Dear Nyaka friends, collaborators, and investors,

We've put together a comprehensive update on all of our programs and what they have accomplished so far this year. If you are somewhat unfamiliar with the history of a program the update makes sure to bring you up to speed on the mission and past accomplishments of the program. The update includes our students' grades for the first term who are in secondary school and in both primary schools. Additionally, the update offers you tons of resources and links to media online so that you can get more involved in the programs that are close to your heart at Nyaka. For instance, you will find an interview with Jolly Babirukamu, our National Grannies Coordinator, on what the Grannies Program has accomplished so far as well as an interview with one of our beneficiary grandmothers.
You'll enjoy it!

-The Nyaka AIDS Foundation

Pictures:

• Nyaka school teaching staff 2009 (JPG)
• Kutamba Students learning in their new classrooms (JPG)

Attachments:

• Mid-2009 Update (PDF)

Brian Banks is a student who is traveling throughout Africa this summer and visiting a number of GlobalGiving projects. On May 19th he visited "Provide education to AIDS orphans in rural Uganda." When asked what he would tell his friends about this project, Brian said: “Incredible: You need to see this!"

While talking to a couple students about their experiences at Nyaka AIDS Orphans School, we were inspired by their impressive intellect, self confidence, and curiosity which exemplified the importance of this school in their lives. Christine, now in grade 7, lost both parents when she was two months old. Since, Christine has lived with her grandmother. She told us that if it weren’t for Nyaka School, which provides free tuition, uniforms, scholastic materials, and medical treatment (for family members too!), she would not be attending school. Christine is now a leader at her school, as health prefect, she teaches her classmates about proper hygiene. Another student we met, Emmanuel, had a similar story. Today, he is on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

Nyaka School serves 214 orphans. Not only does the school offer a superior standard of education (3rd of 143 schools in the area), but it provides students with a happy escape from their usual hardships. We heard, on many occasions, that students would prefer to be at school (learning or playing) than at home. In one of the school’s initiatives, the Anti-AIDS club, students use drama and song to personally evaluate their situation and teach the community about the consequences of AIDS.

Recently, Nyaka School, with the help of GlobalGiving funds, constructed a building which houses the kitchen and dining hall, making it possible to provide two nutritious meals per day to students. The building also contains a clinic, which not only serves the students, but their guardians as well, free of charge. Finally, the building includes a space where students can perform. Here, the Anti-AIDS club performed a play for us early in the day about the struggles of AIDS orphans.

Nyaka School has begun to work with the guardians (usually grandmothers) of their students. The “grannies” program works with 6,000 guardians in the area, providing agriculture, animal husbandry, and income generating tools and training. With the skills they learn, grannies are able to better care for the orphans they are raising. Throughout the day we visited numerous grannies who recently began to keep animals (goats, pigs, etc.), farm, and even make baskets to sell. One granny, Matilda, told us that she was struggling to feed the children and the much needed income has helped her provide for the orphans. Keep an eye out for the Nyaka Foundation’s grannies program which is soon to be posted on GlobalGiving!

While visiting another grandmother, caring for four orphans, we were reminded of Nyaka School’s uniqueness. When we asked the children their names, only one answered right away. He was a student from Nyaka, and he had understood our English. He quickly translated for his same aged siblings who attend the local public school. Hopefully, with continued funding, Nyaka will be able to serve all the orphans in the area.

To learn more, or to support this project, please visit: www.globalgiving.com/898

   

GlobalGiving is committed to incorporating many viewpoints on our 600+ projects. We feel that more information, especially from eyewitnesses, helps donors like you continue to support organizations doing great work in the community. Postcards are written by visitors, and to make your experience as authentic as possible, GlobalGiving does not alter these updates - they are the real deal.

Pictures:

• img.png (PNG)
• nyqkq_Large.jpg (JPG)

Greetings from the Nyaka AIDS Foundation. We have lots of new things to show you. Brace yourself! I'll spread this over a couple of updates.

