Matsiko’s volunteer effort gives birth to a thriving school

By Michael Ainomugisha

A common message from speakers at Uganda Christian University (UCU) commissioning ceremonies is that graduands should step into the world as job creators and not job seekers. The reason for this emphasis is the broader reality of more people looking for jobs than the opportunities available. In Uganda, official statistics indicate an unemployment rate of 12.3% among the working-age population.

For Ernest Matsiko, that call did not remain a ceremonial phrase, but a blueprint he walked with out of the gates of UCU after his graduation in October 2010.

“They told us, ‘We are not sending you into the world to look for jobs. Go out there and become job creators,’” Matsiko said. 

However, he kept asking himself: “How can I use what I have learned to create opportunities for others?” 

That question would eventually give birth to Children Alive Ministries (CALM), a community-centered initiative that has grown from a small volunteer effort into a thriving school shaping hundreds of young lives in Mukono district, central Uganda.

Matsiko’s journey traces back to his years at UCU, where he pursued a degree in child development and children’s ministry. He describes that season as more of a formation than just academic training.

“One thing I appreciate about UCU is that we were taught in a practical way. You go to the field, meet children, see what they are going through, and respond to it,” he says. 

That exposure sharpened Matsiko’s awareness of the realities many children faced, realities he later encountered again, in Mukono’s communities.

But beyond what his lecturers taught him, it was the rhythm of campus life that left a lasting imprint.

“At UCU, we had community worship. It was always time to meet God,” he said. “That has stayed with me; right now, we don’t do anything before prayer.”

Leadership, too, was not theoretical. Serving as a student leader in Nsibambi Hall brought him into close contact with university administrators and systems of responsibility.

“You get mentored by the university management and learn how to guide others,” he says. 

It is that mentorship that Matsiko believes has shaped the kind of leader he has become in the community.

After his graduation, Matsiko and his wife began modestly. Their first work was not a school but a simple act of service — volunteering in children’s church ministries around Mukono.

“We started just the two of us; we were teaching Sunday school, but we realized we needed more people. So we began training others,” he explains. 

That initial step of equipping teachers became the foundation of CALM. As they worked more closely with children, deeper needs emerged.

“We realized these children were coming from difficult situations because some were facing abuse, others were living in environments ridden with crime, and many lacked basic support,” Matsiko explains. 

The response was gradual: An after-school program followed, offering homework support, meals and mentorship.

“When children left school early, many had nowhere safe to go,” Matsiko narrates. “Some would roam the compound; others would struggle to find food. We wanted to create a place where they could be supported.”  

Through home visits and daily interaction, the magnitude of the challenge became clearer. Education had been interrupted by poverty, instability and lack of foundational learning.

“Some children were unable to read or write even in primary school because they had missed important stages,” Matsiko says.

In response, the program introduced targeted literacy support, including a small library. Progress was visible, but so was the limitation of reaching only a handful of children.

That realization led to a turning point.

“We asked ourselves, do we continue helping just a few, or do we create something bigger?” Matsiko recalls.

The answer came in 2018, when CALM Christian Primary School opened its doors with just 23 learners, many of whom could not yet read or write.

“We started with children who needed the most support and that was our focus from the beginning,” Matsiko says.

Years later, the school presented its first Primary Seven candidates for national examinations, the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), in 2025. “These are children who could not read or write when we started with them in kindergarten. Now they are competing nationally,” he adds.

Even in moments of success, Matsiko returns to the principles that shaped the school’s identity.

“It is not just about academics. We focus on spirituality, morals and emotional growth. That is what prepares a child for life,” he explains.

Like many institutions, the school faced significant disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet even in that period, adaptability became part of the story.

“We created home-based learning where teachers recorded lessons, and we shared them with families. For those without access, we went to communities and taught from there,” Matsiko explains.

Today, the school has grown to over 230 learners, reflecting its expanding reach and the trust it has built within the community.

“We are seeing more parents bringing their children. They are looking for an environment that supports both learning and character,” he says. 

The school plans to create more space, recruit more teachers and eventually extend the model to other districts. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.