Because today is Boxing Day, I’m taking you to Kabale in Uganda, or rather the Kabale District, just a few kilometers from the border with Rwanda. And yes, there are people who couldn’t care less about hardware because their daily problems are completely different and some of them don’t even understand what a computer is. In my search for a reputable project where the aid money doesn’t end up in some great organization with an expensive water head, glossy brochures and additional costs, I found the Asiimwe Preparatory School, a school project in Uganda in which Europeans also help on site and which offers me exactly the transparency and security that everything you send arrives and is directly available to those who need it most.
And that’s how I found my sponsored child Amutuheire Eriot through the school project, who is only a little older than my eldest son and yet lives in a completely different world that is totally foreign to us. It was simply important to me that he receives an education so that he has the knowledge and skills he needs for a better life later on. Helping people to help themselves is not just a hollow phrase, but a reality at Asiimwe Preparatory School. At first I was amazed at how little money could buy a child a whole year of schooling, including a hot lunch and a school uniform. And even a little more, but that is always at the discretion of the sponsor and their financial means.
And so I am happy to pass on some of what I have been given by good fortune in my own life. Yes, of course you can’t change the whole world with it, but at least you can change someone’s life and future. Incidentally, Amutuheire Eriot has agreed to us showing his picture here, as has the school, whose permission I have received. Normally, such private relationships are nobody’s business and I have managed to keep my family out of social networks for years. But I’m happy to make an exception here, because it’s simply close to my heart.
The Asiimwe Preparatory School (pre-school and kindergarten), which was founded in 2016 by the Burimba Mojster Jaka Centre for Community Development (a local, non-profit organization), plays an important role, especially in providing education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Located near the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, it comprises a kindergarten and an elementary school that caters for around 192 children, including some with learning disabilities. This also makes the school stand out for its inclusive nature, which was particularly important to me. Especially as I also have direct contact with German helpers and the head teacher on site, which made it much easier for me to verify the information at the beginning.
In addition to the standard curriculum and standardized exams, the school also offers unique opportunities for students, such as special swimming lessons in Lake Bunyonyi, which is particularly important to reduce the risk of drowning in such a community near a large lake. Another feature is the provision of a daily cooked meal for lunch for the children. Because one thing is also clear: for many pupils, this meal is extremely important, as it is often the only hot meal they can eat that day. It is therefore not only an educational facility, but also an important provider of basic needs for children in need.
This model of education, especially in such developing regions, is actually a fine example of community-based efforts to improve access to education and quality of life for children and families. It also demonstrates the importance and power of such initiatives working in tandem with international support to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people.
The school also benefits from the involvement of international volunteers who provide additional lessons in English, math, science and swimming. The involvement of international volunteers not only enriches the students’ educational experience, but also promotes a global perspective and cultural exchange. Of course, this also makes it easier to facilitate and maintain direct contact, as most children do not have a smartphone or any access to the internet at all. We should also think about this. By the way, in the picture below right you can see my contact person Ronald, who organizes all of this. Together with some local volunteers.
Of course, I don’t want to make anyone feel guilty or collect donations, because this has to come from the heart anyway and not as a result of agitation. But it was important to me to show what else you can do when it comes to your own karma account. My money always goes directly to where it is used sensibly. If you use the right service.
What’s more, there are currently no transfer or bank fees if you use the right service. I currently need 100 USD or 100 euros per child per year, although I am of course happy to give a little more. Then there’s also enough for satchels, pens, pencils, exercise books and more. Well, and for birthdays there is also something for the private sphere.
As this is not intended to be an advertising event, anyone who is interested can simply contact me via PN or email and I will put you in direct contact. I am not an intermediary, but just one of many sponsors. And I really enjoy being one. If you think about the current crises and what drives these people to flee, you will quickly realize that it is incredibly important to help locally. Because almost nobody leaves their home and family voluntarily or without a genuine reason or compulsion. This is exactly what I wanted to share with you today. Education binds. With this in mind, I wish everyone a peaceful Boxing Day, whether Christian or not, it doesn’t really matter.
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