Our secondary school students are doing extremely well. In fact, among his 106 peers, one of our students got first place in his 1st term exam results. Check out an excel sheet attached with their results and rankings for their class. We wanted to see our impact in the lives of girls so we colored coded the students into girls and boys. You can see that the boys seem to be excelling in secondary school over our girls. Although we are extremely proud at how much they have accomplished against all odds, we are working with our teachers and staff at Nyaka and Kutamba to help our girls through extra coaching. We are also working with our guardians to make sure our girl students get the time they need to study. Attached is also a picture of our students in their secondary school uniforms. Very sharp!

In addition, the Nyaka school welcomed Brian and Alexis from Global Giving a week and a half ago. Brian and Alexis are traveling around Eastern Africa visiting the most successful projects that you support in each country. They made a video intimating their experiences and what they learned. The video speaks for itself so check it out at the first link below. You will have to scroll down about half way to reach it.

Construction on the Blue Lupin Community Library is well on its way. It's absolutely beautiful. Our grandmothers have been demanding adult literacy classes (as they absolutely deserve!) so the sooner we finish the better! If you want to see a chronology of the construction so far and read more about Nyaka's aspirations with the Library visit our Facebook Page: Nyaka AIDS Foundation. Indeed, we now have a lot of content on there including videos, picture albums, and discussions on Nyaka topics. If you have Facebook you can follow us there by becoming a fan of the page! A link to the page is below.

Thank you so much for your continuing support. As you can see, it's making a world of a difference in the lives that mean the most to us all. The future is bright!

All the best,
Nyaka AIDS Foundation

Links:

• Global Giving Visits Nyaka
• Facebook Homepage: Nyaka AIDS Foundation

Pictures:

• Nyaka graduates at seconday school (BMP)
• The Blue Lupin Community Library May 20th, 2009 (JPG)

Attachments:

• Seconday School exam results (XLS)

Read about our 1st. graduation and view pictures from the event.

Attachments:

• Nyaka Graduation Report (PDF)
  

Please read our latest newsletter.

Attachments:

• December Newsletter 08 (PDF)
  

View this document to see how far Nyaka has come and how many people our work affects in southwestern Uganda.

Attachments:

• nyakaaccomplishments.pdf (PDF)
  

Visit our new blog and online store.

Through CafePress, the Nyaka store is the place to get your Nyaka gear and show your support of Nyaka whereever you live. All proceeds from store sales go toward Nyaka's nutrition program.

Links:

• Nyaka News Blog
• http://www.cafepress.com/nyakaschool

Our 1st graduation is only 152 days away! Please visit our website to see our Graduation Page. More details and updates are available on our website as well.

The best is yet to come...

Links:

• http://www.nyakaschool.org/graduation2008.php

Listen to Tom Rico's PeacePodcast interview with Nyaka's Communication Manager, Chris Singer.

Links:

• Nyaka Interview - Peace Podcast #18

Please view our May-July report from on the ground in Uganda.

Attachments:

• Nyaka May-July 08 Report (PDF)
  

Dear Supporters of Nyaka's project:

We would like to share with you some recent coverage of our project and Jackson's story and how and why he started this project. Read more below.

Thanks for your support!

---------------------------------------------

MSU Extension Spotlight

A Social Entrepreneur Among Us

If you need some inspiration, I’d encourage you to read about Jackson Kaguri in yesterday’s Lansing State Journal (see link below)

Jackson is a development officer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and one of the most optimistic and positive people I know. We keep him busy raising funds for programs in the college, including MSU Extension, but in his free time he has demonstrated his entrepreneurial acumen by developing a school for children who were orphaned by AIDS in his home country of Uganda. The school is not only helping young people prepare for adulthood, but also serving community needs with a water system and a central point for community organization and communication.

When we talk about developing entrepreneurs as one of our five strategic priorities, we need to keep our minds open to the varieties of entrepreneurship. That includes social entrepreneurs like Jackson who are willing to take risks and pursue visions that generate benefits for others. Thanks to Jackson for being such a powerful model for us.

