All these are intended to uplift the economic status of the homes.
60% increase in household incomes through income-generating projects such as pig farming and financial literacy trainings
Launched a tree planting program in the high school and over 500 trees were planted in 2022.

D. Our Catchment area and Community Impact
Raise the Roof Academy serves rural communities in three districts of Greater Masaka: Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, and Masaka. In our 13 years of existence, we have built a network of support systems that extend far beyond the classroom. By addressing not just educational gaps but also health, food security, and economic empowerment, we create a holistic approach to rural development. This multifaceted approach allows us to foster long-term change within the communities we serve, positively impacting over 728 households.
Our work is heavily reliant on building partnerships with local and international stakeholders. We collaborate with local government entities, community leaders, health providers, and international donors to maximize our impact and ensure the sustainability of our programs. Through these partnerships, we ensure that the resources invested lead to meaningful and lasting change in the communities we support.

E. Staff and Leadership
Raise the Roof Academy is led by a team of passionate Ugandan educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders who are committed to improving lives through education and community development. Our staff of over 123 Ugandan professionals includes teachers, social workers, counsellors, healthcare workers, and administrative staff, all of whom are dedicated to carrying out our mission. Most of our staff come from rural areas in the different districts of Uganda and are well equipped with the relevant knowledge of the challenges that face rural communities which are what we are addressing through the different interventions we are implementing.

F. Goals and Objectives for Funding
As we continue to grow, Raise the Roof Academy is seeking funding to expand and enhance our impact. The key objectives for future funding are:

i. Expand Educational Facilities: To accommodate the growing number of students, we aim to build additional classrooms, dormitories, and resource centers, providing students with better learning environments and access to technological resources.

ii. Health and Sanitation Projects: We seek to establish improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities at our schools and in the surrounding communities to promote better health outcomes.

iii. Scale Up Household Empowerment And Development (HEAD) Projects: To further support economic empowerment, we plan to introduce more vocational training programs and extend sustainable farming practices to more households.

iv. Scholarships and Bursaries: Funding will be used to provide scholarships to underprivileged children, ensuring they can access quality education despite financial constraints.

G. Conclusion
Raise the Roof Academy has made significant strides in empowering rural communities through education, health, and Household Empowerment And Development (HEAD) initiatives. With over 1,500 students, 728 households, and 123 staff members, we are positioned to create even more transformative change. Your support will enable us to expand our reach, improve our facilities, and enhance the lives of countless children and families across Greater Masaka.
We are excited about the future and believe that, with your partnership, we can continue to build a thriving community where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead.

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