 FOREWORD
Dear Friends of Ocer Campion, Greetings from Northern Uganda! Welcome to our first Ocer Campion News. It finally comes in the 9th year of our school, our 13th since 2006 when the Eastern Africa Jesuits committed to this project. At that time we said that it would be a long project! In fact, then there was nothing here but the dream. The long war was finally winding down, but the people were still living in displaced camps. The area and morale were much destroyed and literally even “dead.” Hence, the name “Ocer,” “He rose,” to show the people hope!
Our local Archbishop immediately welcomed our coming as “an answer to prayers.” The area member of Parliament quickly found a family to provide us 100 acres of land “for the future of our children.” Many of my long ago classmates at our Campion Jesuit school in Wisconsin started generously donating. And so many of you joined in; fellow Jesuits, relatives and friends, volunteers from other Jesuit schools in the US and Europe and donor organizations. When we dream together, the dream becomes reality!
Ocer Campion now has over 700 students, 7 Jesuits, over 70 lay faculty and staff, numerous buildings including the soon-to-open new library, a big farm, and national recognition for its success in academics but also in “providing holistic growth.” This year in May, we were selected to host a National Debate Tournament. This year we welcomed our first “advanced” (A) level students; the British system of pre-university.
However, our success is increasing the demand! Specifically, we urgently need another dormitory for girls, more science labs and classrooms, more playing fields and some faculty accommodations. We also always need more help so we can support the many disadvantaged children have this opportunity of an education!
Please, can you continue to help us? Already we’re seeing some of our first graduates now working as nurses, midwives, primary teachers, some in medical school and university. Several have come back and volunteered at Ocer. Know that you are often remembered in our Masses and prayers. Please pray for Ocer and may God richly bless you!
Fr. Tony Wach SJ
Director - Ocer Campion Jesuit College
|
|
|
Ocer Campion transforms lives, shines a light in the dark
Even after scoring a good first grade in the Ugandan national primary leaving examinations, Vincent Olweny was not assured of enrolling for secondary education. His mother, a sickly widow could not afford to pay for his education as she lacked a solid source of income.
In 2010, upon recommendation from Fr. Tony Wach, SJ, the director of Ocer Campion Jesuit College, the priest from Vincent’s parish reached out to his primary school looking for outstanding disadvantaged pupils for sponsorship. Vincent was among the pupils chosen to join Ocer’s sponsorship program. On that day, a bright light shone in Vincent’s life.
Vincent joined Ocer Campion in 2011, exactly one year after the school opened its doors with the aim of bringing hope and healing to the region that had been plagued by over two decades of civil war.
“In addition to tuition, they provided me with everything including beddings and scholastic materials, says Vincent. While everyone who was reporting to school had a suitcase and a mattress, for me I had nothing. In fact prior to reporting I had informed Fr. Tony that I have nothing. He told me to come as I am. When I reached school, he took me for shopping and bought for me all I needed.”
In 2016, Vincent finished his secondary education and was accepted at Gulu School of Clinical Medicine still under Ocer’s sponsorship. In two more years, he’ll graduate with a Diploma and can begin practice. However, this is not Vincent's goal; he’s still determined to study further to become a medical doctor, his dream since primary school.
Ocer is a place of transformation. Vincent attests to this vehemently. “There are things I never used to do, I never used to pray, I was not interested but all this changed. Ocer transformed me from zero to hero. I am so grateful." During his school holiday Vincent returned to Ocer for three months as a volunteer.
Every year Ocer receives so many sponsorship applications. Just like Vincent, they come from impoverished families and to most of them education, especially the quality of Ocer's, is a luxury. Currently Ocer is sponsoring 195 students, including a number of graduates in further studies, and the number will only increase.
With generous contributions from you, our friends and supporters, we have been able to touch and change lives like that of Vincent. Several of our girls are now certified midwives/nurses and are already helping themselves and others. We thank you so much, always pray for you and hope that you can continue.
|
|
Ocer Launches Advanced Secondary Education
In a short span of its history, Ocer Campion Jesuit College has envolved from a pre-secondary school to a fully-fledged high school.
Ocer students who wish to continue with their education after finishing Ordinary secondary Education can now afford a smile. This year the school launched Advanced Secondary Education- a British system which involves two more years required for university qualification.
