FOUNDATION 22STARS / Empower families in Uganda through Education, Local Leadership and Entrepreneurship

22STARS & WIR HELFEN SEHEN: Real impact

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:39:39 -0700

👁️ 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:

Today, we are not just celebrating a birthday…
We are celebrating impact, courage, and real change.

🤍 Happy Birthday, Maurice Bork!

✨ The moment that changed everything

About 2 years ago, Maurice had a simple idea for his birthday:

👉 Instead of gifts… ask his community to sponsor a child.

What happened next?
It didn’t just help.
It changed our entire world.

💔 The challenge we were facing

At that time, we were under immense pressure.

More than 100 children were growing up and moving into secondary boarding school
→ which means double the cost of primary education.

April 2026: Behind the picture

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:54:17 -0700

The April Photo:
MEALS MADE WITH LOVE

Why a Meal Can Change Everything

What if going to school hungry was your everyday reality?

For many children in Uganda, this is not an exception. It is normal life.

In the communities where we work, one of the biggest challenges families face today is food insecurity. Over the past 10 years, climate change has led to more frequent droughts, directly impacting farmers and driving food prices up.

At the same time, the areas we work in are densely populated urban communities, where families do not have access to land for farming. This means they are entirely dependent on buying food, often at prices they simply cannot afford.

The result is devastating.

And behind that number are real children.

Children who go to bed hungry.
Children who struggle to concentrate in school.
Children whose health and development are at risk.

Why Nutrition Matters

It is about survival.
It is about growth.
It is about opportunity.

A well nourished child is healthier, stronger, and better able to learn. Investing in nutrition, especially for children and adolescents, is one of the most powerful ways to improve education outcomes and long term livelihoods.

Because a child who is hungry cannot focus.

And a child who cannot focus cannot reach their full potential.

Our Approach: More Than Just Meals

Through school sponsorships, children receive meals during school days. But we quickly realized this was not enough.

That is why, since October 2016, we have been providing weekly...Read More

Trimestral Report Jinja & Kampala October - December 2025

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:36:25 -0700

1. EDUCATION
Kampala

The last quarter of 2025 has been an active period for the education program in Kampala. Throughout October, November, and December, all children remained consistently engaged in their academic journey, supported by the Foundation’s continuous efforts.

In October, all candidates in Primary 7, Senior 4, and Senior 6 successfully registered and sat for their national examinations after receiving the necessary financial support. This ensured that no child was excluded due to lack of school fees. Additionally, regular follow-ups were conducted with boarding schools, including visits to Hopeland Boarding School, where the team engaged with both students and teachers to assess academic progress, discuss challenges, and identify practical solutions. These visits also provided an opportunity to motivate students through personal storytelling and mentorship.

By November, all students had completed their end-of-term examinations, and candidates finalized their national exams without any cases of school dropout, disciplinary...Read More

A New School Year Has Started!

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:35:24 -0800

Uganda Update: Jinja & Kampala

Schools in Uganda officially reopened on 10th February 2026, following an eight-day extension from the initial reopening date of 2nd February. The extension allowed the national elections to be completed before students traveled back to school.

We are pleased to share an update from both Jinja and Kampala regarding our sponsored children.

JINJA

All our sponsored children from Nursery to Primary Six, as well as Senior Two to Senior Four and Senior Six, reported back to school on 10th February 2026.

The children returned filled with joy and excitement and ready to start the new academic year.

As of the end of February, the students that reported back to school in Jinja are the following:

164 children in Nursery and Primary School
54 Secondary School students
1 University student
The March Photo:
KIDS SHAPE TOMORROW
Be the Reason a Child Stays in School
Can you imagine your child growing up without ever learning how to read or write?
For many families in Uganda, this is still reality.
At the 22stars Foundation, we work with children whose parents were forced to flee their homes during more than 20 years of civil war. Many settled in areas like Acholi Quarter in Kampala, where survival often depends on hard, physical labor.
Even today, children as young as 3 years old are working to help provide food for their families.
Not because they want to.
Because they have no other choice.
Education Changes Everything
A child in school is a child who no longer needs to beg on the streets.
A child in school gains the tools to build a future.
A child in school has a chance to break the cycle of poverty.
Education also protects.
It reduces the risk of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and exploitation. It empowers children to make informed decisions about their health, their lives, and their future.
And the impact goes far beyond one child.
An educated child becomes an adult who can support their family, strengthen their community, and contribute to the economy of their country.
This Is Not a Donation to a System
You are supporting one real child.
One name.
One story.
One future.
100% of your donation goes directly toward that child’s education in Uganda.
What Your Sponsorship Provides
Your support covers everything a...Read More

