The teachers of Ruhoko Primary School deserve to be celebrated. They're world class, bringing their A game to their students in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. On Day 344, we showed the teachers at Nakivale's secondary school just how very lucky we are to have them. And the energy caught on...we wanted the teachers at Ruhoko to shine bright, too. Ruhoko's teachers now wear their bright blue shirts emboldened with "Teachers Change the World" proudly. Because they do change the world. And these fun shirts are a daily reminder for each teacher that their work is important. That they are making a difference. The t-shirts were a hit! Everyone wanted their photo taken in their new garb, gathering for a group photo. When people are this amazing, you really can't say thank you enough. Instead, it should be shouted from the rooftops! These shirts are one way to say thank you - and to show our deep appreciation, every day. This day of change brought to you by Edmentum's We Can … [Read more...] about Show appreciation, every day
Changemakers365
A Good Night’s Sleep
On Day 351, we helped teachers in Nakivale Refugee Settlement get a good night sleep. Turns out, this was a popular idea. The teachers at Kayenje had the very same problem. So we stepped up to offer a solution. These teachers are working hard - and they don't have mattresses. Imagine coming home after a long day's work to sleep on an unforgiving tile floor? This simply wasn't good enough. A good night's sleep can mean everything. So today - we're helping them catch some real, quality Zs. We delivered mattresses straight to Kayenge. And the best word to describe their reaction? Gleeful! They jumped on them right away, testing out their springy softness. Hendoallen, the literacy teacher, said “when you have a lot of work and are tired, you can lay down and rest on the mattresses. And I will also use my mattress for doing work—lesson planning and marking papers. It is such a comfortable place to get all of our work done!” It seems like these mattresses will solve … [Read more...] about A Good Night’s Sleep
Do What Brings You Joy
As Sister Adelia showed us around her kitchen, we noticed that the space was pretty small - especially considering it serves hundreds of women three squares meals a day. "It's small," she said, "but we have big pots." The women who stay at Sister Adelia's shelter in Tijuana come from all over - Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador...even from as far afield as Cameroon! They're all fleeing heartbreaking situations at home. All looking for a second chance. The shelter in Tijuana is a sort of midway point between their old life and new, a place to wait until their cases are processed. Before their futures are decided. They might stay a week, a month, even six months, some with their children and some without. During that time, Sister Adelia does all she can for them. But, said Sister Adelia, something is missing. When we asked what was needed most, Sister Adelia thought for a moment. "There's something I can't quite place," she said. "But...they're missing a light. It's gone … [Read more...] about Do What Brings You Joy
Believe in Abundance
Sister Armida believes in abundance. Of people, of kindness. Of generosity. "People's generosity is what keeps us going," she says. "I don't know how, but we always manage to get by." Armida runs Casa de los Pobres, a center in the heart of Tijuana where people - mainly migrants - get access to a hot meal, a listening ear, and, if they need it, medical attention. Their clinic serves dozens of people each day, treating everything from the common cold to maternal care to disease prevention and treatment. But they don't have any regular income coming in - their number one concern is how to keep their pharmacy stocked. "Our patients have nowhere else to go but here," said Sister Antonia, who helps run the clinic. "We do our best to serve them everyday. But getting medications for everyone is a challenge." These Sisters want nothing more than to open their arms to everyone in need of care. With more medications in stock, said Antonia, they could welcome a few more without … [Read more...] about Believe in Abundance
How Sweet It Is
Just because somebody is down on their luck doesn't mean they don't savor a sweet treat as much as the next person. It doesn't mean they don't like surprises. The Catholic Sisters of Casa de los Pobres take on the massive effort to feed more than 800 of Tijuana's most vulnerable people. That's breakfast, lunch, and dinner for people who depend on their generosity and love. But the Sisters know that sometimes their fare can get a little...repetitive. Rice, beans, and chicken are on the menu a lot, along with oatmeal everyday for breakfast. Yesterday, we surprised everybody by changing things up a bit. Today, we're back at it again, this time with something sweet in hand. The Sisters told us that one thing people love but don't get enough of is sweet treats - something to satisfy their sweet tooth. That's all we needed to hear... We filled up the car with pastries, donuts, cookies, chocolate croissants...all the decadent breads we could find. And we delivered it to Casa … [Read more...] about How Sweet It Is
