Help Atwine Go To College!
Donation protected
Hello Everyone,
I'm Harry Sasnowitz,
and I'd like to share a story of love, compassion and relationship.
It all started in early 2007 when I decided to sponsor an 8 year old Ugandan child through Compassion International named Atwine Kiiza Peter (short for Atwine Peterson).
My monthly support would help to pay for his educational expenses, medical costs and other tangible needs. There was also the opportunity to communicate through letters, and we both took advantage of this! I recall writing letters to him and receiving responses whereby he'd briefly share about life with his Mom and brothers in Uganda, along with his experiences with Compassion International. He would also include a drawing every now and then... usually a picture of something from home that was dear to him.
My sponsorship ended late in 2012, and I thought that my season with Atwine had ended. But we live in a small world, folks! Early this year, I received a Facebook friend request from none other than Atwine Kiiza Peter! I immediately recognized the name and accepted the request, and we've been communicating ever since. He has now graduated high school! I'm so proud of the young man he has become, and excited about the bright future that God has in store for him.
Recently, I was so excited to receive a message from Atwine about him being accepted into Kampala International University's Bachelor of Arts in Social Administration and Social Work program! This is a dream come true for Atwine, as he already has a clear vision of what he wants to do in the future (read his story below for more info on this).
However, it costs money to go to college in Uganda, just like anywhere else. Although his Mom said she can take out a loan each semester for his tuition fee, he has no money for food and accomodations.
The hostels (places that provide room and food at the university) allow students to stay for a 4-6 week grace period without payment. However, if the grace period ends and the student still hasn't paid, they must leave.
Atwine has asked me to help. Truthfully, I cannot meet this need on my own. But I know that together, we all can!
His tuition is 1,340,600 Ugandan shillings per semester (the equivelent of about $420 per semester). The program is for 6 semesters (3 years) for a total of $2520. I would like to raise this money so his Mom does not have to carry the burden of a loan.
His room and food would be 950,000 Ugandan shillings per semester (the equivelent of about $265). Over 6 semesters, the total would be $1590.00. I would like for us to raise this money for him, too.
I would also like to raise $100 additional per semester for Atwine to use for unforeseen expenses, and just to have some basic personal spending money while at school: over 6 semesters, this would amount to a total of $600.
Finally, there's also some nominal processing/website costs involved in doing this fundraiser, amounting to about $150
This comes to a total fundraising goal of $4860. Money will be disbursed in 6 equal installments of $765 (already factors in processing costs) at the beginning of each semester.
I look forward to us blessing this young man with the money he needs for tuition, to stay at the hostel and to complete his education.
Friends, I'm simply asking that you would consider giving a financial gift of any amount toward Atwine's schooling. I assure you that your financial gift will be sown into good ground!
Below, I am sharing Atwine's story in his own words.
Let's do this, folks!!
Atwine's story, from Atwine Peterson:
I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Am by name of Atwine Peterson. I was born in the district of Kabale in Uganda. Am the last born in a family of five boys. We have been all raised by a single mother since 2005 after our father disappeared. My father was a Reverand and a lecturer at Bishop Baram University college a branch of Uganda Christian University.
After my father disappeared life started getting more tough. By then we used to stay in houses of the workers of the university but since dad had disappeared we were given some months to leave their house. But before our father disappeared he had bought a piece of land and he had started building it but still on the floor level. So some of the family friends contributed some money to us. Mum used that money to pay for us school fees and she even tried to put that money in building the house. Time reached and we had to leave university houses and went to our house, we entered the house when it was still half built and mum kept on building it slowly but by God's grace mum has managed to build it though even now it hasn't got complete but at least now it is a house not a half house like back in those days. By that time mum didn't have a job but by God's grace she went for an interview of getting a job as a midwife in Rutooma health centre four in Kabale Uganda. She is still a mid wife at that health centre with not more than three years to retire.
Some period after dad had disappeared, the Reverand who was the Sub-Dean of St Peters Catheral Rugarama church registered my name with those who were to join Rugarama child development centre under compassion international where I got to know much about God since most of the activities were Godly for example bible study,devotion,praise and worship session. We used to learn some skills like baking, making beads ,carpentry and some others. I also learnt how to handle the needy because we would be handled as if we pay for the services.... the project could give us things to use at home for example hoes, blankets, buckets and some others gave us scholastic materials. Money also contributed on the school fees i paid in my primary and high school under the sponsorship of my friend Mr Harold Sasnowitz. Through that project i was able to know that even though my earthly father disappeared, i have a big Father in heaven that will never let me down which took away my worries.