February 2026: Behind the picture

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 10:31:44 -0800

The February Photo:
DANCE IS THE SOUL OF CULTURE
Music Is Life
How Sound, Rhythm, and Creativity Are Shaping Futures in Jinja
For over 4 years, music has become an essential part of life at our 22stars Foundation center in Jinja.
But music here is more than just sound.
It is culture. It is education. It is identity.
In the communities we work with, music has always played a central role in raising and guiding the next generation. Long before formal education systems existed, parents and elders passed on knowledge through storytelling, riddles, proverbs, traditional dance, and local instruments.
Through these forms of expression, children learned discipline, communication, and life skills that prepared them for adulthood.
Music was never just entertainment.
It was a way of life.
The Challenge: Talent Without Access
Despite the deep cultural importance of music, access to instruments and structured learning has been extremely limited.
The January Photo:
EDUCATION IS KEY
Building Dreams with the “Freiheitspaket”
The New Dormitory at Abba Father Junior School
In Jinja, the need for a school with a dormitory had been growing for a long time.
For many children, the situation at home had become increasingly challenging. Safe, stable environments were not always guaranteed, making it difficult for them to focus on their education. At the same time, the schools we were working with in Jinja did not have boarding facilities.
This changed in 2024.
Thanks to the incredible support of the Freiheitspaket team, we were able to complete a brand new dormitory at Abba Father Junior School. A milestone that is already transforming lives.
A Place That Feels Like Home
Imagine stepping into a space that feels safe, calm, and welcoming.
That is exactly what this dormitory provides.
Gone are the days of overcrowded and poorly ventilated sleeping areas. The new building offers spacious, well ventilated rooms with a comfortable indoor climate, located on the first floor for added safety and privacy.
This is more than just a dormitory.
It is a place where children can rest, feel secure, and simply be children. A place where they can dream.
Real Impact on Everyday Life
The difference is already visible.
Students are happier, more energized, and more focused. With improved living conditions, health issues have decreased, allowing them to fully concentrate on their education and personal growth.
Currently,...Read More

Merry Xmas from the 22STARS kids

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 07:54:18 -0800

This Christmas, something very special happened within our 22STARS family.
In both Kampala and Jinja, our centers opened their doors to celebrate Christmas with the children and families we walk alongside every day. For many of them, Christmas usually passes quietly, without gifts, without a special meal, and often without the feeling of being celebrated. Since we started our programs we have decided to change that.
On the morning of December 24th, our community came together early. Volunteers, parents, and local women went to the markets, carried food back to the centers, lit the fires, and began cooking. Pots were stirred, vegetables chopped, laughter shared. It wasn’t just about preparing food — it was about preparing a moment.
By midday, the spaces were full of life. Children arrived smiling, curious, excited. Music started playing, Christmas songs mixed with traditional rhythms, and soon the centers were filled with singing and dancing. The children didn’t need much encouragement — they jumped in, clapping, moving, laughing, simply being children.
Together, in Kampala and Jinja, we welcomed more than 500 children and young people, along with caregivers, parents, and staff. They shared a Christmas meal, sat together, danced together, and celebrated together. For some of these children, this was the only Christmas meal they would have. For many, it was the only place where Christmas truly felt like Christmas.
What stayed with us most were not the numbers, but the faces. The way the children ate with joy. The way they danced without shyness. The way they stayed close, not wanting the day to end. Our team and caregivers shared how different the atmosphere felt — lighter, warmer, full of connection. You could see it in the small things: children serving each other food, laughing in groups, holding hands while dancing.
These moments are the heart of 22STARS. Beyond programs and support, we believe every child deserves to feel...Read More

Calendar 2026: Behind the picture

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:33:54 -0800

THE COVER PHOTO:
In this image, you can see our sponsored children from 22STARS at the Abba School in Jinja.
Hey there, Wonderful Reader!
Get ready to dive into a vibrant journey with our 2026 charity calendar! We are thrilled to share the inspiring work happening in Uganda thanks to our fantastic team and the support of our sponsors and donors. We can’t wait for you to experience it with us. This year, each month features breathtaking analog photographs created by the talented artist Kirsten Dünner, also known as Lily, who joined our Social Impact Trip in 2024.
Her analog lens captures moments in a vivid and timeless way, full of spontaneity, dust, and unforgettable encounters. For Lily, analog photography holds something mystical and enduring. It requires a different way of seeing the world and a more mindful approach that deeply inspires her. Her images feel honest and unposed.
Designed by our founder and program manager Stella Airoldi, this calendar is so much more than a collection of images. Each photograph draws you into a real moment, a piece of life in Uganda filled with emotion, colour, and connection. You can scan the QR code on each page to jump straight to our Linktree, where every month you’ll discover a unique blog post with stories and insights behind the featured image.
Let’s make 2026 a year of hope, impact, and meaningful change together.
Read More