T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation targets a growing number of
The United Nations’
Sustainable Development Goals
Pictured: Kyojjomanyi Village
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted unanimously in 2015, are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all by the year 2030.
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals are pictured here.
Courtesy OSU Global
To date, St. Maria Gorretti school (SMG) and T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation have worked on the following Sustainable Development Goals.
#1
NO POVERTY
T.H.R.I.V.E. exists to lift individuals out of poverty starting with quality grade school learning and continuing through adult education.
#2
ZERO HUNGER
Saint Maria Gorretti school provides over seven hundred meals daily to both boarding and day students.
#3
GOOD HEALTH
& WELL-BEING
The children have been instructed in the importance of personal hygiene for their health, with frequent handwashing and thorough washing of all dishes practiced.
#4
QUALITY EDUCATION
This is manifested in the consistent, high-scoring academic performance of the graduates of St. Maria Gorretti.
#5
GENDER EQUALITY
Over half of the children in the school are girls. The provision of reusable menstrual pads for the girls in school means they do not miss class days during their periods, enabling them to advance in their academic pursuits. All the female graduates of the school have been able to go on to high school, in part via scholarships obtained by SMG’s leadership from regional high schools.
#6
CLEAN WATER & SANITATION
A successful borehole was drilled at the school that provides clean water through a distribution network built on the campus for delivery to multiple points of demand. Outdoor latrines have been renovated, and indoor bathrooms have been built at the school.
#8
DECENT WORK
& ECONOMIC
GROWTH
SMG trained a number of young men in the village how to make and subsequently install brick pavers.
INDUSTRY,
INNOVATION, & INFRASTRUCTURE
#9
A passive solar hot water heater supplies a laundry outfitted with modern equipment due to the extension of a power line to the school. Electrification of the school has been a game-changer.
#10
REDUCED INEQUITIES
T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation initiated an evening school program of adult education that provides instruction in reading and writing, primarily in English but also the local Lugandan language, for the illiterate subsistence farmers in the village.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
#17
T.H.R.I.V.E. Foundation aggressively seeks partnerships with organizations and agencies that can help both parties achieve their goals through collaborative efforts. The best example of this is the Foundation’s work with Wells of Life to bring fresh water to the school, and also provide menstrual pads for the girls.
We’re not done yet!
We know that one of the greatest needs is for more productive jobs. SDGs #1- No Poverty and #8- Decent Work and Economic Growth, if improved materially, will lead to #10- Reduced Inequities. The Foundation will strive to provide instruction in entrepreneurship and training in trades, as well as introduce financial lending circles, to improve the economic wellbeing of the villagers.
With an eye on improving the nutrition in the children’s diets, SMG and the Foundation intend to develop a farm that will also serve as a training ground in best agricultural practices for the local farmers. This effort will target SDGs #2- No Hunger, #3- Good Health and Well-being, #8- Decent Work and Economic Growth, #10- Reduced Inequities, and #12- Responsible Consumption and Production.
Although there is currently limited use of solar power on the campus, with some solar-powered lights and the solar hot water heater, the Foundation will strive to implement much more solar power production to operate the school and reduce dependence on unreliable, purchased power. This objective fits directly into SDGs #7- Affordable and Clean Energy, #9- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as well as #13- Climate Action.
We have many more of the Strategic Development Goals we intend to address over time.
Decent Work and Economic Growth, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Affordable and Clean Energy are just a few of the SDGs T.H.R.I.V.E. targets.