Christ School Bundibugyo

 WHM has been involved in ministry in Bundibugyo since 1986. However, it was not until 1999 that they opened Christ School Bundibugyo, after seeing a crucial need to develop leaders in the community by providing an excellent academic education founded in the Christian faith.

Started by Kevin & JD Bartkovich of Durham, NC, CSB opened its doors March 1, 1999 with 50 students enrolled. Unfortunately, the untimely events of the ADF rebellion occurred simultaneously and the school had to shut its doors two weeks later on March 15. The first several years definitely proved to be a rocky start for the school, as the WHM women and children frequently were evacuating to Fort Portal or staying there for extended lengths of time due to the civil unrest in the area. Because of all the rebel fighting, this was when Nyahuka experienced its greatest population swell, from originally being a town of several thousand to suddenly housing over 25,000! You can imagine the strain this put on those attempting to bring civil academic leadership to the area.

Kevin & JD Bartkovich, the original founders of Christ School Bundibugyo

CSB endured though, despite fighting, corruption, cultural expectations, miscommunications, and many other trials of various kinds. Through sweat and tears the team pressed on, eventually receiving governmental recognition as an O-level (ordinary level) & A-level (advanced level) school in the area. From the beginning they also brought in the concept of working together on a team. Kevin lead the boys soccer team, which experienced its own trials as they developed good sportsmanship amongst themselves and other teams in the area. In the last several years, girls teams have been added as well, and actually went to state competition! The magnitude of this achievement can not be overstated as it brought much confidence and pride to all of Bundibugyo!

The Bartkovich's stayed on with CSB until 2008, at which point I believe (??) leadership was handed over to Ugandans. This is where details here become fuzzy for me, but I know the next several years were rocky ones, which could be expected for such a significant transition. Additionally, there was major transition that was taking place on the WHM team as well. Two other long-term families (Myrhes & Masso's) were expanding our WHM presence across Africa to Kenya in the East and South Sudan in the North. Because of the rocky transition at CSB, our current team leader, Travis Johnson, took over headmastership at the school during his first year in Bundi (2010). Thankfully, though, God has provided the extremely gifted and Gospel-minded leader Edward Isingoma to take over headmastership, which he did the beginning of this year.  Additionally, Michael and Lesley Stevens joined the team in January 2012, and Michael serves as director of Spiritual Development (not sure if that is "official" title). He assists Edward and oversees the spiritual mentorship of teachers at CSB, the chapel services, and small groups (as well as a plethora of other things, I am sure...).

 Leaders of CSB!

 Edward Isingoma (current headmaster), Kevin Bartkovich (founding headmaster), Travis Johnson (interim headmaster) during a reunion in July 2011

 Michael Stevens

The philosophy at CSB has always been that "...in order for education to truly address root causes of problems in society, it must be accompanied by changes in belief. As national leaders with a Christian worldview emerge, they will know best how to approach specific issues in their own communities. Only the gospel has the power to radically change students’ hearts and communities. To that end, our students are challenged spiritually through weekly chapel meetings, Sunday on-campus worship services, and teacher-led discipleship meetings. While not all of our students are professing Christians, Christ School is a safe environment for all students to explore and learn about the Christian faith. We have seen numerous conversions as well as significant spiritual growth in our believing students."


And that is what CSB precisely has done! Now with 340 enrolled, students are encouraged to view their education as a privilege, not an entitlement, and the staff works to impart a vision for service to family, village, district, and country. During their 4–6 years at school, many have the opportunity to be mentored in servant leadership roles, and explore their unique strengths and gifts.

 What a blessing and pillar of strength Christ School is in the Bundibugyo District of Uganda! In conclusion, I wanted to end with some reflections that JD Bartkovich provided for us on their initial years serving in Bundibugyo. I am so thankful for their sacrifice, and am daily reminded of the faithfulness of our God and His provision to us.

"...There was no 'easy year.'  Every year in Bundibugyo brought its own unexpected plot twist.  Would we do it all over again?  In a heartbeat.  God is real and was powerfully real to us there. Our years in Bundibugyo laid a heavy foundation of faith and experience that continues to serve us, challenge us, inspire us and overpower us.  Bundibugyo remains deeply embedded in our hearts, and for our older children it remains home and the best possible place to live.

It was easy to hear the call to come to Bundibugyo.  It was challenging but affirming to hear the call to stay week after week even when life spiraled out of control or unexpected challenges left us wrung out.  The call to leave Bundibugyo was much, much harder to obey."

**In order to read personal stories from CSB students, click on the links below:

Kansiime Christine's story
Kuhle Isaiah's story
Nyangoma Agnes's & Kansiime Asumini's story