The Arlington Academy of Hope: A True Success Story

"Bumwalukani's schools are not so different in this way from those in countless Third World rural communities, where education comes in dribbles. For the most part, the idea of bringing such schools anywhere near First World standards -- or even closer to some urban Third World standards -- is an impossible dream. But for Wanda, the idea of transforming education in his home town seemed a little less audacious. He was a U.S. citizen now, the father of American children. But he was still a son of Africa."

- Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post Magazine.

The state of many African primary schools is poor. Children often walk barefoot for hours to attend a school that has no books, and no electricity. Teachers don't show up. Students sit on a dirt ground, with empty stomachs, hungry to learn. Many suffer from malaria. That environment is barely livable and is not conducive to learning.

The Arlington Academy of Hope is truly an amazing organization. Nearly 50% of AAH graduates, compared to 8 percent of children nationwide, scored in division 1 in Uganda's Primary leaving exams. Moreover, 98 percent of AAH graduates scored in the top 2 of 4 divisions.

Every AAH graduate has gone to highly regarded secondary schools with the scholarship funding that has been raised. Nearly half of those students are girls. Without the AAH scholarships, a good majority of the children would not be able to afford the education they deserve. The newly constructed library and learning center, the only of its kind in the region, opens a new word to AAH and the community as a whole. Furthermore, AAH assists 10 local village schools through teaching training workshop and the distribution of school supplies.

Health and nutrition are important global issues that AAH also addresses. AAH was able to serve more than 81,000 meals to their students last year. Additionally, AAH opened a new medical clinic in Bupoto in February 2008. The main benefactor, Beatrice Tierney dedicated the clinic to Joyce Wanda's four sisters who all passed away from health problems that could have been prevented or treated with the proper medical resources. Many people die from malaria, especially the children and the elderly. Unfortunately, the closest hospital is miles away and is inaccessible. People who are untreated inevitably die. With the opening of the second clinic, AAH will be able to save lives.

I feel truly honored and grateful to have worked with a great group of inspiring individuals. Hearing about their stories have personally touched my life. I will continue to work with AAH next semester.

Barnes & Nobles Charity Fundraiser

Saturday, April 19th.

The Young Professionals Club of AAH planned and executed a fundraising event at the Barnes&Noble bookstore in Clarendon, Virginia. I volunteered during the day for eight hours. It was nice to meet younger people who are involved with the organization. We had information tables set up throughout the store. We offered free gift wrapping for people who supported our cause. I spent most of my time promoting the organization, and passing out brochures within the store.

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, April 19
Children's' Event -- A Life of a Child in Uganda interactive story telling and crafts (appropriate for all ages)
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 20
Arlington Academy of Hope Presentation
Mission and Vision of the Organization
The Past, Present and Future and how you can help
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Refreshments provided

Love Generation

"Why most the children play in the street?
Broken hearts, faded the dreams
Peace on earth to everyone that you meet
Don't you worry, It could be so sweet"
-Bob Sinclair

This song basically reminded me of the AAH. So many children in the world don't have the opportunities that people often take for granted, such a public education and health care.

Saving Lives in Bupoto

By Therese Quiao


In February, twelve Arlington Academy of Hope volunteers traveled to Uganda for the Bupoto clinic opening ceremony. It was built in loving memory of Joyce Wanda’s four sisters. Recently, three babies were delivered in the maternity ward.


“The clinic is the biggest thing that has ever happened in this village,” said Jennifer Paul, who has taken an active role in AAH since it was founded. It had been Jennifer’s dream to go to Africa, and this trip was a surprise present from her husband.


It had taken a year to build the clinic. With the combination of support and monetary backing from Beatrice Tierney and others, the Bupoto community pulled together. While village members provided reduced labor, women brought food for the workers. The elders formed a committee to manage the clinic. Every morning individuals would walk to the site to see it. The building of a clinic brought the hope of a better life to an area that lacked a health facility. There was unimaginable suffering from sickness that could have been treated.


The entire village welcomed the volunteers in a heart-warming procession the night they arrived in Bupoto. It was definitely a sight to see. The villagers danced, sang, laughed and clapped in unison. Exhilaration and gratitude filled the air. They were taken slowly up the hill where they were able to see the clinic lit up in the darkness.



There were 2,000 in attendance at the opening ceremony. The day the clinic opened, many lined up at seven in the morning to be seen and treated. A mother frantically ran into the clinic with her daughter in her arms. The medics did everything they could, but all of her veins collapsed. Her lips quivered. She was in dire need of a blood transfusion. Beatrice Tierney and two of her friends paid to have the girl taken to the nearest hospital. Thankfully, the girl survived. The whole ordeal was very emotional and eye opening for Beatrice. “The idea of opening this clinic was to save lives. If the clinic hadn’t been there, she would have died. The first day we opened, this happened, and she lived. The day that we opened the clinic… we saved a life."

Bupoto Clinic Article

I was able to interview AAH Board members Jennifer Paul and Beatrice Tierney about their recent trip to Uganda for the Bupoto Clinic opening. The article will be featured in the AAH newsletter.

FUNDRAISER!!!

AAH Book Fair
Barnes and Noble
April 19 - 20, 2008

Participate from wherever you live. Please print the AAH voucher and take it to any Barnes & Noble store on April 19th or 20th. AAH will receive up to 20% of your purchase when you present the voucher to the cashier or use the AAH code 250589. Phone orders placed at your local Barnes & Noble on April 19th or 20th will qualify as well, however on-line purchases will not. Visit the Barnes & Noble located at 2800 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA for AAH activities throughout the weekend. This is a great opportunity to stock up on your summer reading and support AAH at the same time!

