Young Heroes Project

Children Helping Children: The Real Heroes of Nyaka

Time and time again, we have said that The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project is accessible to people of all ages. It doesn't take a lot to make a huge difference. Children from around the globe are able to understand and empathize with the orphans of Nyaka.

After all, at one point or another, most children fear losing their parents, either rationally or irrationally. So when they hear about children who really have lost their parents, they can sympathize and it sometimes moves them to make a difference.

Read about some of the remarkable children who have worked for the benefit of the Nyaka children, like 7-year-old, Cameron Northern (pictured above with Executive Director, Jackson Kaguri) who sent a letter to friends and family asking them to donate their change for the children of Nyaka. Her letter brought in $828.48 for Nyaka! It is truly inspiring and we are so proud to see these young people strive to make the world a better place. Please read more Young Heroes’ stories:

Nyaka Pen Pal Program

“My name is Ashley and I attend Hope Middle School in Michigan.   My classroom was part of the Nyaka pen pal program, and in a letter from my new Nyaka School friend, Gloria, I learned that her parents died.  She now lives with her grandmother. The students at Nyaka School are the strongest and most caring kids I have ever read and learned about.  I’m inspired to give money to Nyaka School because lots of people are helping to provide a better education for the students there, and I want to do my part to help too. When I donate, I know that the students, like my friend Gloria, are getting a nurse that can go to her home, meals, and the care they need.  The money came from me asking for donations instead of gifts for Christmas and my birthday, and from babysitting and cat and dog sitting.  I even led a pop can drive to raise money!  So far I have donated over $260 to Nyaka and am excited to continue to fundraise for them!  I know it is better to give than receive, especially since there are so many people suffering.”

Fundraising for Nyaka

“My name is Elise and I attend Hope Middle School in Michigan. I first started learning about and helping The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project in 6^th grade, when I participated in the Nyaka pen pal program. I also had a leading role in our classroom’s presentation which raised awareness and money for the organization.  During the community presentation, we raised over $600, in addition to the hundreds of dollars our classroom had also donated. 

Throughout my sixth grade year, I wrote to my friends and family about Nyaka students’ Allan and Justine.  Allan was born with a form of neuro-muscular disorder that prevented the full functionality of the use of his legs. We helped raise money for surgery that allows him to now walk! When Allan was leaving the USA to return to Uganda after surgery, I went to celebrate his outstanding progress with him. Allan was such an inspiration to me that I knew I should continue to help Justine, as she was burned by a paraffin lamp and is in need of surgery as well, so I asked for Nyaka donations instead of birthday presents for my 12^th birthday.  As an eighth grader, I have raised money for Justine’s trip to America.  I collected pop cans over the summer and money from family members - together we raised $250!  Everybody deserves a great life, and I want to do my part to help. I am so thankful for everything I have, and have realized that when people who are less fortunate then me need help, it’s not that hard to give a little, or even a lot.”

In addition to all the above ways that Elise has contributed to Nyaka, she has also written several essays and letters encouraging others to get involved. Her latest is themed, "This I believe..." Elise writes, "If you had the choice, would you choose to go to school?  Would you walk miles just to get the chance?  If you had no family to support you through it all, would you still do it? Fortunately, as American citizens we don’t have to worry about these questions.  We don’t even have to think about them.  We don’t have a choice whether or not we go to school, and we certainly don’t have to walk miles to go to it.  Many of us have great families that not only help us with our problems, but they support us through the rough times in our lives.  I don’t know a lot of people that are truly grateful for these things..." Please click here to read the essay in its entirety.

Books for Nyaka

We welcome children and teens from around to globe to work independently or as part of a school project and take the Nyaka Young Heroes Challenge. Click here for more information about how to get your challenge started! To learn more about the Young Heroes Program, please email info@nyakaschool.org or call (517) 610-7165.