Hello friends,

My name is Diane Dodge, I live in Prairie Farm, WI, and I have been working for social justice for more than half a century. My main focus has been food sovereignty through an agroecological lens, and that is how I became friends with Ugandans living and working in the Mitanya District, back in 2013. Since then, I've supported their efforts with the Kikwanda Environmental Association and Rural Women Initiative, both of which provided information and educational help to girls and women, who are both politically, economically and culturally oppressed in Uganda. Unfortunately, Covid and economics forced their demise as organizations. However, the need remains and is more pressing than ever.

Access to and completion of schooling is egregiously inequitable in Uganda, with girls and children from poor families at highest risk of school dropout. Coming from rural areas exacerbates that situation.

Sarah (pictured at top) and Noreen (pictured below Sarah) are two very young women who live in rural Uganda. In order to get a quality education, they've been supported by a number of people around the world. I have directly offered financial support regularly, since 2015.

In November, one of the chief organizers of their education fund, Chris in Brazil, passed away suddenly, leaving a huge hole in our ability to get funds for their schooling.

And so, I'm raising funds to keep Sarah and Noreen in school.

I have trusted friends in Uganda who have been making sure that the funds raised for the girls to complete high school are properly handled and distributed. All funds raised, after all fees and bank transmission charges are paid will go directly to the girls' educational requirements. Among us, we are also seeking scholarships and opportunities for higher education for Noreen and Sarah.

If we are successful, we will attempt to expand fund raising opportunities to include other children, and in particular, girls (who are so grossly under resourced!).

Thank you so much!

Diane