My Nonprofit Reviews

I wanted to go on an African safari, and later meet Bangi Said of Uganda. The first two weeks was an organized safari in Kenya and Tanzania in National Parks. We saw and photographed the “big five” animals in the wild and the wildebeest migration across the Mara river.

The third week was a side trip on our own to a village in Uganda where Connect Africa is doing its work. Connect Africa were such wonderful hosts. I loved it, and Rita tells everyone it was the best trip ever.

About five years ago I had contacted Connect Africa to inquire about helping them. I didn’t really have any understanding of Africa except for my misunderstandings. Through other connections I had learned that Connect Africa was honest and helped people in Uganda.

I spoke with the founder and “big push” of Connect Africa, Lynn Auerbach. Half her time is in Newton, MA, the rest in a Uganda. She suggested we mentor a certain young Ugandan boy about to enter high school. What a blessing for us ever since. Bangi now is a second year law school student who earned admittance to the best law school in Uganda!

He and I started corresponding via email. Many young Ugandans speak and write English. Some was information and opinion exchanges; some was tough love as if I was his real father. He had no one else. He had survived from lower grade school on without knowing parents, relatives or friends, lived in a dark room he found, very lonesome, and scrounged for food. He found room and board for a few years working as a house boy until the beatings and the four-hour sleep time allowed became unbearable. He read whatever he could get his hands on, which brought on the beatings because he should have been using the paper to light the fireplace.

Then Connect Africa and he found each other. The relationship has blossomed! Rita and I are so thrilled to be of some help for a needy smart ambitious kid, knowing any donation is spent wisely by Connect Africa on necessities. We and Connect Africa will enable this special young man to be a leader, practice law in Uganda and help others to become educated and be productive in Uganda. The bottom line for Connect Africa in everything they do is “SUSTAINABILITY”, not a one time hand out. What I saw was a focused pair running Connect Africa in a hard nosed but benevolent dictatorship with those they pick to help. Only the best and brightest children qualify. They are super super kids, no different really than great American kids.

We were met at the airport by Lynn and Charles, the Uganda co-director driven to the village where they have a simple but comfortable Guest House. He and Lynn make a great team, impressive. They shape policy, strategy, and tactics and do everything else too. In addition, Ugandans volunteer too. The Guest House is on 21/2 acres of land outside a village near Kampala. We ate the local food and the bed in our room had a mosquito net. We had a private bathroom with shower, and shared the common room and kitchen. Lynn took good care of us.

Bangi took us on a neighborhood walk and visit --- learned about the gardens, fruit trees, herbs for medicine and a chicken farm. Some fruit and vegetables we had never heard of. Stick something in the ground, and it will grow!!!! When driving out on the dirt path/road, Lynn drove slowly to stop and visit with folks along the way, or offer a ride. Most folks walk, or ride a motorbike. A home might be one or so rooms, dirt floor, no glass or doors, of home made bricks or scrap lumber.

We accompanied Lynn and Charles transporting some of the 40 students about, like from home to the Connect Africa program, and to their boarding school for the start of the third and last term of school. Connect Africa is not an orphanage or boarding school. The homes and schools of the client/children are scattered throughout greater Kampala. Volunteers also transported some on a motorbike --- a common mode of transportation. Connect Africa has one Toyota minivan, which seemed to have never ending space for just a couple more picked up along the way. And then there were the boxes of school supplies, uniforms, and comparatively little clothing. One time when we had no other passengers, Lynn let Emma, a teen age boy in the Program drive the Toyota. He had a grim from ear to ear. From little things, to big things Connect Africa is there.

Rita and I participated in the last Connect Africa children’s day-program before the fall school term began. They speak Uganda and English. They had lots of questions. They loved my point-n-shoot camera. By just watching me a short while, they were able to take and then view their shots on the camera screen. They are so observant, quick to help, fastidious, quiet, the best and brightest. They can be the future of Uganda.

One afternoon a couple dozen local women met at the open shelter. Once a week a Connect Africa volunteer teaches English, and other skills like handling money and writing. Again, we participated. There was quite an age spread. They too asked many questions or discussed matters with us. They kidded us and had a wonderful sense of humor. It was all so inspiring for Rita and me.

Then we learned very special things were happening! The women had prepared dinner for us. After dinner they each brought us gifts from their garden. And we partied! Danced! Well, at least I tried. One lady could do the twist like never seen before! They all introduced themselves and told us something of themselves. And they expressed gratitude for what we do. It was humbling, and wonderful.

The key word with Connect Africa is “Sustainability”. Connect Africa is changing things for a small part of Uganda so it sticks into the foreseeable future. Lynn and Charles find smart children who otherwise will not get an education. Connect Africa loans money to the guardians for tuition. Charles and Lynn monitor their progress. They must keep up scholastically and behaviorally to remain in the program.

Connect Africa also makes loans to folks to help start a small businesses. I understand the pay back record is very good. Apparently these folks trust Connect Africa, but almost no one else --- not officials, not banks, not priests etc, etc. Connect Africa wants to change the culture so that folks will save for upcoming needs instead of needing to borrow.

Connect Africa is a small but effective organization --- a small fish in a big pond. It is a model for others. It has the capacity to do considerable more if we help them with resources. They know how to stretch a buck. Every donation goes a long way with them doing something SUSTAINABLE.

Jerry Hiptas