U-TOUCH Uganda Education Project

Uganda Education Project: Meet Stephen 

U-TOUCH intervened in Northern Uganda at a time when the Lords’ Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency was at its peak. This was a period of unrest in the region that lasted for over two decades. Thousands of young children did not have access to education at the time because of rebel activities in the region which included forced abduction and initiation of the youth into the rebel group, vandalizing of schools and the facilities therein, all of which disrupted children’s education. Many young children became orphans after losing their parents and so they could not have access to their education since they were unable to provide for their school fees and scholastic materials. Additionally, many families did not have access to economic opportunities and lived in abject poverty. In order to rescue the situation, there was a need to put a smile back on the faces of these children through an education that would surely brighten their future. U-TOUCH with Global Giving generous donors initiated a sponsorship program to support the children affected by the war attain their education. Twelve years later U-TOUCH continues that commitment and dedication to these students who are maintaining their commitment to excellence and progress in school.

Stephen had the privilege to be among these young people who were sponsored in school and was excellent throughout his education. U-TOUCH found Stephen in a school when he could not afford his school fees. Though he is a brilliant student did not have an opportunity to attain his education. During his early high school days, Stephen recalled many occasions, when he was sent out of school by the school administrators and missed his classes because of outstanding school fee dues. Through the GlobalGiving generous donors, U-TOUCH supported his education since he was just 14 years of age. Stephen is now a graduate who is an inspiration to many young people in Gulu and Northern Uganda. Stephen’s commitments and dedication have enabled him to succeed in his education and he is undoubtedly one of the most successful U-TOUCH students from whom the rest can emulate and learn from his exemplary efforts. Stephen also benefited from the U-TOUCH technology program through which he was trained and acquired skills to use computers for his education, research and to connect with people around the world, sharing ideas and experiences. Over the years, Stephen volunteered with U-TOUCH as a way of giving back. With his education and excellent computer skills, he supported many youths who come to the U-TOUCH Technology Innovation Hub in Northern Uganda to learn and connect with the world through technology. Through U-TOUCH, he mobilized and provided leadership to a group of youth engaging in Peaceconferencing, an online problem-solving technique that employs gaming services simulation and role play to research, discuss and present solutions to challenges in communities and around the world. Stephen successfully managed this program linking youth and students from Northern Uganda with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and a school in the United States to share experiences, knowledge and learn through this conflict resolution platform. He is now a highly qualified young man in the field of Administration and Human Resource Management and he was able to score high on all these academic achievements as a result of the U-TOUCH education initiative with support from GlobalGiving and San Diego schools fundraising contributions. Stephen continues to give back by organizing and leading the sponsored students in Skype sessions with several US student groups. U-TOUCH is honored to share Stephen’s remarkable journey to achievement and proud of all his successes. U-TOUCH greatly appreciates GlobalGiving donors for providing opportunities that have totally transformed Stephen’s life and the lives of many disadvantaged children of Uganda. As a result of your support for U-TOUCH these children in abject poverty progress to meet their career goals through Education, Technology, and Empowerment. We encourage your continued support for these underprivileged youth in Uganda who are achieving transformed lives with your warm giving heart.

“Brilliance is equally distributed, though, opportunity is not”

U-TOUCH + GlobalGiving = Opportunity!

Stephen’s letter of appreciation:

I am so delighted for the opportunity that U-TOUCH granted me to pursue my education with the help of Global Giving donors. I would not have achieved my education if it were not for U-TOUCH sponsoring me in school. U-TOUCH found me when I had a lot of difficulties meeting my school requirements. My family could not see me through higher education after completing primary school because they could not afford the tuition requirements at high school due to financial difficulties that rose up especially during and after the Lords’ Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency that lasted for over two decades in Northern Uganda. The war disrupted economic and livelihood activities and therefore left families in extreme poverty, unable to meet their basic needs including health care and education for their children. I completely had no hopes of continuing with my education after primary level, yet I emerged the best student from my school in the National Primary Exit Examinations and I was accepted to one of the best high schools in Uganda. U-TOUCH gave me the hope and courage to pursue my education when they started to fully support me in high school for six years. After graduating high school I was accepted to a university to pursue a three years bachelor’s degree program, which I successfully completed. U-TOUCH did not stop there because it further funded me to pursue my postgraduate education majoring in Human Resources Management. In fact, I have just completed the program and graduating very soon. I am so grateful that through U-TOUCH support I have been able to achieve my career goal through my education. I am glad that I would be in a position to meet my needs and that of my family on gaining employment. I would like to specially take this opportunity to appreciate GlobalGiving and U-TOUCH for mending my heart through an education, which has greatly contributed to my career realization. I also very much appreciate the San Diego schools Principals, Teachers, and Students who have tremendously supported U-TOUCH through their self-sacrifices to provide education to needy and disadvantaged children in Northern Uganda. I am highly indebted to all of you who gave me hope and touched my heart with your support in my education!

Deep appreciation for your continued generous GlobalGiving supports transforming lives in abject poverty, impacting children, families, and communities!

The lives you change are the lives U-TOUCH!

Stephen