September 2024 Update
Greetings from Uganda!
I am writing to share the latest updates from Lasting Smiles Uganda. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our journey, and I am thrilled to report on the progress we’ve made. We have just come to the end of our second school term, and below are some of the highlights:
Our school came first in the international sports competition (soccer and netball).
Our candidates (Primary Seven) successfully completed two sets of mock exams.
We have consistently had our weekly devotions for the school, and we’ve noticed behavioral change due to this.
According to the visiting nurse’s report, the children no longer have jiggers and ringworm.
Matching Fund Campaign:
I am thankful to one of our partners who has offered to match gift donations up to $50,000 until the end of October 2024. I call upon you to donate for teacher housing, playground equipment, and classroom desks at the school campus. This will help provide adequate facilities for our teachers and a safe, fun environment for our students.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your continued prayers and financial investment in the vision of Lasting Smiles Uganda. Together, we are transforming lives and shaping futures.
A Day to Remember:
This academic term, the children had the opportunity to leave their village for a school tour to Kampala, the capital of Uganda. For many of these children, it was their first trip to town, their first time on a bus (or any car, for that matter), and their very first experience leaving the village.
On the long-awaited day, the buses arrived at the school at 7 a.m. The children eagerly filed into the buses, and, together with their teachers, set off for Kampala. It was the first trip of its kind for the village, and the parents were equally excited.
As they left the village behind, traveling through the lush Mabira Forest and onto the paved, busy roads filled with cars and motorbikes, many of the children were filled with wonder. Seeing traffic lights, towering buildings, and the bustling city left them mesmerized by a world they had never known.
Their first stop was the Uganda Museum, where they saw traditional, religious, and technological relics of Uganda’s rich heritage. Next, they visited the Parliament of Uganda to learn about the country’s government. They also stopped at one of Kampala’s largest bakeries, where each child received a loaf of bread at the end of the factory tour, which added to their excitement. Finally, they visited the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine, a place they had often heard about due to the public holiday celebrated in honor of the martyrs, but many had never known the story or seen the site to which people from around the world make pilgrimages.
The children returned to the village late, exhausted but incredibly happy. The trip had broadened their horizons and opened their eyes to the world beyond their village. Everyone, including the teachers, came back with stories to share, new knowledge, and a renewed sense of determination to work hard and strive for a life beyond what they were accustomed to in the village.
Scholarships Needed for Secondary Students:
We need monthly scholarships for our secondary school students. We have 29 students who still need scholarships at $85/month.
Our Bountiful Harvest:
We had a bumper crop of corn this year, which is a core part of our agriculture program and a source of income for our students.
Capital Campaign Challenge - Extended!
Our Capital Campaign Challenge has been extended until the end of October to meet three critical needs: new teacher housing, outdoor recreation/play equipment, and additional desks.
Uganda Trip - November 2024:
Jeff and Christine Steiner from our Board of Directors will be visiting Uganda from November 15-24, 2024, to interact with the school community.