Eight years ago, Ocer opened its doors with a population of 35 pupils in pre- secondary class. In 2011, the Ordinary Level started and in 2014 the school had its first candidates sit for the Ordinary level exams. Over the years, many of the candidates wished to return for Advanced Secondary education but the school lacked an A Level section.
This year the students’ wishes and prayers have been fulfilled. Ocer has started A Level classes with 32 students, 20 of whom are girls. The numbers would have been more than this but most of the students wanted to offer Science subjects yet currently the school offers only Art subjects. This is because the school does not have science laboratories for A Level students.
Unlike in other schools where students are confined to an already set curriculum, the A level students here at Ocer are privileged to receive fundamental Christian teachings from the Jesuits. In a lesson referred to as Contemporary Christian Living, students are educated on crucial topics such as human rights, justice, service, morality and Christian marriage. Students have been touched and transformed through these teachings. Innocent Okello doesn’t hide his delight to be back at Ocer where he had his Ordinary education. With a wide smile, he speaks with a lot of pride, “I had thought this lesson would be like Christian religious Education but no, it’s different, it’s about putting one’s faith in action,” he says. “From these teachings, I have learnt that I have to reach out to the poor and disadvantaged people in my community and that’s the Christian way of living,’’ says Innocent.
Fr. Tony Wach SJ, conducts a Christian living lecture to A level students
Science subjects will be offered as soon as we get well –equipped laboratories hopefully by 2019. Opening up of the Advanced Secondary education has also posed a shortage in accommodation for female students. We also hope by then that we’ll have built another girls’ dormitory as we have recently done for the boys.
|
|
|
|
A senior 4 student revising in preparation for a Math exam
Ocer, an Academic Giant
At the center of our work, Ocer strives for excellence. This is evident in the academic arena, every year Ocer has proven to be an academic giant not only at the regional level but also nationally.
Since 2014, Ocer continues to top Gulu district in Uganda Certificate Examinations (UCE). This outstanding performance also extends to the region where the schools enjoys a good track record at excelling in the national exams. In 2016, a survey carried out by Uganda National Examinations Board ranked Ocer in 10th position as one of the schools that offer holistic education. In last year’s (2017) UCE exams, Ocer was ranked 19th in Mathematics out of 2594 schools (countrywide).
At Ocer, academic excellence is central but also holistic development of the individual is accorded utmost attention.
|
|
Ocer hosts World School National Debate Championships
Group photo of 42 debate teams from 38 schools in Uganda
From 15th May -17th May 2018, Ocer was a hive of activity as it hosted the World School National Debate Competitions.
For the first time, Ocer and Northern Uganda in general hosted the national debate competitions with 42 teams from 38 schools from the all regions of the country.
For three days, different students from various schools went to war, only not with brawn, but with brain power. Ocer fronted three debate teams who displayed oratorical skills in the first round. All the three teams advanced to the octo (best 16 teams). Even though the teams did not go beyond the octo level, the students did not feel that they were losers. “We did not lose, we have learnt so much from this competition especially from the other teams. We are going to work hard such that next time, we perform better than this,’’ says Henry Odida, an A Level student.
Indeed it’s not about winning the competitions, it’s the lasting impression that debate makes to the participants that counts. In debating, one’s confidence is boosted, debate helps one to develop essential critical thinking skills and one also learns to think on their feet. All these attributes are so evident in our students who belong to the debate society. “I have learnt to speak in public. I used to fear to stand before a crowd but ever since I started debating, all this has changed. I am confident and I speak to anyone without any fear,” says Priscilla Piath, a senior two student.
Debate is one of the most thriving clubs in Ocer. Every Friday, students take part in inter-stream debate competitions which are later followed by Inter-house competitions. Outstanding debaters are given different awards to encourage other students to join the club and also to appreciate and motivate the students.
"I am happy to see that the Debate Club is doing well and making impact on our students, our students can now speak audibly and coherently,'' says Mr. Samuel Bwambale, the club patron. This year, Mr. Bwambale was named the patron of the year for Northern Uganda.
The school participates in various tournaments ranging from regional to continental competitions. After the National competitions, a team of three boys and the patron went to Rwanda for the East African Debate Competitions. Later this year, the school will take part in the African debate competitions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