Links:

• Lansing State Journal: Okemos man's school...

In honor of World AIDS Orphans Day, Nyaka has a new video, "One Child At a Time," posted on YouTube.

Links:

• Newest Nyaka AIDS Orphans School video

Check out our latest newsletter!

You can also access the newsletter online. See the link below.

Links:

• April 2008 Newsletter

Attachments:

• april08newsletter.pdf (PDF)
  

I just returned from a 10 day visit to Uganda. My first trip to Nyaka and Kutamba was truly memorable. The courage and spirit of these children struck me very deeply. Nyaka and Kutamba are truly havens for these children who have been through so much at such a young age.

There are so many needs and so much work to do. However, if we work together we can accomplish so much. All of these children are deserving of our love. Please consider helping in any way you can.

Links:

• Friends of Nyaka Weblog

Pictures:

• Me with some children at Kutamba, our second school (JPG)
• Smiles are everywhere at Nyaka! (JPG)
• Bruno with his great smile! (JPG)

Encouraging your friends to get involved will help us serve more children and their grandmothers.

http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/Education

Pictures:

• Kutamba school - our second school (JPG)
• Kutamba school - our second school (JPG)

This video was made by Eric Rudd from Indiana who visted our schools. It shows you a difference between those orphans in our schools and those left behind.
With your support we will continue to help more children. They all deserve our care and love.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1463340852

Pictures:

• sports uniforms donated by Tampa Bay Rays (JPG)
• sports uniforms donated by Tampa Bay Rays (JPG)

Check out a new Nyaka video:

Links:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhqHbGPLqIA

Check out our new weblog:

Links:

• Michigan Friends of Nyaka weblog

Here is our January 2008 update from Nyaka AIDS Orphans School.

Attachments:

• Nyaka 2008 January Report (PDF)
  

Dear Nyaka friends:

On behalf of the students, volunteers and staff of Nyaka, I would like to thank you for your support, love, and care. Nyaka, as we affectionately call it, was established in April 2001 with a mission to provide quality, free education and extracurricular activities, both formal and informal, to children who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS as a means to counteract pervasive hunger, poverty and systemic deprivation.

Nyaka’s doors were opened on January 2nd, 2003 Instruction began with 56 students who are all double orphans, meaning they do not have a father or mother. To date we are serving 186 students of which 60% are girls. Our new school Kutamba (healer) started with 60 students in levels one and two on February 5, 2007.

Your support has not only helped children in our two schools: Nyaka and Kutamba, but the whole community. For example teacher Agaaba one of our a pioneer teachers at Nyaka told me last year that because of his job at Nyaka, he has been able to buy land, take care of his twin sons and daughter, take care of his aging mom and dad, and he has bought land invested some of the money. He bought two bicycles. These two bicycles are rented to two young men who use them to transport agricultural products to the market. Therefore these two young men are able to take care of their families and their children. They earn a living and therefore help us in fulfilling our mission of alleviating poverty and breaking the cycle of poverty and systematic deprivation. This is one example how your investment has changed people’s lives beyond students.

Nyaka remains the only employer in this village, our school van is the only van that has saved more than 200 children lives in one year; so many mothers have delivered in the van and in our compound while seeking out our school nurse. We have provided clean water in the village and improved nutrition, hygiene and sanitation in more than 1,000 households.

As holidays approach, we wish you a Happy thanks for giving, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year. What you have already done is so much but because you have loved and cared for our children and community, we turn to you once again and ask you to please remember your children during these holidays. Recent statistics in Kanungu District (size of one county with a population of 250,000) show that there are 17,326 registered orphans. Nyaka is the only that provides free education, uniforms, books, and two meals to orphans. However, we are serving only 240. Below is out holiday appeal letter. Please share this amazing experience with your friends and family and remember you are always welcome to visit your/our children.

Happy Holidays!

