U-TOUCH

U-TOUCH is transforming the lives of thousands of young men and women in Uganda through technology education, entrepreneurship training, mentorship and child sponsorship programs. I am personally a beneficiary of U-TOUCH sponsored students’ program which has enabled me achieve my career goal. I was a sponsored student since I was fourteen in 2004 and had just joined high school a year before then. Through U-TOUCH support to my education, I am now a professional with qualifications in Public Administration and Human Resource Management. I also benefited from U-TOUCH technology training program which equipped me with high level skills for my research and studies as a University student at Gulu University between 2010 and 2013. I greatly commend U-TOUCH for its transformative approaches towards eradication of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy among communities particularly women and youth in North and Eastern Uganda. U-TOUCH’s success over the years is a true reflection of its mission and I highly recommend it for support of any kind to further its mission.

I've volunteered with U-TOUCH for about 5 years. What lead me to support this organization was primarily the lens to which they are addressing development. Providing technology trainings to help advance a community recovering from trauma is filling a major gap that is creating real change. The approach is effective and quantifiable. The fact that the local government donated a building to offer UTOUCH trainings in Gulu speaks to effectiveness of the trainings on increasing the capacity of the community. I supported the US operations and also traveled to Uganda to work with the staff there. I've had a great experience, life changing even, and feel appreciated as a volunteer. The organization's commitment to the professional development of the Ugandan staff is inspiring and consequently the staff display immense pride of ownership for each of their work.

The organization does a lot with a lean team and it's clear that most if not all of the money raised goes to in-country operations. The leadership keeps the mission at the center of all activity and I've watch Deb inspire so many to get involved through her conviction to serve this population with true authentic passion. I believe it is her authenticity that has driven this organization forward and will continue to do so. I will likely be involved with UTOUCH for a long time.

As the former legal advisor to a large corporate foundation and as a continuing donor to U-Touch, I can confirm that this is a well-run, dedicated organization doing great work in Uganda, and elsewhere. I know that the funds I contribute are efficiently and effectively used, where and how they are needed. For example, I've seen the results of their Women's Empowerment Program, and they are amazing. You can see all they do at u-touch.org, and I suggest you take a look there for the details of their mission and operations.

The people behind this organization are true humanitarians and do this for all the best reasons. This is an organization worthy of your dollars and your support.

I have supported U-TOUCH for six years after meeting the Founder Deborah at a charity function. I have two foundations and have supported charitable causes in over 30 countries. A few years ago, I went to Uganda to see first hand U-Touch in action. And was I impressed! The return on donor dollars (my $$$) is one of the best I have experienced in my philanthropy services. I visited three centers that had computer skill classes for eager to learn students. I spent days with students and the organization and was quite frankly blown away by how many people were -first time- learning computer skills and how this was helping them not only get jobs but start new businesses. Watching the enthusiasm of this next generation of leaders as they laser focused in the classrooms, was an amazing experience. I can't say enough about U-Touch - easily the best return on investment I have made in charitable ventures.

Trager Watson

Besides U-TOUCH having a heartfelt mission and touching so many people's lives, they also have sound financial practices and reporting. U-TOUCH U.S. accounting team works closely with the members in Uganda to accurately report, track, and support all expenditures and activity. Non-profit accounting and restricted asset management is tightly followed and obtained among all levels of the organization. Management and Board are delivered monthly financials that display KPIs, non-profit accounting reports, and notes detailing all accounts. These financials are available to the public and support the great mission U-TOUCH is fulfilling on plus their financial sound practices.

Unethical, weak board. Entire organization lacks skills in nonprofit management, financial management, program management or evaluation. U-TOUCH is the perfect example of a well intentioned, but poorly executed development project that makes the public believe that all international aid is bad.

They offer e-mentoring and appeared to accept me as an e-mentor but then they did not reply (to several emails) and after several month they apologized for not being able to accept me as an e-mentor; due to "severe power limitations at the technology centers in Uganda" students had a higher priority and "other areas of the e-mentoring program were not currently active". At least this does not appear to be the most well-organized effort.