The December Photo:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
In this image, you see the 22STARS Team standing with parents at Hopeland High School in Kampala. Many of our sponsored children study here, and we are proud of the strong collaboration between families, teachers and our project leaders.
A December Thank You from the 22STARS Family
As we come to the end of 2025, our hearts are full of gratitude for every person who has been part of the 22STARS journey this year. December is always a month of reflection and celebration, and this year feels especially meaningful. Together, we were able to strengthen families, support children, empower women, improve education, expand music and dance programs, and bring safe water and nutrition to communities in Kampala and Jinja.
None of this would have been possible without the generosity, care and trust of sponsors, donors, partners, volunteers and friends from all over the world. Every contribution, every message of encouragement, every fundraiser, every skill shared and every hour invested has created real change where it matters most. We thank you deeply from the bottom of our hearts.
Education Support for More Than 550 Children
Education continues to be at the center of everything we do. More than 550 children were supported with school fees, uniforms, shoes, books, exam materials and holiday learning. Many families could never afford this on their own.
Through your long term sponsorships, children attended school every term and received mentoring at our community centers. Every year we see more students graduate from primary school, continue to secondary school, and even join vocational training. These young people are becoming role models for their siblings and neighbors.
Education is not only about school attendance. It is also about belonging, confidence and personal growth. Our learning spaces provide mentorship, emotional support, homework help and a safe environment where students feel seen and valued.
Your monthly sponsorships have made a life changing difference.
A few more photographs from that day, shot by Serena Martineau
Community Nutrition and Support
Our nutrition program ensured that children who come to our centers received regular meals, safe drinking water and emotional care. Many families struggle with food insecurity, and the meals offered at our centers make a big difference in their health, school performance and emotional well being.
Together, we provided food support to both children and mothers, especially during times of illness, emergency or difficult weather conditions. We admire the courage of every parent who continues to work hard for a better tomorrow, and we are grateful that your donations make it possible for us to stand beside them.
Music and Dance Program in Jinja
One of the most beautiful parts of 2025 has been the growth of our music and dance program in Jinja. More than 150 children received music and dance lessons, including guitar, keyboard, drums and singing. We offered classes every weekday from 2 PM to 4 PM with 3 fantastic local teachers.
We now have more than 835 hours of music sessions completed this year. The sound of music fills our center every afternoon. It has helped children release stress, learn teamwork, grow in confidence and unlock hidden talents.
With your support we continue to cover salaries for our teachers, maintain our instruments and provide learning materials. In the future we would love to slowly expand this program to Kampala as well.
Women Entrepreneurship and Small Business Support
This year many mothers continued learning practical skills like tailoring, paper bead jewelry making, baking, business planning and customer service. The aim is not only to provide handouts, but to build confidence and long term income.
Families who grow independent businesses are able to pay school fees, buy food, save for emergencies and reduce financial stress. We are very proud of every woman who has grown her income this year. Many started selling clothes, snacks, herbal teas, handmade jewelry, school supplies, banana fiber items and other creative products.
Empowerment creates dignity. Dignity creates opportunity. Opportunity creates a brighter future for the next generation.
Water, Health and Safe Environments
Thanks to wonderful donors and partners, we continued upgrading protection walls around our centers, repairing roofs, improving drainage and keeping children safe during rainy seasons.
Access to safe drinking water remained an important focus as well. Water projects, filters and repairs helped ensure that our learning environments remained safe and functional. Many children and mothers also received medical support and eye care when they needed it.
Every time we invest in health, we strengthen families, reduce stress and create more space for growth.
Our Advent and Christmas Campaign
December is a special time for our children. We are preparing our annual Christmas celebration at both centers. Children receive a festive meal, emotional care, dance activities, music performances and time together in a safe and joyful space.
For many of our students, the community centers are their safe haven during holidays.
Thank you to everyone who donated to make Christmas magical for our children and mothers.
The 22STARS Charity Calendar 2026
We are excited to announce the launch of our 22STARS Charity Calendar for 2026.
This year the calendar features touching analog photographs taken in Uganda by artist Kirsten Dünner, beautifully capturing daily life, family spirit and the resilience of our communities. Every purchase supports our programs directly and helps us plan for the year ahead.
We are very grateful for everyone ordering, gifting or sharing the calendar. It means the world to us.
Sponsor Trip to Uganda in April 2026
We are also preparing something special. After many requests from our community, we are organizing a sponsor and supporter trip to Uganda from 25 April until 02 May 2026. This will be a meaningful travel experience where you can:
• visit our community centers
• meet families and project leaders
• join creative workshops
• learn local crafts and cooking
• explore Jinja and Kampala
• understand daily life and cultural traditions
• see your impact firsthand
This is a beautiful opportunity to connect with our Ugandan teams, deepen relationships and learn through presence. We are incredibly excited for this experience and welcome anyone interested in joining.
A Deep Thank You from All of Us
As we close the year, we feel a strong sense of gratitude. We have witnessed courage, creativity, kindness and teamwork every day. We have seen children who almost dropped out of school become confident students. We have seen mothers grow micro businesses, create savings and feed their families with pride. We have seen music transform emotional wellbeing. We have seen community centers become true sanctuaries.
Every achievement was made possible by a generous global family that believes in dignity, education and long term empowerment.
You are not supporting statistics. You are supporting human beings with dreams, stories, talents and futures.
From Kampala and Jinja to every corner of the world, we send you a heartfelt thank you.
Here is to another year of impact, joy and shared purpose. Together, we rise.
"The heart of 22STARS is not charity. It is dignity, connection and opportunity."
Each month, we will publish a blog post exploring the story behind the featured Charity Calendar photograph, offering insightful commentary and additional images. Check here which months we already posted.