In early January 2025, there was a real emergency – Kingsway’s kitchen collapsed! Thank goodness most students were away on break at the time.
You might not be too surprised if you know what this dilapidated structure looked like (above). When I (Lois Tverberg) first visited, I asked if they intended to replace it. They said no, but not because it was adequate. The structure came with the property and they were just making do for lack of funds. (This is how life is in Africa.)
It should be noted that this is a pretty basic structure, even by Ugandan standards. Cooking is done over an open fire so the building’s function is mainly to keep the rain off. The large gaps in the walls are to let smoke dissipate.
It has been clear that this structure’s days were numbered for quite a while. What caused its collapse? Termites had been eating away at the poles, and the metal roof was full of rust and had been damaged by tree limbs falling on it.
We were hoping to raise funds for a much nicer kitchen. But now they are forced to replace it quickly, before students arrive in a few weeks. They are already working on constructing something basic.
They have purchased poles and wood but they must still buy a new metal roof. They also must pay the builders. The total cost is estimated to be between $2000 and $3000.
Would you like to help them out?