By God's grace starting from my senior three I have been able to study under some bursaries (because of the talent of playing football) in different high schools,
Some schools i paid a quarter and others a half of the school fees which also contributed to my finishing well without dropping out of school. I was admitted at Kampala International University where i want to study Bachelor of social administration where the tuition for this course is 1,640,600 shillings but the university gave us a bursary of 300,000 shillings so am supposed to pay 1,340, 600 shillings which my mother promised me that she will be getting a loan worth that money per semester since she will still be on the government pay roll.. But my mother cannot afford money to pay for hostels which is 950, 000 shillings per semester..So any help will be appreciated because I really want to study this course at the university.
I want to study this course so that after getting a degree I also start helping other needy people in my community especially orphans and street kids. After graduation my plans are to seek aid from the government or ask for foreign aid and start a project that takes care of street children and the needy children that are passing through difficult life because most of the owners of some orphanages in my area didn't experience bad life which lead them to bad handling of the street kids that lead them to go back to street life. And if i fail to get the aid ,i have to look for a job in such projects as long as they deal in helping the needy.
Up to now am still surprised of the heart you people have because the greatest thing i used to do to Harry was to write to him only but in return i would be supported in my education, my life was improved and other good things as i had mentioned before. This forced me to reach out to him to see if he can help me since he is the only one i know that side. I thank you all for your helping hearts you have.. In my place even your relative can see you suffering but cannot help but for you, you help us even when you dont know us.. Thank you for the kind hearts MAY THE THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY.
Update: It is now August of 2019 and Atwine has completed three semesters!! I've added attachments below which show grades; thus far, he is a strong "C" student which is actually good considering his educational and socio-economic background. He has also completed his first internship, which is required for students once they've completed their first year. I'm hoping to raise an additional $2295 needed to hit our goal and help him complete the program so he can receive his Bachelor of Arts.
And I expected this: He's still playing soccer; second from left to right!
I'm Harry Sasnowitz,
and I'd like to share a story of love, compassion and relationship.
It all started in early 2007 when I decided to sponsor an 8 year old Ugandan child through Compassion International named Atwine Kiiza Peter (short for Atwine Peterson).
My monthly support would help to pay for his educational expenses, medical costs and other tangible needs. There was also the opportunity to communicate through letters, and we both took advantage of this! I recall writing letters to him and receiving responses whereby he'd briefly share about life with his Mom and brothers in Uganda, along with his experiences with Compassion International. He would also include a drawing every now and then... usually a picture of something from home that was dear to him.
My sponsorship ended late in 2012, and I thought that my season with Atwine had ended. But we live in a small world, folks! Early this year, I received a Facebook friend request from none other than Atwine Kiiza Peter! I immediately recognized the name and accepted the request, and we've been communicating ever since. He has now graduated high school! I'm so proud of the young man he has become, and excited about the bright future that God has in store for him.
Recently, I was so excited to receive a message from Atwine about him being accepted into Kampala International University's Bachelor of Arts in Social Administration and Social Work program! This is a dream come true for Atwine, as he already has a clear vision of what he wants to do in the future (read his story below for more info on this).
However, it costs money to go to college in Uganda, just like anywhere else. Although his Mom said she can take out a loan each semester for his tuition fee, he has no money for food and accomodations.
The hostels (places that provide room and food at the university) allow students to stay for a 4-6 week grace period without payment. However, if the grace period ends and the student still hasn't paid, they must leave.
Atwine has asked me to help. Truthfully, I cannot meet this need on my own. But I know that together, we all can!
His tuition is 1,340,600 Ugandan shillings per semester (the equivelent of about $420 per semester). The program is for 6 semesters (3 years) for a total of $2520. I would like to raise this money so his Mom does not have to carry the burden of a loan.
His room and food would be 950,000 Ugandan shillings per semester (the equivelent of about $265). Over 6 semesters, the total would be $1590.00. I would like for us to raise this money for him, too.
I would also like to raise $100 additional per semester for Atwine to use for unforeseen expenses, and just to have some basic personal spending money while at school: over 6 semesters, this would amount to a total of $600.
