More Sponsorships Have Come In!

We are blessed with many generous donors. We have managed to secure a few more sponsorships for the students moving on to secondary level at Bishop Comboni. We have funding for Akampurira Rhoda and Ekyakuzire Edwin (pictured here) and committments for two other students. That leaves only five of the graduates of primary level 7 from Watoto without help to continue in 2011.

Our New Director

We are delighted to announce the addition of Akankwasah Barirega to our Board of Directors. He lectures on wildlife at Makerere University in Kampala and works with the Dept. of Wildlife which oversees the operation of the national parks in Uganda. He has just finished a proposal to educate the children near national parks on conservation and wildlife appreciation.

Akankwasah was born in Bwindi and his heart is in helping the village to emerge from illiteracy and extreme poverty. He will be an enormous asset as we work to educate the vulnerable children of Bwindi

Osiriah is Sponsored!

We have found a sponsor for another graduating Level 7 student at Watoto School. She is a very good student who scored a first on the national exam and would like to study engineering. She will be attending Bishop Comboni School in 2011. This facility will provide a good foundation for Osiriah's university ambition. We are excited for her!

Ampeire Simon is Sponsored!

The Rotary Club of Sedona has decided to sponsor Simon's secondary education. It is a pleasure to see one of our local service groups take on this responsibility. Simon will go to Bishop Comboni School to prepare for a future in engineering. With lab facilities available, he will be able to start on the long road to fulfilling his dream. Thank you, Rotarians!

Opportunities and Successes

We often look to our star students (1st in their class, etc.) and neglect the stories of those who struggle. Osiria, picture on right, was ill during the first term and left school for a time. We added Milicent, on the left, who had to adjust to coming in late in the term. Both of these girls are now doing extremely well. We are proud of their efforts.

Introducing a Secondary Student

Ampeire Simon is graduating from Watoto primary school in December. He is very bright and ambitious, earning a first in the national exam that determines eligibility to advance to secondary school. He has no living parents and wants to pursue engineering. He will be going to Bishop Comboni school where there are lab facilities to ensure a good foundation for his future.

Second Term Standings are Terrific!

Our students are outstanding in their respective classes for the second term. We have received their student reports for the past term and their hard work has paid off. Miria is first in a class of 71. Milicent is 3rd out of 71. Isaac is 4th out of 72. Chris is 2nd of 71. Doris is 3rd of a group of 72. Gerald ranked 9th out of 66. Peter is 5th out of 71. and Jenipher is 6th out of 72. I could go on to quote the standing for all 21..................

These children are going to school for the first time. They range in age from 5 to 9 years old. This is their first experience in a classroom and they are proving that they should be there!

Secondary Students to be Added for 2011

We are working with Watoto School's first graduating class. The twelve students who are completing level 7 in December have proven themselves as exemplary students. Nine placed 1st in the national tests and three scored 2nds. They are hard working, motivated students who will need assistance in going on to secondary level. We will soon be able to share their stories and desires with potential sponsors.

Third Term Begins

On Monday, August 30th, the children will be back at school to begin the final term of 2010. The visits with family and guardians are short and treasured but the urge to be back in school is strong. We wish the children success in the last term of the year.

Second Term is Almost Over

We near the end of the second term and are grateful for the support of organizations like the Rotary Club of Sedona and the individuals who have helped keep the children in school. Each child has grown and blossomed in this new environment. Thank you for your donations!

Solomon has rejoined his friends at school!

Solomon, age 5, has recovered from burns to his arm and is back in school. He was injured at home during break and the headmaster came to check on his progress in the photo. We wish him well during his second term.

We are now a Public Charity, 501 (c) (3)!!!

It is with great pride that we can announce that we have passed the review of the Internal Revenue Service. Now all your donations are tax deductible.

We will be updating the entire website as soon as possible to reflect this change.

January 25, 2010 - First Term Begins

It is a beautiful day in the lives of twenty Bwindi children. Our tireless counselor and local representative of Bwindi Community Program has managed to assemble the children with all their belongings to begin their first term of school. The children will be boarding and away from their guardians for three terms each year.





The Ugandan school year begins in January and ends in December. The children will participate in school field trips and be home for holidays. For now, all is new and perhaps a little frightening. The school staff will be with them to help in the transition to full time student life.





All the children had to acquire school uniforms and all the necessities for their new role as students. They needed shoes, basic toiletries and are now ready to begin a new part of their lives.





The villagers turned out to see them. Parents and guardians are grateful for their opportunity and thanked Bwindi Community Program for making it possible. It is a life of subsistance farming and work on the tea plantations. Tourism may bring in some extra earnings but life is meager and education is a luxury.

The joy on twenty faces will keep us out there trying to raise funds. Seeing these smiles lights up our lives and provides the drive to seek out more ways to improve the village environment.





We are looking into improving the internet connection to our office in the village. We would love to be able to set up computer classes but that requires a far more reliable internet connection than is currently available. For now, we are investigating possible broadband service and will let you know how that turns out.