Jackson Kaguri
Founder and Director

Please click below to read this letter from Jackson as well as more details about Nyaka's accomplishments in 2007.

Attachments:

• Holiday Letter and 2007 Update (DOC)

We have changed many children's lives. Few of then took time to express their emotions through Poems. Our visitor Dara helped all the children.

Attachments:

• Nyaka Poems.doc (DOC)

Your donations have changed lives of orphans and touched Allan one of the disabled students at Nyaka.
Though he cannot read and write as well as other students in his class due to a neulogical disorder, we have loved and cared for him, provided him a wheel chair, uniform, food, mosquitor net and everything we give to other children. He is a joy to talk to and loves school.
Nyaka will continue to serve and see all our students through any level of education. Remember December 2008 is the first graduation.
Our Global Giving project and budget is for five years, little by lttle we will get there.
Thank you for your continued support.

Pictures:

• Allan with other Nyaka students (JPG)
• Nyaka at Nyaka (JPG)

Click below to see photos of the Nyaka girls and boys in their soccer uniforms!

Pictures:

• Nyaka girls (JPG)
• Nyaka boys (JPG)

ARIYO DENIS:
When I lost my parent on 30th January 2001, my life changed completely. That was my father who loved me very much. I had to miss his parental love. However, I was a bit comforted to remain with my mother who at the moment helped me in one way or another in cooperation with my grandparents. Soon after she also died, death I started to feel sick always until I had to be put on a daily drug.
After my father’s death on whom our family depended upon I had no hope of joining a school. I was lucky to be admitted to Nyaka AIDS orphans School which provides everything to school children freely. I am working hard so that after my studies I become a pilot or engineer

KYARIKUNDA AGNES:
Death of my parents changed my life by social misery. Lack of clothes, food, etc and drop out of school due to lack of school fees, and when my parents died I cried after the death of my parents. I was at home while I don’t have school fees to go to school. I heard that Nyakagyezi vllage there is a school which helps orphans who study without no money for school fees. And I go there to study with them and I find the teacher from that school which is Nyaka AIDS Orphans School and they gave me some books, pencils, pens and uniforms and everything. Then I study up to now. Now when my God helped me to grow up, I will become a teacher. Thank you, Mr.Twesigye Jackson for helping me. May God bless you very much in your life.

Pictures:

• Nyaka student (JPG)
• A Rotarian visitor at Nyaka, you can also visit (JPG)
• Just like any child in your life, her dreams are alive at Nyaka (JPG)

KYOHUSIIMA MOREEN:
After my parents death I suffered so much because at home I am the only one who is there with my guardians and they are very old. So I am the one to do every work that should be done at home. When I go back home I am supposed to go in the garden . After the garden, I fetch water and collect firewood. After those things, I prepare supper. But now I don’t suffer so much because I wake up very early and I sweep our house, then I clean the compound. After, I go to Nyaka school and I like Nyaka as I like myself because it helps to study. It is where I get some of my needs and at home if I get a problem I can tell it to my teacher. Our teachers are good and they teach us well. They are kind to us. I thank our director Mr. Twesigye J. who tried to help orphans. Really you did a great full planned year. Really, thanks be to God. I am happy and happy for that plan.
My future plan is when I grow up I will become a teacher and teach in Nyaka. But my problem is one that I can’t speak well, but I know English and how to read. So I don’t know whether I will manage to do that work, but according to God’s mercy I will do it. I thank Mr. Twesigye Jackson who liked to help orphans who were suffering and now are free and fair since Jackson built the school in Nyakagyezi. God lord bless your family. Surely your grateful for your presence today.

