Terri and I have known the leadership team for 25+ years. It has been our privilege to donate to the work of HEED since its inception in 2005. We have seen how they started small with a vision caring for just a few of the neediest children in a remote village to now providing schooling for up to 1000 students. They also provide health services, access to water and career training for individuals and families. I am so proud of the team. It has been amazing to see the growth of the leadership team in Uganda and how much they have accomplished. Highly Highly recommend HEED Uganda!
I have been involved with Heed since about 2012 after being introduced to Julie and her Mission through a mutual friend. I bought into her dream with a commitment that has grown significantly ever since. My enthusiasm became such that I just had to see for myself what Heed was all about. So I joined a small working party and trotted off to Kyakitanga, Uganda in a full immersion visit to be a part of Heed and it’s mission for two weeks. Four star accommodations were only a part of my dreams during this memorable experience. I was blown away by what I was seeing. From a one shed school with around 17 students in 2005 to several brick and mortar buildings for over 400 students, including a small orphanage facility in 10 years, was truly astonishing. But Julie was just getting started and my commitment as a donor has also been expanded since. The Heed program has literally “exploded” since and my involvement will continue.
My Name is Harriet Aloyo Nyeko, The Business Development Manager Food for the Hungry International. I came to know about HEED 4 years ago, I believe God had a reason for me to meet Julie, although I disappointed the organization by not taking an offer of a job opportunity, God created an opportunity for me to impact HEED Children Uganda. It was at the beginning of the Church service when Julie made mention of one of the challenges she is praying for so that God should guide her to find solutions, and that was the saving groups that were started but not operating well. I followed up that discussion after Church service and shared with her my experience with establishing the Village Savings and Loans Associations. Julie suddenly became so excited. I could not understand exactly why she was overjoyed because to me this was something simple and usual but to Julie, God was working, and her prayer was answered immediately. From that time I knew God was with her and committed to walking with her to see these savings groups established.
Julie connected me to HEED's Team in Uganda, we developed a training plan and prepared for the training but the Covid 19 Pandemic disrupted all our plans for two years since schools in Uganda were closed. I remained indebted to this commitment and could not wait.
I praised God today because after the restrictions were lifted and schools re-opened, I visited HEED and launched the Savings and Loan for transformation program. As we traced our way to Kyakitanga village, it seemed like there was no other village ahead but suddenly after slopping there immerged a beauty school and hospital facility which gave the real image of God's creation; "from nothing to the beautiful universe".
I had read the history of HEED but was not deeply touched by the realities. seeing those beautiful and handsome girls and boys access and enjoy quality education, is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. We enjoyed the hospitality of God-fearing servant leaders and participants with whom we were engaged during the training. I have no doubt that the 90 pioneer members of the savings groups will have transformed lives and 100s of the Savings groups will be established in this village and neighboring communities as a result of the sustainable impact in the households of members. Members will have access to financial services that do not exist in kyakitanga village, they will accumulate income and start gainful enterprises. with increased income, members will be able to meet their personal and households basic needs including offering affordable education for their children. I am so humbled for being a part of this family and commit to seeing this project to the impact stage. Thanks, Julius and Julie for trusting us, and thanks so much for allowing God to use you for his glory.
To achieve this, HEED needs the groups to be trained on enterprise development, Financial literacy, enhance vocational skills, and Gender mainstreaming to promote gender roles and transformation that drives the social-economic empowerment of women and girls. Join me to support HEED Uganda. May God bless this organization and the Leaders.
I have worked with HEED as a volunteer for 3 years, and have been deeply familiar with their work for close to 20 years. HEED is strives to do the right thing and do it well. They truly care for the community - the students in the school, parents, leaders, and partners. They make a point to consider long-term impacts of their decisions and seek to empower local decisions. They are effective, impactful, and do everything with integrity. I would absolutely recommend HEED as an organization worthy of your investment of time, money, support, and partnership.
It has been our privilege to donate to the work of HEED since 2005. In the years since then, we have seen remarkable growth and development of their mission as they went from caring for 17 of the neediest children in a remote Ugandan village to now providing schooling for 500 students, health services, access to water and career training for individuals and families in their target area. We have been amazed at how much they have accomplished, truly transforming the lives of the people in Kyakitanga, all with a volunteer staff in the U.S., sending 98% of funds raised to Uganda.
I became involved with HEED in 2016 as a volunteer. From day one, it was obvious to me the high level of integrity this non-profit upholds. Further, HEED's genuine desire to honor and respect those they are trying to help is apparent in everything they do. HEED's donor and volunteer base is made up of people fully bought-in and committed to the work the Lord is doing through HEED. It's refreshing to be involved in a non-profit that truly values people over policies - this makes the work we do fruitful and fulfilling. It's a privilege and joy to be involved with HEED Uganda!