22STARS Foundation | Education Changes Lives

More Than a Cooking Class: Learning Together in Jinja

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:58:08 -0700

Cooking, learning and plenty of laughter with the women of Shining Stars

Some of the best moments on an Impact Trip happen around a table.

At our Shining Stars CBO in Jinja, cooking together has become one of those experiences visitors remember long after returning home. It is not about arriving with something to teach. Quite the opposite. It is a chance to step into the kitchen, roll up your sleeves and learn from the women who know exactly what they are doing.

For David Schmidt, who recently returned to Uganda for the second time, the cooking workshops were once again one of the highlights.

“The food is incredible, but what I love most is learning from the women, trying new skills and all the laughter in the kitchen. I always leave with a full stomach and something new I’ve learned.”

Cooking is part of everyday life at Shining Stars. During our weekend programs, meals are prepared for the children, and food and nutrition are an important part of our wider work with families.

During an Impact Trip, visitors get the opportunity to join in. Together with the local team, we prepare Ugandan dishes from scratch. Vegetables are washed and chopped, dough is mixed and rolled, sauces simmer, and everyone gets a job. And there is usually plenty of advice when you are doing yours wrong.

For David, that is exactly what makes it so much fun. Making chapati may look easy when you watch someone who has done it hundreds of times. Then you try rolling the dough yourself. Or cutting vegetables the way you were just shown. Or following instructions while several conversations and a lot of laughter are happening around you. Suddenly, lunch becomes a lesson. Food brings people together

There is no...Read More

August 2026: Behind the picture

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:13:35 -0700

The August Photo:
HOPE LIVES IN ACHOLI QUARTER

Hope Lives in Acholi Quarter

Can hope grow in one of Kampala's most disadvantaged communities?

Every Sunday, we see the answer.

Laughter fills the air.

Children gather to learn, play and share a warm meal.

Parents come together to support one another.

And our community centre becomes a place where hope is transformed into opportunity.

A Community with a Remarkable Story

Our Kampala project is located in Acholi Quarter, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Uganda's capital.

The community was originally established by families from northern Uganda, many of whom fled decades of conflict in search of safety and a fresh start. Although peace has returned, many families have remained, rebuilding their lives while facing the ongoing challenges of poverty, unemployment and limited opportunities.

Today, Acholi Quarter is a close-knit community where resilience, culture and strong family ties remain at the heart of daily life.A Community with a Remarkable Story

Our Kampala project is located in Acholi Quarter, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Uganda's capital.

Trimestral Report Jinja & Kampala April - June 2026

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:59:34 -0700

1. EDUCATION
Kampala

During the second quarter of 2026, the Education Program continued to provide consistent support to all sponsored children, ensuring they remained engaged in school and received the guidance needed throughout the transition between school terms.

In April, all children attended school regularly and actively participated in their studies. The Foundation maintained regular communication with schools, teachers, and guardians to monitor attendance, discipline, academic progress, and overall wellbeing. This close collaboration helped identify any challenges early and ensured that children received the support they needed. The first school term ended successfully, and all children returned home safely on 29 April 2026.

During the school holidays in May, staff continued to follow up with families through home visits and regular communication with parents and guardians. These visits helped monitor the children's wellbeing and encouraged them to remain focused on their education while preparing for the next school term.

Term Two began on 25 May 2026...Read More

From Survival to Stability:

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:47:36 -0700

At 22STARS Foundation, we believe that the best way to fight poverty is not by creating dependency, but by creating opportunity.

That is why, alongside education and nutrition for children, we also invest in the parents and caregivers in our communities. Through our Small Business Loan Program, families receive affordable loans, practical support and mentoring, allowing them to build sustainable businesses and provide for their children with dignity.

Today, we would love to introduce you to five incredible entrepreneurs whose determination and hard work are changing lives every single day.

Hajala Namatovu – Growing More Than Just Vegetables

When we recently visited Hajala, her market stall was overflowing with fresh tomatoes, onions, eggplants, peppers, rice, flour and many other products.

Using her loan, Hajala was able to officially rent a stall in Danida Market for an entire year and significantly expand her stock. She now serves both retail and wholesale customers and even supplies a nearby primary school with fresh produce.

What started as a small vegetable business has become a reliable source of income for her family.

Every customer who visits her stall brings her one step closer to financial independence.

Irene Irama – Fashion That Builds Confidence

Irene owns a boutique selling first-hand clothing in Danida.

With her business loan she travelled to Kampala to purchase new stock, invested in transport for the goods and even bought display mannequins to present her clothing professionally.

The difference is immediately visible.

July 2026: Behind the picture

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:03:40 -0700

The July Photo:
LIFE FLOWS FROM LAKE VICTORIA

Water connects people, communities and generations.

At the heart of East Africa lies Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. Shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, it has sustained millions of people for centuries through fishing, transport, agriculture and trade.

Both communities where the 22STARS Foundation works are located close to its shores.

Our community in Danida, Jinja, is just a short distance from Lake Victoria and from the place where the River Nile begins its remarkable journey north through eleven countries before reaching the Mediterranean Sea.

Our second community, Acholi Quarter in Kampala, is also situated relatively close to Lake Victoria. Uganda's capital was built on the northern shores of the lake, making water an important part of daily life for many of its residents.