BAREKYE ONESMUS:
After the death of my parents my life changed and I began a life which was full of suffering. I suffered but I could pray to God. I grew up staying with my aunt who was not very kid to me. Every work was done by me but I persevered. I had not much care but I planted my coffee, tomatoes and eggplants which I could sell and get money to buy my needs, e.g. clothes. I was not studying. I could remain at home doing house work and digging while my aunt’s children are at school. Really, I suffered but I knew God is my protector and he loves me.
I was ten years old when I was at home and saw my uncle wanting to take me to his home and I started studying. I accepted and went to his home. There was a school which was for orphans. I thanked God. On 2nd feb 2003, it was the day of opening of the school, I started P-1. We had everything e.g. books, pencils, uniforms and many others.
This school helped me in very many ways as follows. The school made me like others who have their parents. The school helped me to stay safe because my teachers could give me advice. Much time was spent at school, so that made me free from heavy work which was at home.
I studied and I could read my books and become the first in class. Now I am very well because I can get lunch at school. Now I am in primary five. If God wills I will finish my p-7. My plan the future is to become a doctor and if I get money I really will help orphans as our director did. Really I want to try my best and study as I have got this chance.

NAMANYA HELLEN:
My parents died in 1995. I was still young and they both died in one year. When they died I started suffering which I didn’t know that I will suffer up to that stage where I reached. When my parents died I had nothing to say but my relatives helped me. I was staying with my uncle who was caring for me up to when they told me to go. I stayed with my grandmother who is still caring for me to where I have reached. She started caring for me when I was 9 years old and now I am 11 years old. After that, my grandmother put me in the school. When she planned to put me in the school she told me and I asked her what to wear. I went there for two weeks and they sent me for school fees. I told my grandmother that they have sent me for school fees. She told me that she doesn’t have money. I stopped studying up to when my aunt took me to this school, Nyaka.
I really want to first thank our director who managed and planned to put me in school of orphans. I was there suffering and not in school, but when I heard that there was a school of orphans in Nyakagyezi. I told my uncle to put me in that school. My uncle wanted to refuse. I told my aunt to put me in that school. She took me to this school where I am still studying and told them that they help people who are helpless and whose parents died. And I think I will end my primary seven from here, God willing. I really thank the director together with the donors who are helping in any way they are helping us.
In the future I will make sure so that I can help others and be a teacher at this Nyaka school. Our teachers are teaching us very well.

Pictures:

• nyaka2_015.jpg (JPG)
• nyaka2_021.jpg (JPG)
• nyaka2_023.jpg (JPG)

You have supported them, now you can see them and listen to their voices of hope.

Click on the link below and then click "watch Nyaka video"

Links:

• Click here to watch video on the Nyaka website!

Pictures of our new school will be posted soon.

Attachments:

• GG mARCH 2007 REPORT..doc (DOC)

Using Nyaka model, we have opened a new school in a village 48 miles away from Nyaka.

Enjoy the pictures. Barbara and Clare are social workers on a Rotary International travel grant. They are working with Nyaka teachers and other community workers, exchanging ideas on how to deal with orphaned children and their grandmothers.

Pictures:

• Photo 1-- Clare and Barbara (JPG)
• Photo 2-- Guardians dancing (JPG)
• Photo 3 -- New pupils in uniform (JPG)

Please read our December 2006 newsletter for the highlights of 2006 at Nyaka.

Read about Nyaka visitor, Marjorie McNamara's visit and our plans for expansion in 2007.

Thanks for your support!

Attachments:

• December 2006 Newsletter (PDF)
  

I just wanted to share with you a story about Nyaka that appeared in Bloomington Indiana newspaper. This is the the fifth story in this newspaper since July 2003.

Thanks for your care, love and support of Nyaka school and the whole community.

The best is yet to come.

Jackson.

Attachments:

• Herald Times Story about Nyaka School (PDF)
  

Click below to read the latest news from Nyaka!

Attachments:

• Nyaka Newsletter September 2006 (PDF)
  

VISIT TO BRUNO'S HOME

Recently a visitor on behalf of one of our donors visited Nyaka School and some of the many pictures she sent me are attached but also a heart touching story about one of the Nyaka students she visited at his home.
With her and Bruno's permission we would like to share it with you.
Thank you for being part of Nyaka family.
Jackson.

