Ian Taylor said that thanks to generous donations last summer in support of the Ugandan school project, which had a fundraising target of E70,000, about E55,000 has been raised so far.
"We are on track to complete the school by the end of March 2
009," he said.
The plan is to build two blocks of four classrooms each (These will also double-up as multi-purpose community buildings).
"This is a Ugandan Government aided school and the support of teachers, principal, PTA, curricula etc. is already in place, ensuring this investment will be fully utilised."
The school has first to fifth classes in session (about 180 pupils), and next year they will start a sixth.
Mr. Taylor said that Uganda, like many sub Saharan African countries, is a country that has been ravaged by AIDS and poverty, with the average age of death being 39.5. 17 per cent of the population are HIV positive, only 38 per cent of children complete primary school and the annual average wage is approximately n1,300 per person.
In May of last year, Taylor became the youngest Irish man and the first Kildare man to stand and top of the world.
The 29-year-old and his climbing partner, Graham Kinch (29), completed ten weeks of climbing
While Kinch was forced to turn around due to injury, Taylor, a native of Leixlip, went on to reach the summit (8850m) at 12:02am Irish time on Friday 23rd May.
He was congratulated by Kildare County Councillors at their monthly meeting but said he had another mountain to climb, a fundraising one for the Ugandan school.
The two set themselves the target of climbing four mountains on four continents in one year in aid of the Irish charity, Fields of Life. They planned to raise E85,000, or n1 for every foot they climbed during the year.
After his return, Mr. Taylor, who made a presentation to Leixlip Town Council during the year, said he wanted to complete the second part of this challenge in raising the funds for the Kitandwe School Project.
There are three ways that donations can be made: by electronic funds transfer to account number 42792240, sort code 93-33-92; by sending a cheque made payable to Fields of Life No 2 Account, to Everest Project, Fields of Life, Tree Tops, Brides Glen Road Shankill, Dublin 18 or by clicking the appropriate link on www.mycharity.ie.
