February 2024 update: Edinah on left and Martha on right - looking very excited in their new school uniforms! They pose as Senior 1 students at St. Agnes Secondary School. Here is Edinah's letter of thanks!

I have been a high school science teacher for thirty years - with teaching experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer, at a school for adjudicated youth in Portland, Oregon, and many years in public school. In my new role as a semi-retired teacher, I was fortunate to travel to Uganda where I spent the last four months (July - October 2023) sharing and learning about the educational system in Uganda, and of course teaching. Part of my time was spent in the mountains near Lake Bunyonyi along the Uganda-Rwanda border where I worked at Kitojo Empower Girls School (KEGS) https://www.empowerkitojo.com/. This school was established in 2017 to 'rescue' girls from the cycle of poverty imposed on them as single orphans (one parent) or double orphans (no parents). Without an education, these girls have little hope beyond either early pregnancy or a life of hard labor in the fields or in the local rock quarry. KEGS was established to change the trajectory of their lives. As a primary school, these girls have been given room and board, a loving home, and a stellar education led by a devoted director and committed teachers. Together, this team of dedicated educators has provided an outstanding education through Primary 7 (the equivalent of U.S. grade 7). These girls have shown a steadfast commitment to their education - unlike anything I have ever seen in my career. For the month of October, as they prepared for their Primary Leaving Exam, they attended special "polishing" classes at 5 AM. They also attended evening classes until 9 PM (more polishing!) and in between they attended classes, completed practice exams, and revised these practice tests to understand their mistakes. I think their dedication can only be fully understood through the lens of hope. These twelve girls are driven by a hope that someone will support their dream of attending secondary school. But attending secondary school requires monetary resources that they simply do not have. Because each of these girls has left an imprint on my heart, I have returned to the United States determined to find a sponsor for each of the twelve students. Four years of secondary education in the Kabale region of Uganda costs approximately 3,000 USD. This amount will cover school fees for four years, room and board for each year, uniform and shoe expenses, exam fees, and personal expenses such as laundry soap, notebooks, pens, etc. For $3000, a girl can receive four years of secondary education. She will graduate with skills that can be applied to a better paying job and she can retain a sense of independence and self-worth, and ultimately break out of the cycle of poverty.

One hundred percent of the money raised will be used for the stated purpose and every little bit helps so any contribution will be appreciated. However if you are willing or able to sponsor the complete cost for one girl - the students have each agreed to write updates to their sponsor (if you want this connection). After my work at KEGS, I am committed to finding sponsors and/or raising the money so that each girl can continue her education. As of November 18, three girls have sponsors.... there are nine more that have a dream, a goal, a life to live. Will you be the one who changes a life through sponsoring their education?