March 2023
13th Annual Anywhere in the World Raffle
ONLY 26 DAYS LEFT to get your tickets for our 13th Annual Anywhere in the World Raffle! Each ticket costs $20 with a chance to win two round trip tickets to ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, ON ANY AIRLINE. There are only 2,000 total tickets sold and flights can be booked for up to TWO YEARS from the date of the drawing! The drawing will be held March 29th, 2023 via Live Facebook video (you do not need to be present to win). This is one of two major fundraisers that we rely on in order to keep our programs running smoothly. We hope you will take part!
To purchase your tickets, just click HERE!
Education Statistics
Only 25 per cent of children in Uganda go on to lower secondary school (comparable to what we would call junior high). While 99 per cent are initially enrolled in elementary school, the drop out rates over the years is incredibly high. While Uganda offers “free” education, students are required to purchase uniforms, bring their own school supplies and pay exam fees, etc. Over time these (and other scenarios) push the children out.
While not all our students go on to university, as trade school is often the better and more practical option, we are committed to seeing them through until they are equipped with enough education to provide a living for themselves and their families to come.
Children with us do not “age out” at 18, but stay in PFP until their education is complete. Many come to us a bit later in life and are behind in their schooling when they join our family. We are proud to stand with them until they are ready to go out out on their own.
Back to School
The long end of year holiday is over and the kiddos of PFP have headed back to their respective schools. We wish everyone the best of luck as they work hard to bring home great results this term!
Promise getting ready to board her school bus
New Year, New Path
The school year has started anew, and many of our students have graduated from either Senior 4 or Senior 6 and have started on a new journey. As our Senior 6 students await their National exam results, to determine whether they qualify for University, many of our Senior 4 students have decided to branch to a trade school. Bush and Brenda will be pursuing a certificate in pharmacy, Samson and William have chosen to do motor vehicle engineering, Gloria, Friday and Peter are headed to a hotel management program to work on diplomas in motor vehicle engineering, Gloria, Friday and Peter are headed to a hotel management program.
As always, we do our best to prepare our students for success, in whichever path they choose. For most students pursuing a certificate or a degree, this includes a new laptop for coursework. Peter was so excited to receive his this holiday!
Peter with his new laptop
School Fee Price Hike
-An Article written by Moses (PFP Juniors Coordinator)
Angela (Electrical Engineering), Juma (Tailoring), Sabrina (catering), Lotte (motor vehicle engineering), Samuel (motor vehicle engineering)
Staff Corner
PFP relies on our amazing staff in Uganda to keep the organization running. Without our Ugandan team, we would not be able to do what we do for the many children in our care. We hope you enjoy the “Staff Corner” section we’ve added to the blog. Each month we’ll highlight one staff person with the hopes you’ll get a chance to understand the important work they do.
Innocent Basakulu
Social Worker/Hope Home Caretaker
My name is Innocent Basakulu and I am a social worker with the Peace for Paul Foundation.
As a caretaker/social worker I am always there for the children and I work hard to ensure they are loved and supported year-round. Throughout the year, I help to coordinate and settle new entrants into the AHU program, I attend the management committee meetings and provide suggestions and support to our team. I spend a lot of time with children at home and help them to write sponsor letters, encourage reading time, help with tutoring and lend my ear when someone needs to talk. Another important part of my job is to host family meetings and to encourage the parents of children to take their role seriously and show up in their child’s lives in a positive and meaningful way. Once the school holiday is over, I escort the children to their respective schools to ensure that they have settled in and feel safe and secure. During the school year, I make monthly visits to continue and follow up.
I am so proud and passionate about my work and I just love it to a point that it is just part of me. Thumbs up to the Peace for Paul Foundation.
New Sponsors
In February, Mungu found his sponsor match! Lochlan is 11 years old this month, just like Mungu. Lachlan is working on his own to raise the funds needed for sponsorship, and we could not love this more. What a great way for a child to learn about helping others, and making connections across the world. So excited for these two to get to know each other!!
Sponsorships Needed
The success of our organization is largely based on the amazing sponsor base we have. The members of our PFP family. As a small grassroots organization, it’s crucial we keep all of our children matched with a sponsor. Right now we have eight students needing to be matched. Of course this match changes the life of the child, but it can also change the life of the sponsor. Everyone wins.
The cost of sponsorship varies depending on which part of the program your child is in and which school they are enrolled in. As they get older it depends on whether they are still in high school, trade school or university. Sometimes we will split the sponsorship in half, so that can also be an option for the higher ones that haven’t already been divided. Here is the list of the students needing a sponsor, which program they are in and how much the sponsorship is in U.S. dollars.
If there is a student listed that you may be interested in helping with, we would sure love to hear from you.
Sponsorship covers:
- Boarding school
- Medical including mental health/dental
- Food
- Clothing
- Housing during breaks/holidays
- An amazing Ugandan support system (All PFP employees are Ugandan)
Sponsorship, along with our fundraisers, also contributes to:
- Field trips
- Cultural exposure
- Sports/exercise programs
- Skills training programs
- Transportation
- Social work services to support any available healthy family ties
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this opportunity: hope@peaceforpaulfoundation.org
A Visit from the US Founder and ED
While PFP is run by the Ugandan staff on the ground, our Founder and Executive Director, Heidi Kaltur, visits as often as possible, to check in and make sure all are happy – children and staff alike (and to fill her own cup of happiness, of course!). Heidi is in Uganda right now and was welcomed by her PFP family with a big welcome party! Heidi is happy with the way things are going in Uganda and loves being there in person to touch base with everyone.
