I am a sailor in the US Navy. Serving this country also opened my eyes to what families in other countries are facing. Some families need just a little support and it will have a very high impact on their current conditions. Cameroon, my home country has a civil war/crisis that has intensely affected the Northwest and Southwest(English Speaking areas). As a result, families are homeless, kids become orphans, families migrate to other regions or neighboring countries for a new start and life has become a living hell for most of them. The people staying back live in fear for their lives from either the government or the freedom fighters.
I decided to follow NGOs like this to get support and ideas to help families affected by these wars in Cameroon. I recently created a page to pass the word and hope I get more people to see these struggles and send aid to these people. Help can be sent via physical stuff to support a kid's education and basic life requirements for survival or contributed to our “GoFundMe” to build temporary housing for some families. Our instagram page is uss_eli1 and please show support at gf.me/u/479rnw.
As a donor I have been honored to received dozens of letters from the children primary to secondary (high school) age who have told their personal story of how Educate Uganda's sponsorship has changed their lives for the better in many ways and had true positive impact on their guardian(s). God's love is shown through the work, commitment and highly effective mission of Karen Vandyke and all those who volunteer their time and monies to make a difference in the individual and meaningful lives of Educate Uganda children. I can attest that EU is life changing... it has changed mine. Dan
Review from Guidestar
The personal touch of giving one's time, talent and money is exhibited with the leadership of Educate Uganda and the impact on over a thousand children it is having everyday. The multi-dimensional spirit of loving all and knowing we are all one, can be seen by so many in that the monetary gifts help educate the children of Uganda and help the teachers and nuns carry-out their mission of service. It also allows us, who have so much bounty, to share our gifts directly and experience a little bit of selflessness in doing so.
As I write, another group of travelers have taken school supplies over and are giving a human face to the great gift of education through Educate Uganda. What beautiful people. What an awesome program.
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Education, the most empowering gift an individual can receive is the focus and passion of Educate Uganda. I have personally witnessed the smiles of gratitude and pride of learning of 100's of young Ugandans. When life has taken so much from them in family losses....no one can take away their education.
Educate Uganda strives to see these children advance from primary school, through secondary school and ultimately trade school or university. A gift of education! A gift for life!
Such a well run, small organization that has helped thousands of extremely poor orphans. What started as an organization to help children in primary school has grown into helping some of those kids complete both primary and secondary school. In addition, several schools, teachers’ quarters, & pit latrines have been built. This is all being done because every dollar raised goes directly to benefit the children. Not one dollar is used to cover overhead. That is amazing in today’s environment. Thank you Karen Van Dyke on behalf of all Ugandans.
In my experience traveling to Uganda with the organization twice, my expectations have been more than exceeded. For years I have observed the behind-the-scenes work that the president, Karen Van Dyke, selflessly dedicates her time towards. However, when I was able to join the Educate Uganda team and see the effects at work, I was speechless. The reason for this is twofold. First, Karen takes the team under her wing and eases any discomfort throughout the journey. She works tirelessly to make sure the trip runs seamlessly, maximizing the productivity throughout the trip. Everyone feels like a family. Secondly, amidst the hard work while in Uganda, each traveler is able to witness the gratitude the schools have for Educate Uganda. Thirty-five dollars is the price of a dinner or clothing, and to these orphans it is a future. Educate Uganda provides a myriad of students with opportunities for success. Without the organization, children might be sent off to be married, not eat a single meal each day, and more. Instead, they are being given the gift of an education, promoting their faith and learning each day.
Educate Uganda changes lives every single day by providing orphans in Uganda with an education, love, hope, and safety. As a recent traveller, I was able to witness first-hand the tremendous impact that this remarkable organization has on all who are involved. Karen's work through Educate Uganda has created miracles for thousands of children and gives them hope for a better future. I am so blessed to be a part of Educate Uganda!!
The difference Educate Uganda is making in the lives of the orphaned children in Uganda is astounding. Educate Uganda is unique from the perspective that 100% of the donations received go to benefit the children in the Educate Uganda program.
Educate Uganda is changing lives. It provides education to those children that might not be able to attend school. It also significantly impacts those who help sponsor students and get the opportunity to travel with Educate Uganda. My experience along with my son's gave us perspective of what it means to serve and live outside of your comfort zone.
It is amazing to see what the passion of one woman can accomplish. The work of Educate Uganda is making a great impact on the lives of many children and affecting their futures. This organization also provides a grace in the lives of the young volunteers who travel to Uganda with Educate Uganda to help Karen visit the schools and families. As a donor I enjoy the letters my family receives from the children we sponsor.
After getting to travel to Uganda and see the amazing work this charity has done, its hard to articulate the best words to describe my experience with EU. It starts with the tireless work from Karen Van Dyke who pours love into every thing she does. Her vision is always progressive and creative.
The organization as whole has provided the smallest gestures of love, such a simple school supplies, to large generous gifts such as school buildings and latrines. But, nothing can compare to the gift of education that this organization gives to each child in Nkokonjeru.
My experiences with Educate Uganda are positive and inspiring. I love seeing the sponsored students grow each year. There is opportunities to even communicate with the students I am sponsoring. My favorite though is that students were originally promised an education through 8th grade; however, EU has now provided top performing students with the ability to go to Secondary School (High school) to continue their studies.
This organization has inspired its donors, but moreover, its inspired the students in Uganda. It is a truly remarkable scene to walk into a school and be met with so much happiness, love and generosity in a community that was foreign to me.
5 Stars for EU!
I traveled to Uganda with Educate Uganda in February 2017 and was able to witness firsthand the impact this organization has made. The organization has very strong leadership, and 100% of all donations go directly to the programs run by the organization - which is so unique. The people in Nkokonjeru, Uganda are so appreciative of the efforts of the organization, and recognize the impact it is making for the children in the area.
I had such a positive experience while in Nkokonjeru with the organization, and it was truly life altering. I met some of the most amazing, strong, spiritual and beautiful people while in Uganda, especially many of the local Educate Uganda leaders. The organization has developed strong partnerships with primary and secondary schools, and local people of influence that contribute to and strengthen the organization's local presence.
am kakumba alex Solomon from nyemerwa village,nkokonjeru parish buikwe district ,Uganda
am the one of those who benefited a lot from this organization
I was studying at st gyaviira rc ps nyemerwa
it was in 2007 when this organization was started ,
me I was in p4
I was sponsored by mr Greg Kampen who bought 4 me a uniform ,books; and a bag plus paying schoolfees and lunch .
this helped me a lot because I was about to leave the school .from st Gyaviira , I performed very well to the extent of getting a scholarship at a Catholic secondary school known as seat of wisdom up to s6
I performed very well from there . now am being sponsored by a government doing bacholar of agricultural and rural innovation at makerere university ;the great university in east andcentral africa
This is a wonderful organization doing much needed work for the children in Uganda. I personally know the people in charge and that they are very faithful and committed to this work. They do not take a penny for their work and 100% of the funds goes toward the mission of education.
Review from Guidestar