The Journey

Growing up in rural western Uganda, Fr. Bernard witnessed firsthand the struggles children face in accessing education. After becoming a priest, he was determined to make a difference.
He purchased land in Kasenene, a village in Kyegegwa District, one of Uganda's poorest regions, and began the school with makeshift wooden classrooms. The goal was clear: to build a low-cost, community school where even the poorest children could receive quality education close to home.

About the School

Cause of Our Joy Junior School - Kasenene is a nursery and primary school located in western Uganda. The school was established to provide accessible, affordable education for children in Kasenene and surrounding villages, where schools were previously more than 5 to 10 kilometers away.

The school serves children from nursery to primary level, and aims to offer more than just academics—it strives to be a nurturing space where children grow in character, faith, and confidence.

Our History

2021

School Founding

Cause of Our Joy Junior School was established on March 26, 2021 with 74 pupils (P.1 to P.4) in temporary wooden classrooms, with a vision to provide accessible and quality education to children in Kasenene and surrounding villages.

2022

Post-COVID Reopening

Following the pandemic-related closures, the school reopened on january 10, 2022, with 191 pupils. The strong return showed deep community trust and growing belief in the school's mission.

2023

Permanent Structures

Thanks to the generous support from Missio Austria, Bildungshilfe für Uganda Verein (Education Aid for Uganda Association) and Friends of Fr. Bernard, the school began constructing permanent classroom buildings to replace the original temporary wooden structures.

2025

Current Status

Today, Cause of Our Joy Junior School serves about 300 pupils from nursery to primary level. With ongoing support, we continue to expand and improve our facilities, moving steadily towards a fully permanent and well-equipped learning environment.

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Our Journey: From Makeshift to Permanent Structures

  • Our Story
    • When the school opened, learning took place in temporary wooden classrooms. But with unwavering determination, Fr. Bernard reached out for help during his studies at Vienna University. Through the support and generosity of Missio Austria, Bildungshilfe für Uganda Verein [Education Aid for Uganda association registered in Austria] and other friends of the school, we have been able to construct permanent classroom blocks.

    Witness the transformation from humble makeshift shelters to our new solid structures. While some classes still operate from temporary buildings, we remain hopeful and committed to fully transitioning to permanent infrastructure.
    View Our Gallery