Staff, kids and Heidi
Cutting the cake
Heidi with Demi, Yasin and Hamza
Peter, serving up the amazing meal he made for the day
Team AHU (A Hand Up)
The AHU group has swelled to 40 students who are all involved in community service as a requirement of their scholarship. It has been inspiring to see them each come up with their own ideas and to utilize their individual skill sets to make a difference. Not only have we seen them help those around them, but we see their confidence and sense of self worth improve drastically this year.
Peter, working with the littles in the garden at Love Home
Morning dance and yoga session with the littles at Hope Home
Chipa, teaching reading to children in Masese slum
Friday teaching the little ones how to bake Mandazi
Levy, working on his painting project
A description of the AHU program is below:
PFP is working hard to prepare our older students for the “real world” outside of PFP. When a student enters Senior 5 (usually at about 18 years of age), they are moved into the “A Hand Up” program. They still receive all of the benefits that all PFP children do, however now they are required to give back to their PFP family or community. Each AHU student volunteers 20 hours per week on school holidays and has the opportunity to showcase their specific skill set to better the lives of the PFP children or at risk community members. All of the AHU students continue to step up, month after month. Everyone does what they can, where they can. Monthly meetings occur, with Tikol at the lead where students present ideas on how they can best utilize their skills. Students have been working with PFP as a sort of internship. The AHU members continue to contribute where they can, and we love when they utilize their specific skill set to do something meaningful within PFP or in the community.
Facebook Birthday Fundraisers
We love when our supporters dedicate their birthdays to PFP! Such a fun and easy way to get involved and to allow others to get involved as well!! Facebook fundraisers take ZERO administrative fees! We hope you will consider including PFP for your next birthday!
This month, we would like to wish our Founder and Executive Director, Heidi a very Happy Birthday! Please head on over to Facebook to support her birthday fundraiser!
Birthday Celebrations
Each month, we make sure every child in our main program gets a chance to feel special on their birthday. Each birthday child receives a gift and has a small celebration during their birthday week followed by a BIG birthday celebration all together at the swimming pool during school holidays. Many sponsors get involved by sending gifts to their child as well. All children deserve to feel special on their day and we always do our best to make it so! Happy, happy birthday to our February birthday children! Thanks so much to all of the sponsors for stepping up to be sure that everyone could really enjoy their day!
Eedu Simon Peter, cutting his cake
Lomongin, Fabian and Joel in the pool at their party
Holiday birthday party!
Birungi Isaac with his birthday treats
Baby Mary with her gift
William with his letter
Happy Birthday to Our March Birthday Girls and Boys- we wish you all the best as we celebrate YOU this coming month!
If you are the sponsor of a birthday child this month, you are welcome to send us an email and we can work together to make their day even more special!
PFP Junior Birthday Celebrants
PFP Main Program Birthday Celebrants
The PFP Junior Program
The Juniors Program works with families in our community so parents may be able to send their children to school. These children live full time with their families, but poverty has prevented the children from attending school regularly. This program is a partnership between parents and PFP. PFP supplements what the parents (or guardians) are able to contribute so parents may take pride in being able to send their children to school through their own hard work. The ages of children in this program range from four years to 18 years and we currently have 94 students who are benefiting from this partnership.
Moses with Isiko, Jackie and their mother at theyr home
Family Sponsorship Opportunities
We are always looking for general sponsors to help our family thrive. Essentially, as a general family sponsor, you are the sponsor of ALL of the children. We have opportunities for Medical Family Sponsor, Dental Family Sponsor as well as Mental Health Family Sponsor. A Family Sponsor commitment can be $25/$50/$100 per month.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this opportunity: hope@peaceforpaulfoundation.org
Director (on the Board) Needed
We are looking to add a new Director or two to our board and what better place to look than from within our team of awesome supporters. We are always looking for ways to improve and would love to find someone with a background in Microfinance, child development or child psychology. If you would like to support the work of PFP in a more meaningful way, we’d love to chat. Please reach out via the email below and we can go from there to determine if it might be a good fit. At the very least…. we’ll have a great conversation and a chance to connect.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this opportunity: hope@peaceforpaulfoundation.org
Tourism in Uganda
-An Article written by Tikol Joseph (AHU Student)
It’s in Uganda that the longest river in the world (Nile River) has its source and the country and you’ll also find the largest lake in Africa, (third largest in the world) Lake Victoria. Tourists to these sites can enjoy boat cruises, white water rafting, birdwatching, and many beach activities. Other visit worthy sites in Uganda include Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, Mgahinga, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. 
GuideStar Platinum Level Participant
The Peace for Paul Foundation has earned the Platinum GuideStar Nonprofit Profile participation level (the highest possible)! This leading symbol of nonprofit transparency and accountability is presented by GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information.In order to be awarded the Platinum Seal of Transparency, The Peace for Paul Foundation included contact information, financial information, our goals, strategies, capabilities, indicators, and progress, helping us more effectively share our story with the world.Check out our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile and tell us what you think:The Peace for Paul Foundation GuideStar Profile
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