Arlington Academy of Hope Reception

On April 4, 2008, the Arlington Academy of Hope held a reception at the Hussey household in Virginia. The purpose of the reception was to thank the many donors and benefactors. Moreover, there was a ceremony where AAH received a $5,000 grant from the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation. The MDRT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Million Dollar Round Table, which is a premier association of financial professionals. The MDRT Foundation grant will support one year of secondary education scholarships for the graduates of the AAH Primary school.

I volunteered eight hours for this event along with two other American University students. When we arrived, we helped with the set up and preparation. We arranged the fruit, cheese, and crackers. We also placed the hors d'ourves on various trays. These appetizers were actually prepared by Joyce Wanda, the wife of AAH's founder. The appetizers consisted of a various Ugandan delicacies like samossas and mandazis. When the guests arrived, I helped greet everyone. There was about fifty people in attendance. We all rotated the responsibilities. Sometimes, I mingled with the guests and served food, and other times I tended the bar.
There was red and white South African wine, as well as Ugandan sherry. The most popular drink of the night was the Ugandan martini which was made with Uganda waragi. Waragi is a strong, spicy banana gin.

Throughout the night, Daniel S. Ssuuna performed his amazing music. Ssuuna is a dancer, percussionist, singer, songwriter, storyteller, and recording artist from Uganda. His music has a strong following. His cd, "Voices of War" can be purchased at his website or his myspace.
According to Ssuuna, "The Spirit of Africa is here to keep love in action. "

Overall, this event was an amazing experience. It was great opportunity to meet the founders of the organization, as well as the many board members and volunteers.

Future Plans?

- I will be attending an event on April 4th, I will be volunteering as the bartender.
- Attendance at the Young Professionals Meeting.
- Helping out at future fundraising events.
- Grant Writing.

There's always more to do!

Fundraising

An organization would cease to exist without monetary support. Unfortunately, the world runs on money. Funding is hard to come by, especially for a non-profit organization. I have tried to brainstorm different fundraising options that have the potential for success.

As the warm weather approaches, I thought that ice cream would be a great idea. So I called my local Coldstone Creamery. I contacted the manager and he said that they have fundraising options available in April. I e-mailed him further information about AAH, but I have not heard back yet. I plan on going to the ice cream store to follow-up with Marc Lowery in person. Hopefully, my event planning will work out!

Social Networking

The majority of the Arlington Academy of Hope volunteers are older and seem to be stifled by popular social networking outlets that are available on the internet. I helped broaden our outreach on Facebook using the Causes application.
Moreover, I focused mainly on our presence on Change.org.
Change.org is a social network that allows people to connect with other people that care about the same social issues. They give users an option to create a virtual organization called "Changes." This allows individuals to share ideas and collectively achieve a common goal. This website allows individuals access to 1.5 million nonprofits. As an admin of the Arlington Academy of Hope change, I was able to add photographs, upgrade the mission statement and recent news (http://www.change.org/nonprofits/view/69254). It has been difficult for me to invite supporters, I feel like people overlook it when I e-mail it to them.

I created a change for the Bupoto Clinic in Uganda, which was established in 2006. Hopefully this will increase awareness and inspire people to donate money.

What is the Arlington Academy of Hope?

AAH's vision is to transform villages in rural Uganda into vibrant, self-sustaining communities through quality education and healthcare. Specifically we seek to:

• Develop educational and healthcare models in each village where we have a presence. Set new standards of academic excellence and prepare the children for adult lives that contribute to the progress of their communities and the world. Local schools will perform better. Students will progress to higher levels of learning and professional careers. Through adult education programs, literacy will increase in local communities.
• Establish clinics and community health programs that provide children and their families with access to modern healthcare, medicines, and treatments. More people will live longer with a higher quality of life.
• Encourage villages with AAH programs to employ technology and provide services for surrounding areas. Building and farming techniques will demonstrate an increased environmental awareness.

Through shared learning experiences, AAH will foster greater cultural understanding on local, national, and international levels.

Our Core Values:

We are an organization that believes in ...

Education

• We believe that all children have a right to education and basic healthcare.
• We believe that education is the key to transformation and provides new opportunities.
• We believe that children are our hope for the future.

Integrity

• We responsibly and strategically use our resources of time, talent and money.

Respect

• We value the Ugandan culture and way of life.
• We are inclusive of diverse ideas, perspectives and backgrounds within AAH.

Communication

• We honestly and openly share our ideas and organizational decision making.

Partnership

• We foster teamwork and value relationships with our volunteers, child sponors, donors, partners and friends as we work to achieve our goals in partnership with the people of Uganda.

A Passion to Serve

• We empower people with opportunities to help children and others in need.
• We strengthen and grow the organization in a positive and constructive way.

Why did I choose AAH?

At first it was difficult to decide which non-profit to volunteer for because there are so many organizations that stand for noble causes. The Arlington Academy of Hope caught my eye because it is a local organization that aims to create a sustainable community in rural Uganda. They campaign for education and accessible healthcare.

" The Arlington Academy of Hope established a school in the Bumwalukani village, which enrolls more than 300 students in seven grades providing dedicated teachers, individual attention and a supportive learning atmosphere. In three years, it has become the model school for villages in eastern Uganda. They established a clinic in 2006 provides immunizations and basic healthcare to students, their families and the local community. More than 3,000 patients have been cared for since September 2006. They launched a secondary education program launched in 2007 provides scholarships to AAH and select local students helping them continue their education and reach for their dreams."

The founder of this organization, John Wanda, is a native of this African town. It is rare that individuals have the opportunity to attend a university and move to the United States. It is amazing that he is able to give back to the community that he came from. When Wanda spoke at American, I was not only touched by his personal account, but I was inspired to be a part of something this wonderful. Often people are so fixated on the negative things in the world (war, poverty, alienation) that they overlook the the beauty of humanity.