frequently asked questions
1. Who is raise the roof academy (RTRA)?
RTRA advocates for children and community development one household at a time.
We develop high-quality education centers, provide community health programs, create income generating opportunities, and grow alongside local leaders. This multi-faceted, participatory approach builds local capacities and long-term relationships to create lasting, community-wide advancement, rather than a transactional supply of assistance.
2. Is rTRA a registered charity?
Yes, Raise the Roof Academy is an incorporated, registered, 501(c)(3) charity in the United States. EIN # 20-8231560
3. Who supports RTRA?
Our funding and in-kind support is generated by people from across the United States. We receive additional support from grant opportunities and corporate sponsors who are aligned with our mission and vision.
4. is rtra a religious organization?
Raise the Roof Academy is a Christian organization. We are a non-denominational, para-church organization (not affiliated with a particular denomination). We believe that age, gender, tribe, faith or history should not exclude you from access to opportunity, respecting that each person was created in the image of God.
5. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHERE TO WORK?
The foundation of Raise the Roof Academy is built on a partnership with the community of Bwasandeku, which has expanded to include more than 80 villages. We work in each community to expand access to education, health and hygiene resources, income generation, and community leadership.
We work in rural communities with high incidences of poverty and child labor. At Raise the Roof Academy, we believe that creating lasting change is not a one-person job; entire communities need to come together as one, to make a difference.
6. WHO IMPLEMENTS RAISE THE ROOF PROJECTS?
Raise the Roof Academy has a team of seasoned, knowledgeable partners that implement our programs in Uganda and the US. Regular monitoring and evaluations of the programs are completed by our staff and board. We are committed to hiring locally in Uganda to ensure the effectiveness of our programs and to build infrastructure within the region we operate.
7. HOW ARE DONATIONS DISTRIBUTED?
At Raise the Roof Academy we are dedicated to being good stewards of donations. All of the money you donate goes to the project you specify. General donations without a specified project equip Raise the Roof Academy to balance resources and fulfill our mission.
8. HOW MUCH MONEY GOES INTO PROJECTS?
100% of your donation will go to the project you specify. Staffing and administration is funded separately from project costs, in order to ensure that your donation is making the greatest impact.
We believe that full transparency is the key to success. We rely on an outside accounting firm to conduct an annual audit of Raise the Roof Academy. Furthermore, an all-volunteer Board of Directors oversees the work of Raise the Roof Academy, sets policies and procedures, and monitors our budget and expenses to ensure funds are spent wisely.
9. ARE THE COSTS FEATURED ON THIS WEBSITE THE EXACT COSTS FOR ALL PROJECTS?
All of the prices provided on this website, and in our materials, represent average costs in Uganda where Raise the Roof Academy works. These prices are meant to be used as a general guide for our donors who may choose to contribute to one or more components.
10. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A TAX RECEIPT?
As Raise the Roof Academy is a registered charitable organization, any donation of $10 or greater is tax deductible. Tax receipts are mailed at the beginning of each year. If you do not receive your receipt, please contact info@raisetheroofacademy.org
11. HOW CAN I SEE THE RESULTS OF MY CONTRIBUTIONS?
One of our core values at Raise the Roof Academy is “honoring every stakeholder” and, among other ways, we adhere to that value by being fully transparent. If you choose to donate to our international projects, you’ll receive our quarterly updates on the progress of the community you support.
These reports include:
Photos from the community you’re supporting
An update on all of the programs Raise the Roof Academy is implementing in that community (education, water/sanitation, health care, alternative income)
Stories about the direct beneficiaries of your donation and a preview of what our next priorities are in that region.
12. CAN I VISIT THE COUNTRY OR COMMUNITY I AM SPONSORING?
Yes! We welcome you to visit Uganda to meet the community and volunteer to help make each project a reality. To facilitate your visit, Raise the Roof Academy plans all trips to Uganda. During the visit, you’ll have a chance to connect with the community you’ve donated toward and even volunteer to implement the projects you’re helping to fund. We encourage you to visit our projects and experience for yourself the impact that your donation has.
13. HOW LONG AM I COMMITTED FOR?
One time donations: By engaging a community of donors to support a community overseas, we ensure all aspects of the program are implemented until the projects become self-sustaining. There is no obligation on your part to continue supporting a project.
Ongoing donations/sponsorship: Supporting a child or community on an ongoing basis by becoming a monthly/annual donor, or taking on a fundraising campaign, makes an incredible difference in many lives. We’re able to match you with a child or community you can support over the long-term, receive update letters and photos, and even make the trip to visit in-person. We encourage you to call or e-mail us to find out more about all the support, resources and benefits we offer to ongoing donors.
14. WHERE DO YOU WORK?
Raise the Roof Academy is located in the village of Bwasandeku in the Kalungu District of Uganda. While this is the location of our school, our programs reach far beyond Bwasandeku, extending to 83 villages across the Kalungu and Bukomansimbi Districts.
15. DO THE CHILDREN AT RAISE THE ROOF ACADEMY KNOW ENGLISH?
English is one of the national languages in Uganda, and is a required subject in school. Teachers at RTRA administer courses in both English and Luganda. Our students begin learning English in nursery school, and are typically proficient by the end of primary school.
16. WHAT IS A TYPICAL HOME LIKE IN RURAL UGANDA?
Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, wood and mud walls, and corrugated iron roofs or thatched roofs.
17. WHAT IS THE MAIN INDUSTRY IN UGANDA?
In Uganda, approximately 70-80 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture. In Bwasandeku, most of the community members are subsistence farmers, meaning that they typically only produce enough food to support themselves and their family members.
18. WHAT IS THE REGIONAL DIET?
The majority of families rely upon the following foods on a daily basis: rice, plantains, maize flour, beans, and groundnuts. Other plants that grow in the area include jackfruit, mangos, pineapple, and cassava.