One Heart Uganda is more than a program, it’s one big family! We gathered our past and recent graduates along with current scholars, parents and siblings to celebrate this June.
Thanks to generous donors, we held graduation parties in Kampala, Mityana and Lwamata. Beyond recognition, we built bonds between students that can help them navigate their early careers and current course work.
A recent mechanical engineering grad shared ideas and contact information with an established grad, who has built a successful book of clients in Kampala. Accountants working at different companies discussed their new job experiences over a meal. Vocational college grads working in catering, construction, electrical, plumbing, small business and tailoring fields shared trade stories. Parents, younger students and siblings delighted in card games and Jenga.
First-time Uganda visitor and OHU Development Director, Mary Patronik, established a “Let’s Celebrate” campaign to help fund the graduation dinners and our Hand Up Fund. Setting an initial goal of $2,000, the response reached $7,000 this month and has been an amazing testament to the collective belief in our students’ potential.
Our Hand Up Fund helps us to provide laptops ensuring university and college scholars can excel, purchase required workplace equipment as grads set out in their careers (for example sewing machines and electrical tools) and bridge scholarship funding gaps.
