Connecticut Primary Student Raises Money
by Sacha Crockett
After reading a People Magazine article about Sarah, an AIDS orphan from Uganda, my daughters, Iyanna and Kiara, had many questions. l read it to them because I felt that they didn’t fully appreciate all they had. That article has changed my family forever. photo: Iana Kiara, and Sacha Crockett with Sarah.
My oldest daughter and I emailed Steve to create a pen pal relationship with Sarah. Steve told us that Sarah was in New York and that maybe the girls could meet. My husband and I decided to make the trip to Brooklyn. We met Sarah, Ojok, Kantogole, and Monica Nankoma. Ojok is a former child soldier. Kantogole is a bright and kind soul. Sarah is playful and full of life. Monica is the director of Concern for the Future, the NGO from Uganda that takes care of the children. We were so touched by their spirits that we decided that we would try to help them.
My shy unassuming daughter, Iyanna, went to her principal to ask if she could have a bake sale. He left it up to the teacher to decide. Mrs. Cockfield’s 3rd grade class fundraiser for the Ugandan children ended on Jan. 31. Their goal was $100 but they raised over $230. (in less then a month)
The children in Iyanna’s 3rd grade class brought their own money and allowances to give. Some of the children reached into their pockets for their snack money after Iyanna told them about what is happening in Uganda. photos above and below: Sarah Nantaayi
Both of my daughters submitted art for Middletown’s Reflections Art Contest “I can make a difference by…” Iyanna did a movie about our journey and Kiara drew a picture of Sarah picking up our youngest daughter. Both pieces have gone to the state level.
Kiara designed a t-shirt that we are going to sell to raise money for these needy and forgotten children on a website my husband (a t-shirt designer) and I are developing.
We can all learn from these children. There is so much sadness and ugliness in the world. My children have reminded me that we have to be the change that we want to see in the world.
2007 Annual Report
This report covers the period July 1, 2007 to February 29, 2008. It contains our accomplishments and looks forward to what we hope to achieve in 2008 and 2009.
Please download and read the report:
2007 ANNUAL REPORT PDF
Accomplishments (Summary)
The Ugandan staff and guardians took over management of their program. In July, we achieved our goal of making the program independent and indigenous, when the staff and guardians formed Concern for the Future, a Ugandan run NGO (non-profit).
Our scholars continued to excel in 2007. In the third term of 2007, 14 of our 41 primary and 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students placed in the top ten of their class. 19 ranked in the top twenty. Put another way, 31.7% ranked in the top ten; 46.3% were in the top twenty
African Leadership Academy. The African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg is a new school that will enroll one hundred of the top student leaders from every country in Africa this fall. We are proud that six of our students (out of 17 Ugandans) were selected as finalists.
People Magazine article. The December 17, 2007, issue of People Magazine contained a four page article which increased our visibility and brought in donations.
Curriculum Supplement. Marsha Vernon, a high school teacher at the A. Shomburg Satellite Academy, wrote a curriculum supplement, which highlights our students lives to teach how AIDS, poverty, and war affect children in Africa. This will be posted on the web to attract more schools.
Nokia. Nokia’s advertising agency contracted us to produce an ongoing series of two to four minute videos using their cell phones’ s video camera. The videos will be aired on Nokia’s website.
Please download and read the report:
2007 ANNUAL REPORT PDF
Two Uganda Exhibits Open April 6th
(1) The Gershman Y on South Broad Street in Philadelphia is hosting a photo exhibit of Stephen Shames‘ work in Uganda titled: Small Survivors: Vulnerable Children of Uganda.
The show is comprised of thirty, 30×40 mounted pigment prints showing the issues our children face and their success in school. Drawings and stories by our students will be displayed.
The show, underwritten by The Lynne Honickman Foundation, will open on April 6th from 2 to 4 PM and continue through August 15th. All are welcome.
See the prints in Steve’s exhibit
(2) Errol Daniels, a board member of the Stephen Shames Foundation has a show at the Olean Public Library Gallery in Olean, New York.
The exhibit consists of 15 portraits of teenagers currently living in Pader IDP Camp. Four were abducted and then escaped after many months or years in captivity. The others were forced out of their home villages when the rebels attacked. Errol recorded their stories and the teens made drawings to illustrate their plight.
The exhibit opens Sunday April 6 from 2 – 4 PM and runs thorugh May 3rd. All are welcome.
Both shows will raise awareness and money for our students by selling prints and student’s drawings. photo: ©2008, Errol Daniels
Student Profile: Hilda Kasozi
by Mary Lee
Hilda Kasozi grew up in a poor sector of Kampala, Uganda where the children, who are often hungry find joy pulling each other around the muddy, red, rutted streets on sleds fashioned out of cut out water jugs.
Meeting Hilda, you are first struck by her boundless energy, soft voice and voracious enthusiasm for reading. This driven, ambitious, pretty 15-year-old girl, is ready to start preparations for college. photos: ©2008, Errol Daniels
Hilda lives with her mother, her articulate sister 21-year-old Maureen, handsome and prematurely graying Elvis, 20, introspective Derek, 17, plus two of Margaret’s grandchildren: 6-year-old Akram, and 2-year-old Nakyondwa, called “Queen Latifa,”.
Her feisty mother, Margaret, who is HIV positive, belongs to an AIDS support organization called the TASO Drama Group. Through drama and songs, the 25 members of the group do their best to help bring awareness and stamp out the stigma associated with AIDS. They taught Hilda how to make beaded bracelets, purses and ribbons. Hilda taught her other family members. This brings in some money to help support her very large family.
Margaret met Stephen Shames five years ago. She ventured out early in the morning to see him, three different times. Each time the answer was, “No, we don’t money.” The fourth time, she brought Hilda and her school results. This time, Steve said, “I’m never going to get rid of you am I? OK, I’ll take Hilda. Great results!”
Hilda, deputy head girl at Uganda Martyr’s Senior Secondary School – Namugongo and a top student, is applying to top universities in Africa. She writes her admissions essays with great enthusiasm and fervor. Get ready Africa, Hilda will certainly be a great leader.
Donate
LEAD Uganda has two premium contribution levels: Sponsor and Patron.
Sponsors and Patrons receive a photo, letters from
their student, and progress reports from us.
Sponsors pay all costs for one child — $150 a month.
$150 a month — $5 a day pays for
everything a child needs to succeed: school fees, books, clothes, medical care, workshops in math, science, computers, and leadership, emotional support, counseling, and a family.
Sponsors are assigned a student. They receive monthly letters from their student, and progress reports from us. They may also receive photographs, drawings, and other materials.
Patrons donate $50 or $100 a month.
$100 a month – $3 a day - pays school fees (tuition), plus room, and board, books, and uniform at one of the best high schools in Uganda.
$50 a month – $1.50 a day – covers school fees for one scholar at a top school.
Patrons receive letters from students and progress reports from us. They are not assigned one student.
Please give what you can. Every donation helps.
$25 a month covers workshops in leadership, video, science, and writing, transportation home during school breaks, school visits, and staff support for one student.
$10 a month buys school supplies. clothes, shoes for one child.
$5 a month provides medical care and books for one student.
Please help a child achieve his or her dreams.
All contributions make a difference.
LEAD Uganda is a 501(c)3 non-profit.
Donations are tax deductible.
Photography except as noted © 2008, Stephen Shames / Polaris
Please feel free to distribute or forward this newsletter to friends, co-workers, and anyone else you think would like to know about the situation in Uganda and our program.