I wanted to visit the home of one of the Nyaka pupils in order to gain a better understanding of the contrast between home and school. The nursing assistant suggested that I visit Ankunda Bruno, age 14 in P4/Grade 4. To look at Bruno, you would think he is about nine or
ten. His teacher describes him as quiet but attentive in school, and
he performs very well.


I suggested walking to Bruno’s home so I could get feel what this is like for him to walk to and from school each day; but this would have entailed climbing up and down two small mountains over rough
terrain (3.6 km each way) and the Headmaster wisely suggested we drive.


In former years, Bruno’s father had been quite a well-to-do local farmer. His had a banana plantation (field) and grew several crops.
He also owned quite a few cattle and goats, and lived in a fairly large and well-built compound near to a natural spring. But Bruno’s father died six years ago (in 1998) and two years later his mother died and after that, also his grandfather and finally his aunt, who had lived in the compound, as well. That just left Bruno and his two older brothers. Then, if this wasn’t enough tragedy, an uncle grabbed some of the property and took Bruno’s oldest brother to mind his store at night. Bruno’s middle brother was also pulled away in order to look after Bruno great grandmother who is very frail though these two brothers still have frequent contact.

This means that Bruno lives alone. I can’t explain how shocked I was by this. In all the years that I have visited poor homesteads, even child-headed households, I have never seen a child having to live all by himself, day after day. There are not even any neighbors close by. Just a part-time porter who sometimes hangs around and watches
over the last of Bruno’s inheritance three goats and one cow (that he shares with his brothers). You have to try to imagine this: the compound sits atop a hill, out of earshot of the neighbors. It contains four buildings, three of which are abandoned. There are some garden plants that Bruno tries to maintain, and a field of sad-looking banana trees off to one side. But otherwise, there is nothing. No people, no pets, no company, no protection. No paraffin lanterns or even a
candle for light after dark. No food in the kitchen except for some bananas and a few mangos. And just one small boy, trying to make it on his own, day by day.


The driver and I had bought some oil, sugar, bread, and soap by way of a small donation. After I was invited inside (the house is relatively substantial, but dirty and uncared-for) I sat down with Bruno and told him how brave I thought he was to be living on his own like a grown-up. But it must be very hard, I offered. Personally, I can’t imagine
how he copes with the loneliness.


What is most difficult for you? I asked gently. The nights, Bruno answered softly. Do you have bad dreams? I asked. Yes. And what do you do, to make the bad dreams go away?
I practice my homework in my head, Bruno said.


(I have to say, it has been a week since I heard Bruno say this, and I simply can’t get it out of my head. I keep thinking about him, and about the impact of Nyaka school on this child his only thread of
hope over and over again.)

- LUCY

Pictures:

• Nyaka__Bruno_in_his_home.jpg (JPG)
• Nyaka__Bruno__closeup.jpg (JPG)
• Nyaka__Bruno_in_front_of_his_home.jpg (JPG)

Read about the 32 new students that have joined the school and Nyaka's growth these past few months.

Attachments:

• February 2006 report (DOC)

Do read our newsletter for the latest news on our project.

Attachments:

• Vol_4_No_3_2.pdf (PDF)
  

Progress

Poor children, especially orphaned children, are looked down upon, denied basic necessities and ostracized for reasons that they have little or no control over. Access to education, healthcare and vocational training is an avenue for these children to have productive futures. Although more than 4,000 children have been orphaned in Nyakagyezi and surrounding villages as a result of HIV/AIDS, Nyaka remains the only tuition free school in the Kanungu district of more than 200,000 people. In a country where tuition-free education is extremely rare, Nyaka is making education a reality for 118 orphans who would otherwise not have excess to education. Furthermore, Nyaka provides nutrition and healthcare interventions, as well as vocational training for these vulnerable children.
Below is the progress we have made in just three years.

