NyakaSchool

 

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Uganda

The AIDS pandemic has resulted in over 2.2 million orphaned children who have lost one or both parents. Due to limited government-subsidized education, extended families and orphanages face enormous obstacles in attempting to care for these children. In addition to the trauma of losing a parent, children orphaned by AIDS go without many of the basic human needs: food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education. Orphans are often forced to be responsible for income generation, food production, and the care of sick parents and/or siblings. They may be the first to be denied education when extended families cannot afford to educate all the children of the household.

TIME VideoMoved to Act

In 1996, Twesigye “Jackson” Kaguri’s life took an unexpected turn. He was living the American dream. He had an excellent education and was ready to explore opportunities, travel, and have fun. Then Jackson came face-to-face with Uganda’s HIV/AIDS pandemic. His brother died of HIV/AIDS, leaving him to care for his three children. One year later, his sister died of HIV/AIDS, leaving behind a son who also went to the care of Jackson. It was through his own personal experience that Jackson, a native Ugandan, saw the plight of orphans in his village of Nyakagyezi. He knew he had to act. He took the $5,000 he had saved for a down payment on his own home and built the first Nyaka School.

Our Mission

To provide a high-quality, free education, both formal and informal, to children who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS in order to counteract pervasive hunger, poverty and systemic deprivation.

Our Vision

For the rural communities of Uganda to build strong community and family structures using holistic and sustainable approaches that address challenges they face due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Our Operating Philosophy and Guiding Principles

  • We believe we are all one human family created by God, born equally, and have a duty to help one another.
  • We believe all people have the right to education, food, shelter, basic health care, respect and love.
  • We believe all people have a right to a voice that is heard and respected.
  • We believe a high-quality education is the key to empowering people to transform their lives.
  • We believe that sustainable, ethical, community-based solutions are the best way to address needs in rural Uganda.

Read more about the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project and AIDS in Africa:

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