1st grades on National Exams

Our students received first grades on their national exams: the UCE (Uganda Certificate of Education) taken in 11th grade and the Primary Leaving Exams taken in 7th grade.

All four of our 11th graders — Aloysious, Hilda, Alex, and Sylvester — received 1st grades. All will continue at top high schools. Aloysious, an AIDS orphan from Rakai (photo, left) did best. He received 14 aggregates in 8 subjects— an excellent performance.
(Students are graded 1 to 9 in 8 subjects. The best possible score is 8. 72 is the lowest score. 32 and above is a first grade.)

Three of our seven 7th grade students received first grades, Three received high second grades. The six will go to the top high schools.

John lays bricks during holidays

During the two month long winter school break, John Baidu returned to his home village in Mbaale district to spend the holidays with his family of five bothers and two sisters.

John says, “Always when I arrive, most eyes are on me, especially my friends, because they think every one who studies from the city, especially from Uganda Martyrs Senior Secondary School – Namugongo, the best school in the country has money — which I don’t have.”

He adds, “My plan was to earn some money through brick laying. My guardians are low-income earners. Therefore I can’t expect much money from them for the personal items and school requirements I need when I go back to school.” (Ugandan students must supply hand and laundry soap, toilet paper, etc. to their schools. LEAD Uganda provides all scholastic materials. Families to contribute by suppling personal items.)

“I approached some one to employ me and I began on my job the following day. My work included fetching water and making sure the sand was well watered and moistured. Every day I earned 1,000 shillings (fifty-three cents) as well as lunch. Brick laying is despised by most youth of my age because of its nature. Most of my friends laughed at me, but I was determined to work to get money for my education. Always at the back of my mind was my resolve to succeed. I want to succeed more than anything and therefore I know I am destined to rise beyond laying bricks and fetching water,” remarks the 18-year-old.

John says; “In a month, I was able to make 15, 000 shillings ($8.00), which I saved to use as for transport back to Kampala and also to meet my private needs.”

photo: A boy in Awere IDP Camp makes bricks. This is not John.

“I am glad that at the end of this month we will be resuming studies. I cannot wait to hold a pen again. I feel important with a pen in my hand. I feel like I am growing up to be some body important. A doctor. Maybe a famous doctor. When I look at my country, the only people who can make a difference are doctors, lawyers, teachers and poets. So I study hard because it’s the only real chance I have, provided to me by LEAD Uganda, to help my family and my country escape the historical reservations. I think the world is a series of outbreaks, heart attacks, floods and diseases. My enthusiasm to excel and be a doctor, is a lifeboat.”

Sanyu teaches math workshop

During Christmas holidays, Sanyu organized mathematics lessons for her fellow young ones in grades 2, 3, and 4. “I always believe that somewhere someone is looking for exactly what I have to offer and the greatest good we can do for others is to share with them our riches. God has given me a gift of understanding Mathematics, and I had to share my gift during these holidays with the 2 nd , 3rd and 4th graders,” narrates Sanyu.
The students of LEAD Uganda elected Sanyu as a house prefect because of her enthusiasm and her willingness to help others.

Sanyu received a cell phone during an event honoring her and twenty other top students and elected student leaders.

“I feel encouraged to work even harder next term, so that I can receive another gift. I use the phone to keep in touch with my school friends, like Justine,” remarks Sanyu. Musa, a former street kid, shakes hands with Steve after receiving his award for academic excellence. Left is Joyce Kasujja, a Concern for the Future board member and mother of five students, including Wasswa Charles who took this photograph.

New LEAD Uganda brochures

Our new brochure just went to the printers. We are proud of it. Download the PDF and see for yourself.
LEAD Uganda – New Brochure

News Photographer cover article

News Photographer,  the monthly magazine of the National Press Photographer’s Association featured LEAD Uganda in a cover article on photographers shooting for NGOs.

4th grader Sarah’s photo appeared on the cover. The article by Alisa Booze Troetschel discusses the work of LEAD Uganda.

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 © 2009, Stephen Shames / Polaris

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