About the project

Save Starlight School sits at the heart of our Bitcoin Circular Economy in Uganda.

By moving daily operations onto Bitcoin and Lightning, we are showing how open-source money can keep classrooms open, improve infrastructure, and lift an entire community toward financial freedom.

Now, we need your help to keep running starlight and purchase the school to improve its infrastructure.

Starlight Elementary Nursery & Primary School (SLES) is at the heart of Uganda’s Orphans of Uganda community, serving children from Busolo, Buwuni, and Bugiri Districts. The school is struggling to keep its doors open due to financial challenges, which stem from the inability to meet modifications requested by the inspectors. This has resulted in the risk of closure. Urgent needs include more classrooms, qualified teachers, adequate furniture, improved sanitation facilities, and better educational materials.

We’ve been working tirelessly since March 2024 to keep Starlight School open through Bitcoin donations. With a detailed plan, we’re addressing the requirements set by authorities to ensure the children can continue their education. Our goal is to buy the property, renovate and expand the school, provide essential educational materials, and supply three meals a day for both students and teachers.

Since July 2023, inspired by the Bitcoin Beach experiment in El Salvador, Brindon Mwine has led the Bitcoin Kampala project in Uganda, with assistance from Praia Bitcoin in Brazil. By helping the orphans of Uganda to interact with Bitcoin, we’re transforming the community and improving the lives of those who have been forgotten, utilizing Bitcoin as a peaceful, transformative tool.

What 1.47 BTC has accomplished
• Built four brand‑new bathrooms and began installing advanced sanitation systems.
• Purchased 80 sturdy desks and chairs, ending floor‑sitting forever.
• Paid teacher salaries entirely in bitcoin, and hired ten additional educators and support staff.
• Provide three nutritious meals every day through the Sats for Protein and Fruits for Sats programs.
• Launched liquid soap‑making training so children gain practical, income‑generating skills.
• Spotlighted on Forbes: Refugees In Uganda Turn To Bitcoin Due To National ID Restrictions

Execution Summary

Short-term Objectives: Keep the school open, finalize property acquisition, recruit teachers, and improve infrastructure.

Long-term Goals:
- Ensure the school is self-sufficient, scaling up our educational and community programs.
- Fund a purpose‑built campus "Satsville" that can serve better the students, run on solar energy and feature science labs and a library.
- Convert today’s buildings into a community production centre making soap, reusable hygiene products and other goods that create local income.

Immediate Actions (0-3 Months): Finalize the property acquisition, recruit teachers, and begin construction of sanitation facilities.
Short-term Actions (3-6 Months): Build additional classrooms, launch educational programs, and start the grocery store for the orphanage.
Medium-term Actions (6-12 Months): Continue enhancing infrastructure, expand nutritional programs, and evaluate progress.
Long-term Actions (1-2 Years): Ensure sustainability, scale community projects, and secure additional funding for future expansions.

Budget We aim to raise at least 2 BTC to address the following:

Property Acquisition: Finalize ownership of the school property.
Teacher Recruitment: Pay the salaries in BTC of 10 qualified teachers.
Educational Resources and Meals: Provide students with necessary materials and daily nutrition.