Bringing Bright Futures to Lira Town College—Join Me
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I’ve been given the opportunity to volunteer for a full term at Lira Town College, a public secondary school for kids 12 to 18 in the heart of the city of Lira in Northern Uganda starting May 12, 2025.
Those of you who know me well know parts of my story. When I graduated high school, I said I wanted to teach high school. My mom laughed—she knew how much I hated that school. Throughout college, I made myself available to tutor. There’s no better way to study than to prepare to teach someone else. During graduate school, I mentored several students and volunteered as a high school tutor after hours. I later taught at Dublin School as a full-time teacher and on-campus dorm parent. I also taught 8th grade and high school in public schools in southern New Hampshire for three years.
Through all of this, it became clear to me that the problem wasn’t the schools or the teachers—it was the culture we’ve come to accept. Apathy has become tolerable. Among students, teachers, and even parents. But during my short visit to Lira Town College in 2023, I saw something different. I saw a vibrance in the students that was inspiring. Near impeccable discipline that allowed space for instruction, engagement, and real thought. This was in crowded classrooms that most Americans would call a civil rights violation. But these Ugandan students aren’t playing the victim. What they are doing—while no one is watching—is truly remarkable. We can learn and grow through knowing these children, and their families.
After introductions in a Calculus class, I tested their understanding with fundamental differentiation and integration questions. Every student who answered nailed it. Then I randomly asked one student a units based question: “If I integrate velocity over time, what are the units of the answer?” Without hesitation: “Distance.” There are 2,600 students at Lira Town College. I don’t know them all, but I do know something special is happening there—and I want to be part of it. I believe we should want to be a part of it.
I’ve always believed that studying physics and chemistry is, at minimum, a way to test the logical functioning of the brain. These subjects are mathematical models of ideas. I’ve dreamed of having a focused, committed group of students working toward the competitive goal of understanding. I believe that possibility exists at Lira.
As Americans, we might speak one of the most boring versions of English, but we also speak the most universally understood. I often struggle to understand folks from Ireland, England, Australia, or Belize when they speak English, but they almost always understand me. There’s value in being understood. Educated Ugandans have a strong command of English, and when the accent is thick, I often have to request clarification. My wife, who speaks with a beautiful Ugandan accent, is easily understood by Americans. Each Ugandan also speaks their tribal language, English is the national language for reasons of utility.
I’m 47 years old. I remember the images on television of abducted children and terror in Northern Uganda. I cried for those kids. Now they’re grown. Now they have children. I believe we should know each other. I believe we should love each other.
I’m not asking for the kind of money it would take to “save” a 2,600-student boarding school in Uganda. I believe if I can be there, I can help prepare these students to enter the world economy. For example, in the U.S., online math tutoring pays at least $15 an hour. In Uganda, $200 a month is a living wage. Ugandans are happy, patient, thoughtful, and fun. Call centers and customer service jobs could thrive there. Tourism hasn’t taken off in Lira, partly because language barriers leave visitors feeling isolated—even though we all technically speak the same language.
I believe we can start something with staying power—something that won’t need endless financial support. But I can’t get it off the ground without help.
I’m committed to teaching at Lira Town College under the direction of Headmaster Levi Abongo from May 12 through August 20. In our conversations, he’s been welcoming and clearly excited about our partnership. He is deeply committed to his students and has told me just how much support they need. If I cannot reach the funding goals to make it for this term, I will strive to go for the third term.
I hope some of you will join me in this mission to elevate Lira Town College graduates and help bring them into the global conversation.
Uganda is home to precious rainforest and endangered wildlife. Leaving the Ugandan people out of the conversation about protecting that land is a big part of why conservation efforts have failed. If we don’t come together soon, it may be too late.
I’m lucky to have a supportive wife, Queen Dorothy Amolo, from the Oyam District in Northern Uganda. We have two small children here in America, and she’ll be staying with them while I go. Lira is less than an hour from her home district. I’m committed to showing up at Lira Town College every day and updating a social media page regularly to share our journey.
If you can support this effort, I’d be truly grateful. For this trip to be possible, I need to raise a minimum of $8,000. This is the money needed to cover my travel expenses and housing. If additional funds are raised, it would alleviate stress from my wonderful wife. If it raises more than $12,000, all additional funds will be used to improve the wellbeing of the Lira Town College children an I will ensure full transparency. I hope that anyone who donates is excited to be part of this effort. Whether it’s writing to the students or even visiting someday, there are many ways to get involved. We also hope to build a local BMX pump track and dirt jumps for 20” wheel bikes. The Skate Uganda project has already been a big success—this could be next.
Sincerely,
Jason M. Boyle, PhD Chemist
Organizer
Jason Boyle
Organizer
Seneca, SC