Uganda: The Pearl of Africa

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. Despite having no coastline, the country is rich in lakes and rivers, with Lake Victoria playing a central role in its geography, economy and culture.

Its fertile soils and tropical climate make much of the country ideal for agriculture, while its diverse landscapes range from mountains and forests to savannahs and wetlands.

Every child deserves the opportunity to dream, learn, and build a better future. At 22STARS Foundation, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change—not only for individuals but for entire communities.

The stories below represent just a few of our Kampala alumni who, thanks to the generosity of sponsors and years of dedication, have transformed educational opportunities into meaningful careers, businesses, and lives of purpose. Today, they are teachers, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, managers, soldiers, artists, and parents who are giving back to their families and communities.

Each success story is a reminder that sponsorship is far more than paying school fees. It is an investment in human potential, empowering young people to become independent, confident, and capable of shaping their own futures.

Achayo Peace

After completing her education through the support of 22STARS Foundation, Achayo Peace secured an international remote position as a Sales Recovery Agent with Suncoast Sciences, a health and wellness company based in Miami, Florida. Working with clients across the globe, she helps recover sales opportunities, strengthen customer relationships, and support marketing initiatives. Her success demonstrates how quality education can open doors to international careers regardless of geographical location.

Achen Mercy

Achen Mercy is building valuable professional experience while working part-time at a busy supermarket. Every day she assists customers, manages merchandise displays, and supports store operations, developing strong communication, teamwork, and customer service skills. Her journey reflects the importance...Read More

Alumni stories from our graduates

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:14:15 -0700

Across Uganda, education continues to be one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of poverty and creating long-term opportunity. In Jinja, this impact is becoming visible through the real-life journeys of our alumni, young men and women whose lives have been transformed through consistent educational support.

These stories reflect more than individual achievement. They represent families strengthened, communities uplifted, and futures redefined.

Anna Mirembe:

From University Graduate to International Employment

In 2023, she graduated from Kyambogo University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Education. Shortly after, she returned to teach at her former school, Jinja Secondary School, giving back to the very community that supported her early journey.

Her path soon expanded beyond Uganda. Anna was later offered employment in Qatar, where she now works in a general hospital.

Her education has become a foundation for financial independence and global opportunity. Today, she is able to support her mother and siblings back in Uganda, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond her own success.

Anna continues to express deep gratitude for the foundation that supported her from the earliest stages of her education.

Kitalimwawe Shafic:

Building a Career in Construction and Finance

In 2024, he enrolled in barista training in Ntinda and gained initial work experience at Café Javas. Seeking further growth, he completed a short course in procurement and logistics, which opened new career pathways.

Today, Shafic works with ROKO Construction, one of Uganda’s leading construction companies, in the finance department. He is currently based...Read More

June 2026: Behind the picture

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:08:42 -0700

The June Photo:
WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN

What happens when women from different countries, cultures and backgrounds come together with one shared purpose?

Sometimes, they change hundreds of lives.

The story of the 22STARS Foundation has always been about people. And at the heart of that story are women who believe in lifting each other up, creating opportunities, and building stronger communities together.

Where It All Began

The journey started long before the foundation officially existed.

In 2012, Stella Airoldi founded 22STARS Jewellery, a Dutch social enterprise that partnered with talented artisans in Uganda. What began as a jewellery business with a social mission soon grew into something much bigger.

As relationships with local communities deepened, it became clear that sustainable change required more than employment alone. Education, nutrition and community development would become the next chapter.

In 2017, the 22STARS Foundation was officially established in the Netherlands to expand that impact.

Today, Stella serves as the Foundation's Founder and Executive Director, coordinating fundraising, partnerships and programme development together with an incredible local team in Uganda.

A Partnership Built on Trust

One of the most important chapters in our story began in 2009.

That was the year Stella...Read More

May 2026: Behind the picture

Fri, 01 May 2026 10:50:07 -0700

The May Photo:
THE ROAD TO SCHOOL

What if getting to school was one of the biggest challenges of your education?

For many children in Uganda, education is not simply about having a classroom to attend. Before the first lesson even begins, there is often a long journey ahead.

At the 22STARS Foundation, we support children in two communities: Kampala and Jinja. While many nursery and primary schools are located within walking distance of the communities where our children live, the situation changes significantly once they move on to secondary education..

Why Secondary School Is Different

Uganda has many small primary schools spread throughout local neighbourhoods. This allows younger children to walk to school each morning.

Secondary schools, however, are much fewer in number and often located many kilometres away. For many families, travelling to and from school every day would mean walking for several hours or paying transport costs they simply cannot afford.

That is why boarding school is the most common option for secondary students in Uganda.

Unlike in many European countries, boarding school is not considered a luxury. It is often the only practical way for children to continue their education safely and consistently.

Living at school also gives students access to evening study time, school meals, and a structured environment that allows them to focus on learning.

👁️ What if a child simply can’t see?

Not because they are sick.
Not because they are not trying.

But because no one ever tested their eyes.

This is the reality for many children in Uganda.

🤍 6,000€

already committed

Two weeks ago, I, Stella Airoldi, sat together with our long term partners.
Discussing the current situation in Uganda and new plans.
And once again, they said yes.

6,000€.

Together with
WIR HELFEN SEHEN and Walzer Optik,

we are bringing eyesight testing and glasses
directly to the children.

✨ The moment that changes everything

There is one moment I will never get used to: