ND-8 is a University of Notre Dame student club dedicated to education, advocacy and action on the United Nations’ eight Millennium Development Goals.

Press Release

University of Notre Dame students involved in ND-8, a student club dedicated to education, advocacy and action on the United Nations’ eight Millennium Development Goals, have raised $35,000 for the Building Tomorrow organization to fund the construction of a primary school in the Wakiso district of Uganda that will serve 350 children.

The fund-raising project began in April of last year when George Srour, founder of Building Tomorrow, spoke at Notre Dame. Inspired by that visit, and the opportunity to give a gift that could impact generations of Ugandans, the group initiated various creative fundraisers and educational campaigns throughout the year, including a symbolic brick sale and a “Bike to Uganda” event in which students and faculty raised money from sponsors as they pedaled the distance from Notre Dame to Uganda.

Notre Dame’s connection to the school will not end with this fund-raising campaign. Jenna Knapp and Robbie Bernardin, undergraduate members of ND-8, will be working as interns with Building Tomorrow in Uganda this summer, supported by funds from the University’s Kellogg Institute. A group of Notre Dame architecture students will work to personalize the design of the school building to ensure maximum benefit for the children and teachers, as well as to make it energy efficient.

After the school is built, ND-8 plans to hold drives for school supplies, shoes and other items for the children, as well as to create a pen pal program between the Ugandan school and Notre Dame. The children also will be provided with blue and gold uniforms.

Founded in 2006, ND-8 is mentored by staff of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns and supported by the Kroc Institute, the Ford Family Program, and the Student Activities Office of the University.

Source: University of Notre Dame