Education for A bright future
Merriam Project is located in Kisoro, Western Uganda. It was formed to provide education to the needy. Education for a bright future.
Our History
History
The Merriam Project Community School developed from an orphanage that started in 2008 when Diane Zanuzoski, a tourist from Mexico, first came to Uganda. So moved by the number of poor and needy children in the area, she created a program called Kisoro Orphans’ Care.
Diane bought land in Kisoro to build an orphanage, engaging Arthur Niyongabo to run it. But in 2012, Arthur died, and the orphanage failed. However, the buildings remained. In 2016, after receiving his university degree in economics, Laban Niyongabo, brother to Arthur, contacted Diane asking her to donate the land for a different use, but one still in line with her initial vision: serving the poor, orphaned, and needy.
We realized how expensive it was to have kids attend only Saturday school and then support them in everyday school, so we opted to have all of them at Merriam’s Project Community school
Because of Diane’s generosity, the Merriam Project Community School began in 2016 as a Saturday school where kids would meet to play games, share a meal, and receive some basic education taught by a few teachers. This was not economically sustainable to have kids attend only Saturday school and then support them in everyday school. Instead, the focus shifted to creating Merriam’s Project Community School, where 77 students now attend school Monday through Saturday, with the majority of those boarding at the school, too.
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Holistic Education
Holistic education emphasizes academic achievement, community engagement, and problem-solving for everyday challenges.
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Inclusive Education
Inclusive education allows for girls and boys equal access to learning while also allowing the neediest to obtain an education regardless of their ability to pay.
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Quality Education
Quality education focuses on primary level examination preparedness, environmental education, health and wellness education, and critical thinking skills.
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We can add more things
We can add more things if you like
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Performance Reviews
We will work with you to create a personalised plan to help you achieve your financial goals.
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Financial Planning
We will work with you to create a personalised plan to help you achieve your financial goals.
Our Mission
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide holistic, inclusive, and quality education to needy and vulnerable children in our community. We are committed to nurturing their academic, social, and emotional growth, while instilling values of integrity, resilience, and compassion. Guided by our motto, “Education for a Brighter Future,” we strive to empower every child with the knowledge and skills necessary to break the cycle of poverty and create a better tomorrow.
Quality education focuses on primary level examination preparedness, environmental education, health and wellness education, and critical thinking skills.Support our school and help kids to a brighter future!
Holistic education emphasizes academic gains, community engagement, and solution generation for everyday challenges.
Inclusive education allows for girls and boys equal access to learning while also allowing the neediest to obtain an education regardless of ability to pay.
Come and experience what we are doing to improve the lives of people
Experience and learn more
50+
Families supported
100+
Volunteers engaged
24
Community initiatives
6
Outreach programs
★★★★★
Testimonial : I have worked with this group and have seen the fantastic work they do with their kids and would heartily recommend anyone to help with this worthy project.
Terry Hopkins
/
Dunedin, Florida USA
Frequently Asked Questions
We can Add stuff in here too…like what the area is like…etc.
Yes, we offer a free trial period of 14 days..
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, we offer a free trial period of 14 days. During this period, you will have full access to all of our features and services.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, we offer a free trial period of 14 days. During this period, you will have full access to all of our features and services.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, we offer a free trial period of 14 days. During this period, you will have full access to all of our features and services.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, we offer a free trial period of 14 days. During this period, you will have full access to all of our features and services.
More About Us
School Overview
We have 10 classrooms from nursery (ages 2-4) to Primary Seven (ages 12-16), which is the highest class. After P7, students test to see if they can matriculate to secondary school. If they pass the national exam, they can continue their education. If not, their education ends.
2024-25 Statistics
- 80 students: 37 female, 43 male
- 64 boarding students
- 16 day students
The majority of the students board at the school and stay in dormitories. The girls’ dormitory is housed inside the school grounds, where a teacher/matron stays with them. Because there is not enough room in the school premises, the boys’ dormitory is housed near the school in a rented house where two male teachers stay and supervise them.
Our typical week at school looks like this:
Each Friday afternoon, our students conduct a formal debate. One example is the following topic: Plants are better than animals. If you ever visit the school, it is truly worth experiencing!
On Saturdays, while there are chores to do and laundry to wash, there is guaranteed to be a soccer match on the local community pitch! As of June 2025, the school received soccer balls and soccer jerseys, which the school uses with great pride! Before this, students played with balls constructed out of plastic bags tied together.
Every Sunday, students attend a church of their faith. The rest of the day is for rest, play, and study.
Merriam Project Uganda
Merriam Project is located in Kisoro, Western Uganda. It was formed to provide education to the needy—education for a bright future.