Finally, there's also some nominal processing/website costs involved in doing this fundraiser, amounting to about $150
This comes to a total fundraising goal of $4860. Money will be disbursed in 6 equal installments of $765 (already factors in processing costs) at the beginning of each semester.
I look forward to us blessing this young man with the money he needs for tuition, to stay at the hostel and to complete his education.
Friends, I'm simply asking that you would consider giving a financial gift of any amount toward Atwine's schooling. I assure you that your financial gift will be sown into good ground!
Below, I am sharing Atwine's story in his own words.
Let's do this, folks!!
Atwine's story, from Atwine Peterson:
I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Am by name of Atwine Peterson. I was born in the district of Kabale in Uganda. Am the last born in a family of five boys. We have been all raised by a single mother since 2005 after our father disappeared. My father was a Reverand and a lecturer at Bishop Baram University college a branch of Uganda Christian University.
After my father disappeared life started getting more tough. By then we used to stay in houses of the workers of the university but since dad had disappeared we were given some months to leave their house. But before our father disappeared he had bought a piece of land and he had started building it but still on the floor level. So some of the family friends contributed some money to us. Mum used that money to pay for us school fees and she even tried to put that money in building the house. Time reached and we had to leave university houses and went to our house, we entered the house when it was still half built and mum kept on building it slowly but by God's grace mum has managed to build it though even now it hasn't got complete but at least now it is a house not a half house like back in those days. By that time mum didn't have a job but by God's grace she went for an interview of getting a job as a midwife in Rutooma health centre four in Kabale Uganda. She is still a mid wife at that health centre with not more than three years to retire.
Some period after dad had disappeared, the Reverand who was the Sub-Dean of St Peters Catheral Rugarama church registered my name with those who were to join Rugarama child development centre under compassion international where I got to know much about God since most of the activities were Godly for example bible study,devotion,praise and worship session. We used to learn some skills like baking, making beads ,carpentry and some others. I also learnt how to handle the needy because we would be handled as if we pay for the services.... the project could give us things to use at home for example hoes, blankets, buckets and some others gave us scholastic materials. Money also contributed on the school fees i paid in my primary and high school under the sponsorship of my friend Mr Harold Sasnowitz. Through that project i was able to know that even though my earthly father disappeared, i have a big Father in heaven that will never let me down which took away my worries.
By God's grace starting from my senior three I have been able to study under some bursaries (because of the talent of playing football) in different high schools,
Some schools i paid a quarter and others a half of the school fees which also contributed to my finishing well without dropping out of school. I was admitted at Kampala International University where i want to study Bachelor of social administration where the tuition for this course is 1,640,600 shillings but the university gave us a bursary of 300,000 shillings so am supposed to pay 1,340, 600 shillings which my mother promised me that she will be getting a loan worth that money per semester since she will still be on the government pay roll.. But my mother cannot afford money to pay for hostels which is 950, 000 shillings per semester..So any help will be appreciated because I really want to study this course at the university.
I want to study this course so that after getting a degree I also start helping other needy people in my community especially orphans and street kids. After graduation my plans are to seek aid from the government or ask for foreign aid and start a project that takes care of street children and the needy children that are passing through difficult life because most of the owners of some orphanages in my area didn't experience bad life which lead them to bad handling of the street kids that lead them to go back to street life. And if i fail to get the aid ,i have to look for a job in such projects as long as they deal in helping the needy.
Up to now am still surprised of the heart you people have because the greatest thing i used to do to Harry was to write to him only but in return i would be supported in my education, my life was improved and other good things as i had mentioned before. This forced me to reach out to him to see if he can help me since he is the only one i know that side. I thank you all for your helping hearts you have.. In my place even your relative can see you suffering but cannot help but for you, you help us even when you dont know us.. Thank you for the kind hearts MAY THE THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY.
Update: It is now August of 2019 and Atwine has completed three semesters!! I've added attachments below which show grades; thus far, he is a strong "C" student which is actually good considering his educational and socio-economic background. He has also completed his first internship, which is required for students once they've completed their first year. I'm hoping to raise an additional $2295 needed to hit our goal and help him complete the program so he can receive his Bachelor of Arts.
And I expected this: He's still playing soccer; second from left to right!
Organizer
Harry Sasnowitz
Organizer
Raleigh, NC