Some example of activities:

* In 2004 Nyaka Anti-AIDS choir was able to take their message to places only within walking distance. In 2005, they have reached 36 schools, 12 churches, 3 mosques and more than 12 public gatherings ranging from women’s day, Independence Day, Labor Day and other District celebrations due to funds for transportation. During these gatherings, they distribute educational brochures in simple English and Rukiga, a local language spoken in the area.

* Beginning this year, we developed a teachers’ training manual which will be used in an annual workshop with Nyaka teachers. Kanugu District Education office requested me to include other teachers in the area in our annual workshops, the first of which was presented in October 2005. Our teachers also attend training at the District and will soon be joining other organizations dealing with orphans and early childhood development in training sessions.

More activities are detailed in the report below. The best is yet to come.

Attachments:

• ProgressReport12_23_05.doc (DOC)

I just got back from Nyaka so greetings from Nyaka kids, staff, volunteers and all Ugandans I met. The children are as resilient as ever, enthusiastic and full of hope. There are 118 students. Two extra girls joined Nyaka because they could not stay home alone while their siblings come to Nyaka Monday to Friday.There are five teachers, a nurse and two support staff (store keeper and night watchman).

Kids get their lunch at school (see picture with blue cups), their uniforms are new and yes because of Steven Lewis Foundation grant, they wear black shoes and socks as part of their uniform. They are the best-dressed kids in the area and that has boasted their efforts in class work.

Nyaka Ant Aids Club also has a new uniform, new costumes and their message has reached more than 30 schools, 12 churches of all denominations and many public gathering including the independence celebrations where they sang on Oct 9th, 2005 in our presence.

Nurse Gloria continues to serve all kids and while in Uganda I contacted the nearest hospital, which will be sending their community outreach personnel to Nyaka once a week to handle cases Gloria cannot handle.

I held a halfway workshop with teachers (teacher’s manual available) where I addressed issues ranging from accountability, Nyaka vision, mission and Beliefs and School rules and regulations.

Finally we now have clean running water in Nyaka community thanks to you who made that possible. I visited all 8 taps and I have a final report that I will send out soon.

Pictures:

• The school uniforms (JPG)
• Nyaka School (JPG)
• Nyaka students (JPG)

Addressing the problem of AIDS orphans is a daunting task, but the Nyaka School has taken on that challenge and is proving what a difference a small amount of money can make on so many lives. In the Southwestern Ugandan village of Nyakagyezi, the Nyaka School provides free, high-quality primary education, social activities and basic healthcare to orphans whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS. Nyaka brings the community together to provide these children with a family atmosphere that will impart self-confidence and values that will significantly increase their chances of reaching adulthood as healthy, functional members of society.

In government-mandated exams, our students consistently test above the district average. Our health interventions have improved the daily existence of many of the students, allowing many to attend school on a regular basis for the first time in their lives. Our community gardens have provided food for more than 200 families in the area, including student foster families.

We have increased the number of orphans we serve by at least 25% each year, yet hundreds more are turned away due to limited resources. Expanded, recurring financial support will allow Nyaka to serve a greater proportion of the large number of AIDS orphans in Nyaka and surrounding areas.

Words from one of the 116 students
"When my dad got so sick, my mom sold all the cows, goats and chicken to get medicine but the situation was not getting better. Then my uncle suggested that we sell all the land, which we did, we live in a hut with my two sisters. When it rains we stand in the corner and wait for the morning to go to our school Nyaka. Without Nyaka I would be working for food everyday."

I came away from my visit to Nyaka with a whole new sense of the strength and warmth of Africa. What you are all doing for these children is wonderful beyond description. You and the teachers have succeeded in such a special way---the children are indeed SO happy. And how they sing and dance! They are so amazing. And so are the teachers. It made me cry just to see those wonderful children.

To that I can also add:
It is very heartening to see Africans making all this happen through their own ingenuity and dedication. Nyaka is a great model for how the African diaspora can mobilize support and work with their partner villages in Africa to make a difference in the lives of so many people in need.