Project trip to Uganda 2022

Sep. 2022

Spendenaktion schenken

In July 2022, Kristian Bollmann travelled to Uganda to inspect the most recent measures at the PATRIZIA School Buyamba and to intensify personal contacts. With the Bishop and other representatives of the Diocese of Masaka, he discussed the future partnership and possibilities for further projects in the region.

Meeting with the partner Masaka Diocese

As the pandemic has only allowed very limited personal meetings and site visits in the last two years, a personal visit was all the more important. The aim was also to renew the partnership with Masaka Diocese and the school secretariat, which includes PATRIZIA School Buyamba. With the help of the partner ADEPT e.V., which coordinated the implementation of the current measures in Buyamba with the school secretariat of the diocese, this direct relationship could now be re-established. An intensive exchange about future cooperation took place with the responsible persons of the diocese of Masaka.

Spielende Kinder der PATRIZIA School Buyamba
Das Gebäude der PATRIZIA School Buyamba

Visit to PATRIZIA School Buyamba (St. Francis)

Like so many schools, the PATRIZIA School Buyamba had to be closed for almost two years due to the pandemic. The children were all the more delighted to be able to return to the renovated school. The new classroom block with two additional classrooms was completed in record time. The new toilet facility is nearing completion. All measures were financed with funds from the Corona Fund, the Sweet Greets campaigns and the PATRIZIA Foundation’s Hiking Challenge.

In comparison with other schools in the region, Kristian Bollmann realised that the measures have brought PATRIZIA School Buyamba back to a very good standard. As a result, a good foundation for the school education of more than 620 children could be secured.

A “business game” as an example of child-centred teaching

A special highlight was the “Business Game” developed by Roman Dengler (ADEPT e.V). The game is designed to teach how to deal with money in a playful way. The pupils of classes 6 and 7 of the PATRIZIA School Buyamba were enthusiastic and had a lot of fun. The teachers followed this contemporary way of teaching with great interest. In the future, teachers will be trained as trainers to further educate other teachers in child-centred teaching.

Visiting other schools

The local education authority presented four more schools for which PATRIZIA Foundation funding is being sought. All schools are secondary schools and located around Masaka. The schools are to be developed under the Model Schools Integrated Programme (MSIP). The basic idea is that knowledge and skills from different professional fields can already be learned in secondary schools. One school specialises in one field at a time and the students rotate from school to school. Since all these schools are in poor condition, Kristian Bollmann sees a clear need for action here. First, a concept for development and cooperation is to be created.

Eine Klasse in der PATRIZIA School Buyamba
Lehrer der PATRIZIA School Buyamba und die

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A Musical Programme with Lasting Impact

Young musicians from the MiSST programme welcomed guest with an opening performance.

Throughout the evening, the students further captivated guests with their performances, including Adoration by Florence Price and selected pieces from The Phantom of the Opera.  

An Evening of Shared Vision and Personal Stories

In his welcoming speech, founder Wolfgang Egger talked about the importance of investing in young people and creating opportunities that allow them to thrive — academically, personally and socially. Ambassador Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber delivered a passionate speech on the importance of protecting arts education in the UK, particularly at a time when music and creative subjects continue to face significant cuts within the school system. He spoke movingly about the responsibility to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to creativity, culture and music education.

Chairwoman of the Board Astrid Gabler, together with Board Member James Muir, reflected on their recent visit to one of the programme’s partner schools. James shared how deeply a passionate music teacher had influenced him during his own school years and how this experience continues to shape his belief in the importance of the support in education infrastructure. 

Rachel Landon, CEO MiSST, brought the programme vividly to life through inspiring footage and powerful stories from participating students, offering guests a meaningful glimpse into the daily impact of the initiative.

 

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came from Rain Spiegel-Johnson, a former participant of the programme, who shared her personal story and reflected on the impact music education has had on her life. Growing up in a low-income household, opportunities to take part in extracurricular arts education were often out of reach, leaving her feeling excluded from experiences many others could access. Through MiSST, however, she discovered a creativity and confidence that had long remained hidden.

Speaking about her experience, she described music not only as a form of artistic expression, but also as a powerful sense of belonging:

“Through music, I discovered not only artistry, but the profound feeling of being part of an ensemble so unified, disciplined and unwaveringly beautiful.”

She also emphasized the broader importance of the programme, calling MiSST “an outstanding microcosm for the future of music and the arts in this country.”

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and our Ambassador, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, for the “Thrive Cubed with Music” evening in support of music education in the UK — and for your shared commitment to creating new opportunities for young people through the power of music!

PATRIZIA Music Programme

With the PATRIZIA Music Programme, the PATRIZIA Foundation continues its commitment to educational support and equal opportunities across Europe. The programme was established to provide children and young people from disadvantaged communities in the United Kingdom with access to high-quality music education and to open new pathways for their personal and academic development. In partnership with MiSST, the programme supports schools in Morecambe and Manchester by providing classical musical instruments, professional music tuition and regular performance opportunities. Over the course of three years, the PATRIZIA Foundation is funding 300 instruments, creating long-term access to cultural education and helping young people build brighter futures through the transformative power of music.

PATRIZIA Music Programme