Holiday Cheer
In Tijuana, near the border, there's a quiet yet powerful celebration underway. A group of Catholic Sisters, equipped with a deep love for humanity and a drive to serve the very poor, are working around the clock to make sure that even the most vulnerable get a hot, delicious meal. Today, and every day. Sister Armida is leading the charge. "We don't ask questions," she said. "We serve anyone, no matter who they are. Everyone deserves our love." Every single day, this fierce crew of Franciscan Nuns serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to more than 800 people, mostly migrants coming from Central America. That's a lot of food. And they always manage to serve everyone in need. Hearty, thick oatmeal is usually on the menu for breakfast. And people love it - they depend on it! But, said Sister Armida, "Sometimes serving something special and a little different would be nice." The most frequent request? Ham and eggs. "There's one man who told us he dreams of ham and eggs," said … [Read more...] about Holiday Cheer
Staying Warm, Studying Hard
Our time at Ruhoko Primary School coincided with the rainy season. And with the rain comes new plant growth, green pastures - and cooler temperatures. A chill sets in...people start to layer up. The teachers at Ruhoko were noticing some shivers among their students - not everybody had enough clothes to stay warm. Their hearts went out to these kids. Plus, it was distracting from their studies. They really wanted to find a way to got some sweaters, jackets, and long sleeve shirts to their students. A little shopping spree was just what they needed! “This new clothing is wonderful," said teacher Bosco. "Everyone is very excited. Some children come from needy families and the items you brought are especially helpful during the rainy season. When it is cold, they are so helped by these extra clothes.” No more shivering, no more unsuccessful attempts to stay warm. The students of Ruhoko are looking better - and warmer - than ever! This day of change brought to you by … [Read more...] about Staying Warm, Studying Hard
The Little Things Add Up
You know how when you stray from a routine, it can be really hard to get going again? Once you skip a day at the gym or miss a class, it's a little bit easier to do the same the next day. For a lot of girls in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, the same happens with school once they get their periods. If they don't have the right supplies to help them through, they might miss a few days of class one month. And another. Soon, it's all too easy to stop going to school. For teachers, watching these days add up to missed opportunities and lack of education is pretty painful. They're on a mission to turn things around. In addition to more sanitary pads, the girls also need things like more underwear and soap. "Soap, knickers, and sanitation pads help the girls," said Pinklenn, one of the teachers. "Sometimes you might find that a girl comes to class and she is afraid of standing up because she is worried about bleeding. She doesn’t want to leave the class, just wants to … [Read more...] about The Little Things Add Up
Start Your Day Off Right
There's nothing better than a hot cup of tea when you're feeling worn down. To jump start your day - or relax at night. Tea is a big part of daily life in Uganda. That includes teachers. And anyone who's known a teacher knows that a little pick me up might be needed in the mornings to fuel for the long day ahead. But the teachers of Nakivale Refugee Settlement had a problem. “Our tea always gets cold in plastic cups,” they said. Plus, they were serving the tea in big pots instead of, making the hot water a little tricky to pour. Venting their frustrations made us boil over with ideas! We found a new kettle, one fit for the whole staff, and new ceramic cups to keep the tea nice and hot. Aside from tea supplies, plates, pots, pans, and silverware accompanied the tea as well. Having that morning or evening ritual is so important to staying balanced - those little life comforts sustain us more than we realize. This day of change brought to you by Edmentum's … [Read more...] about Start Your Day Off Right
Express Yourself
There's something really incredible that happens when colors are splashed onto a previously dreary place. Bright, beautiful, bold colors can make someone feel different about their surroundings. Feel a little more motivated - even happier. So why did Kabahinda Primary School in Nakivale look so drab? The teachers at the school wanted to brighten things up. They wanted to spread some positivity. So teamed up with them to add a little color to their world. We reached out to our friends at Revolution Artists, a team of artists in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, to help design and paint a series of murals at Kabahinda! Listening to the requests of both teachers and students, they painted messages like "pupils have a voice," and "pupils are encouraged to think for themselves." Never underestimate the power of joy - in whatever form it takes - to lift up, to bring together. Today, the teachers of Kabahinda brought that joy through color. Tomorrow, their students will be … [Read more...] about Express Yourself