Silver Spring, Maryland - The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Uganda has received a total of $2.4 million through ADRA's office in Denmark from the Danish International Development Agency to implement a rural education project in Karamoja, Uganda. The Karamoja Integrated Rural Education Project (KITENEP) started in October 2002 and is the first of its kind in the region.

The KITENEP is a three-year project that will renovate eight primary schools, construct one dormitory, 36 houses for teachers and staff, nine rain water systems, four demonstration gardens, three community centers, and 200 adult learning centers. In addition, 200 teachers will receive training.

"Education is one of our primary goals in the Karamoja district. ADRA is working to reduce the high levels of illiteracy, improve educational facilities, and provide access to clean drinking water," said Christian Rasmussen, country director for ADRA Uganda. "The KITENEP will help reach the government's goal of providing free education to all primary school age children in the country," Rasmussen continued.

According to ADRA Uganda, the illiteracy rate in Karamoja is 88.5 percent.

Providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity, ADRA is present in more than 120 countries.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.