How it all began...
In 2004, Heike Rabus met Maria Prean, founder of the aid organization Vision for Africa, and was instantly captivated by her personality, her love, and her passion for Africa. Heike was deeply moved by how one individual can make a powerful difference in the world—and how people from two very different cultures can enrich and support one another.
In 2007, Heike Rabus traveled to Uganda for the first time. She was inspired by the beauty of the country and the joy and warmth of its people. Very quickly, the desire grew within her to build a bridge between people in Africa and Europe.
After several visits and the development of close friendships, the first student exchange between Lörrach and Kampala took place in 2016.
From then on, things moved quickly…
First Steps
- A return visit by the Ugandan students took place
- June 2017 – the first piece of land was purchased
- February 2018 – the Namataba e.V. association was founded in Germany, along with its Ugandan counterpart, Namataba – Close the Gap
- Easter 2018 – the second exchange took place, this time with twice as many students
- During this visit, a well was built
- The association launched its own website
- Autumn 2018 – the first trip with adult participants took place, during which a water source was created for the people in and around Namataba
- Agriculture on the land began to grow, with sweet potatoes, vanilla, maize, and beans being cultivated
Sponsoring & Expansion
- Early 2019 – initial designs for a school building are developed
- May 2019 – members of both associations meet in Germany as part of the student exchange program
- The first sponsored children receive support
- Additional land with three fish ponds is purchased
Lockdown in Uganda
- February 2020 – the first volunteers arrive in Namataba
- March to October 2020 – Uganda enters a full lockdown, and the airport is closed. From Namataba, food is distributed to neighboring communities.
- The planned exchange cannot take place.
- Nevertheless, 500 donated trees are planted in the surrounding area.
- End of 2020 – parts of the grassland are purchased.
Groundbreaking
- Pentecost 2021 – another lockdown in Uganda
- The planned groundbreaking ceremony for the school has to be postponed again
- August 30, 2021 – the first groundbreaking for the school finally takes place
- The construction site provides jobs for many young men and women
Growth & Development
- Team Uganda conducts research in the surrounding area to identify children in need of support to attend school
- The first animal sponsorships are launched
- The school building is completed
- The school farm grows to include 2 cows, 16 pigs, and 40 chickens
- Crops are cultivated to supply the school with food
- The school’s educational profile is developed
- School uniforms are sewn by local women from the community
School opening
- The school opened its doors to 130 students.
- Another 100 children are on the waiting list, hoping for sponsors …
Next Steps
The expansion of infrastructure and other key projects—such as teacher housing and classroom equipment—are currently in planning.