Testimonials

Comments from Theresa Weinman on her visit to Uganda in February of 2009:

"In February of this year (2009), I traveled to Uganda to meet our first group of Engeye Scholars. These were the children we had chosen from a world away to receive a life changing gift - the gift of education. Meeting them and seeing this "gift" in action was beyond anything I could have imagined from the comfort of my New York home. During my visit, I learned so much about our young scholars and the needs of their families and community. I had met our first scholar, Susan when she was brought to the United States to be treated at Shriner’s hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. While she spent most of her time in Boston, we had the opportunity to welcome Susan in our New York home for a few weeks. Susan is a beautiful, fun, bright young woman who was a joy to have in our home. She was very much like my own 14 year old daughter. I was confident I knew who this young woman was. Yet when I traveled to her "home" and saw the mud hut and poverty of her daily life - I realized I hadn't known Susan at all. I could not have comprehended what her life was like as a young girl, suffering with the pain of her injuries, living in poverty, without a mother, without any hope of an education or a future. What did she dream about when she sat in the dark, dirty room - without lights, books, music or friends? Did she ever dream that a group of strangers from across the ocean would find her in her little village and give her a key to a future through life altering medical care and an opportunity to go to school? She told me she could never have imagined it would happen.

Susan is the first in her family to go to school and she is determined to do well and to make us all proud. I saw the pride Susan felt when we returned to the village from her boarding school to see her friends and family and she quickly changed into her school uniform. She now has hopes and dreams - to be a doctor or nurse and "to help people like I have been helped." She has her scholarship family cheering her every step of the way.

I learned so much about the power of education on my trip to Uganda. In the United States, education is seen by our children as a "requirement." In Uganda, going to school is an honor and privilege. This program is not just about writing a check and sending a child to school. It is about providing the children with the means to make a difference in the lives of themselves, their families and communities.

In order to ensure the success of our scholars, they are enrolled in nearby boarding schools. There are also two local, poor, rural schools located near the village, but these schools do not have the ability to retain students and teachers. These schools operate without necessary school supplies and without the means to teach and educate the village children. So, to reach even more children, we have expanded our program to provide an opportunity for interested people to sponsor a classroom or simply send resources, school supplies, world maps and posters to the local schools. What an incredible journey we are all on and we need your time, talent, ideas and resources. Together we have already changed the lives of several children. Together we WILL change the future of Ddegeya Village."