TLDR version: Help an amazing human I have known for 19 years achieve a lifelong dream of studying abroad!

Full Story: In 2006, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Uganda and I spent almost five months there, traveling the country, but for four of those months staying rather consistently in Kampala with the Tenywa family. My next door neighbor was an incredible soul - Charles, or Chaz to his family and friends.

Have you ever met a person and they just immediately stand out as someone special? That is Chaz. Kind, humble, helpful, caring, so so smart and incredibly driven, Chaz was 16 years old when we met and was starting 8th grade. Orphaned at a young age, Chaz lived with his grandmother who was having health issues and while Chaz was in school, he was trying to find odd jobs anywhere he could to both support his grandmother and his education. My host family clearly played a big role in his life in terms of stability and support, but when it came time for me to leave I knew that the bible study I was a part of back home could add in our help.

Over the next 6 months, my hometown bible study sent money to Chaz to help defray costs for his grandmother's health needs, his own, and school supplies. Chaz went into 9th grade while I started my senior year of college. A couple of months before graduation for me, I left the bible study and so Chaz and I came to an agreement: I would pay for his schooling and he would work to get straight As. Of course, he did.

In this process of international connection and community, Chaz became a part of what I consider my family. Despite only a few years in age difference, I would worry about, care for and celebrate Chaz like a son. And in turn, having another person to care deeply about him, pray for him and support him not just financially, but emotionally too, felt like a motherly presence for Chaz. Now that he's so grown up we don't say it as often, but Chaz is my first child! An older brother to Winnie and Ella - even though they've only ever video chatted over whatsapp.

Anyways, back to the school journey: During high school, I met via email one of his school teachers. What he shared with me next was very exciting - Chaz was exceeding all expectations at his school and if we could raise the funds, Chaz could go to the next level of school in Uganda and be a real, tangible step closer to having the chance to go to college. His teacher saw what I saw - Chaz was/is special.

At the time, only the top 10% of students were eligible to go to college in Uganda and have tuition fees be paid by the government to study certain fields. And in order to be in the top 10% you also had to be in one of the top 8 schools in the country. Chaz's new school was not in the top 8, but it was better than the school he currently attended. It was a boarding school and therefore more expensive, but I was working during grad school and it was without question going to be worth it.

Despite ongoing health issues (which after several clinic visits we finally figured out), Chaz did it - he rocked the whole year at his new school and then was referred - finally! To a top 8 school.

Chaz entered his junior year at one of the best boarding schools in the country and was on track for studying engineering should he test into the top 10% on his exams. And in 2012 he graduated high school and was one of 11 students out of 703 to be granted scholarship to study environmental engineering and management - I was and am so proud and in awe.

Well, you can imagine how it goes from there, Chaz went to Kyambogo University. He worked incredibly hard, made it through continued health struggles which eventually required surgery, but recovered, made friends, and made honors and graduated in 2016! Again, proud does not describe!

Chaz has worked for a few different non-government organizations (NGOs) over the years and been diligent as ever in his work, contributions to his country, and in caring for his grandmother. Her house fell on her, literally, two years ago and since then he has been putting money into rebuilding it for her. But a dream of attaining his master's never left him and now it's finally coming true! Chaz applied for and won a scholarship to attend The Swedish Institute through their Global Professionals program and study Applied Environmental Studies at a master's level for a year starting in August.

This is a dream come true for Chaz and as you can imagine the climate is rather different than Uganda. I wish I could say that the small stipend the program provides is enough to cover all of the expenses entailed. Chaz has paid deposits and for all of his documents to leave the country. But between what he saved and what my family can provide we are just covering the full cost of airfare. And unlike when he went to college, Chaz needs all of the funding for this educational opportunity up front. Anything you can do to help Chaz raise the rest of the funds he needs for boarding, weather-appropriate clothing and various household items to live comfortably there would be an incredible way to make a real difference in the life of someone truly awesome. We so appreciate your generosity and support of Chaz - he is a changemaker and a pure heart. Any money we raise will go directly to Chaz via Western Union and will support his studies. Any extra money we are able to raise that he does not need in Sweden will go to his grandmother in Uganda to support her while he is away and to continue repairing her home.

Thank you for considering and helping us make this dream come true!

Pictures:

1. Chaz and his grandmother, photo taken a couple years ago

2. A picture I took of Chaz back in 2006. He told me looking back at this photo that he had loved that shirt because it was the only shirt he had other than his school uniform that did not have any holes in it.

3. A picture of his grandmother's house after being rebuilt.

4. A picture of continued construction to try and improve her living space.

5. A picture from Chaz's college graduation, he is standing with his sister and grandmother.