Our trimestral reports are written by Susan Laker for our Kampala programs and by Aidah Wafula for our Jinja programs. In addition to our Child-Sponsorship Program we run additional programs throughout the year benefitting all children and their community. This report shows the programs that have been running the trimester April-June 2025. We also invite you to check out our Instagram stories to find out more about the activities that we carried out during this time.
1. EDUCATION
Kampala
Throughout the months of April, May, and June, the education program in Kampala remained dynamic and impactful. April began with holiday time for our students. On the 14th, we visited Hope Land School and brought food to the children as part of the nutrition program, enriching their diet during their school break. Shortly after, on the 19th of April, term one holidays began for Hope Land School students and later on the 25th for those in Elgon School. We also had the pleasure of hosting visitors, Daneil and Morris, who shared a special lunch with the children.
In May, the new academic term began. On the 18th, all our 22STARS beneficiaries in both primary and secondary boarding schools returned to class. The Ugandan education curriculum now incorporates immediate examinations at the beginning of term, making it crucial for every child to be present from day one. Parents were encouraged to engage during mid-term visitation days, especially for those students who may need extra academic support. Fortunately, none of our students dropped out, and everyone resumed their studies successfully.
By June, all school fees for our beneficiaries had been cleared. Academic follow-ups revealed strong performance across the board. While a few children are still catching up due to slower learning pace, their progress remains steady. Educational excursions took place, including a tour to Kasenyi Lakeside for primary students, which ties into their social studies curriculum, and seminar exchanges with other schools for secondary students to promote motivation and creativity. We are proud to report that all national exam registration fees have been paid, ensuring our students are fully prepared for the upcoming mock and national exams. While many families in Uganda struggle to support their children’s education, your support has guaranteed continued learning and life-changing opportunities for our 22STARS children.
Jinja
Over the course of this trimester, the education program in Jinja has continued to run steadily and effectively. The first academic term officially ended on the 25th of April for children attending private schools, while those in government institutions completed the term a week later, on the 2nd of May. The second term commenced on the 26th of May for most private schools and was followed shortly thereafter by the reopening of government schools in early June.
We are happy to report that all sponsored children remain actively enrolled in school, with no dropouts or new additions to the program during this reporting period. School fees for Term Two were successfully paid for all students by the 30th of May.
Throughout the trimester, we carried out several school visits to institutions including Kidron Nursery and Primary School, Abba Father Junior School, Fr. Bodewig Nursery and Primary School, and Jinja Progressive Academy. These visits allowed us to engage with teachers and monitor the academic performance and well-being of our students. The children continue to attend their classes regularly, and there is evident improvement in discipline and enthusiasm towards their studies.
All report cards were collected, scanned, and shared, with the exception of child 238 – Wafula Esther, who is currently attending university. As university assessments follow a semester-based system, her academic progress will be reported later in the year. While most students showed promising academic results, one case raised concern. Child 392 – Nakato Zuraika has been reported by her teachers as potentially having a learning disability, which limits her capacity to benefit fully from the traditional school environment she is currently in. Based on their recommendations, we are now exploring the possibility of transitioning her to a special needs school better equipped to support her educational development.
On a positive note, we received confirmation from Abba Father Junior School and Fr. Bodewig Nursery and Primary School that our Primary Seven candidates have been successfully registered for the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations. These examinations are essential for progressing to secondary school. In line with Ugandan tradition, farewell parties were held in June for these candidates, celebrating their milestone and offering encouragement for the upcoming national exams.
Efforts to involve parents more closely in their children’s education continued during this period. We held several meetings where we emphasized the importance of parental involvement and clarified that, for the time being, 22STARS is only covering school fees. Parents were encouraged to visit their children at school regularly and to actively support their learning journey at home, wherever possible.
In addition to formal education, our center continued to offer extracurricular and academic support programs. Computer classes were conducted daily for students in non-candidate classes, helping them acquire basic digital skills. Every Saturday, we dedicated time to support students with their homework, especially those who may not receive help at home. These sessions are also crucial for supporting slow learners, ensuring that they do not fall behind.
2. NUTRITION PROGRAM
Kampala
The nutrition program remained a central pillar throughout this trimester. In April, we provided hot meals to 249 children each Sunday at the office. Meals included rice with groundnut sauce and silverfish, as well as beans and posho. Prior to meals, educational talks were held to highlight the importance of programs such as computer literacy and education in general. On certain Sundays, meals were served up the hill, allowing all children to gather at once due to the large numbers we now host.
In May and June, Sunday lunches continued regularly, offering nutritious meals that included rice, G-nut sauce, silverfish, and beans with posho. Before lunch, we used the opportunity to continue our motivational talks with the children. The sense of community fostered through shared meals and learning remains a strong source of unity and encouragement for the children.
Jinja
3. HEALTH AND EYE-CARE PROGRAM
Kampala
April marked the start of a difficult health journey for our Kampala project manager, Susan Laker, who began experiencing serious symptoms and was advised to undergo testing and counseling at the cancer institute. A fundraiser was initiated by Stella to assist with medical costs, providing Susan with much-needed courage and support. The effort deeply touched Susan, who shared how this act restored her hope during a very frightening time. In June, Susan’s medical process continued, and she received an access number to retrieve her medical file. Preliminary treatment started based on symptoms that first appeared in April and were suspected to resemble cancer-related illnesses.
In addition, we sadly lost the mother of two of our beneficiary children — Lamwaka Doreen and Atyeno Rosa — after a critical illness in mid-June. With support from the 22STARS team in Europe, the girls were transported from school to bid farewell to their mother in Kitgum, near the South Sudan border. The girls were then brought back to school and are now under the full care of the foundation. A detailed proposal will follow to secure continued support for them as total orphans.
Jinja
During the month of April, three children—Aloka Jemima, Nangobi Gidah, and Kagoya Catherine—presented with notable health concerns, including asthma, chest complications, and severe malaria, respectively. These cases were attended to accordingly, and we are monitoring their progress. Aside from these instances, the overall health of the children remained stable throughout the trimester.
In May, we observed minor cases of flu and cough, likely due to the high levels of dust during the dry season. These were mild and did not significantly disrupt school attendance or participation in programs.
A significant development in June was the distribution of water filters to several families and schools, including Abba Father Junior School. These filters are helping to ensure access to clean, safe drinking water, especially for children in boarding sections. This intervention is expected to contribute to a reduction in waterborne diseases and is part of our broader strategy to improve public health within the community.
Kampala
April and May were rich in community moments. In April, we celebrated Easter with the children and their families, coming together in prayer and shared meals, made possible through generous donations. In May, we observed International Labor Day and received a visit from Verena, a supporter from Germany. She spent time in Acholi Quarter, shared local food with the children, and showed interest in supporting children not yet enrolled in school. She also purchased handmade paper bead jewelry from our artisan women, helping to support their livelihoods.
Later in May, we held a beautiful exchange with Daniela, a volunteer from Brazil. Together, we explored the parallels between life in Kampala and in Brazil, discussing challenges such as poverty, substance abuse, lack of clean water and electricity, and discrimination, including that faced by transgender individuals. These reflections helped foster a deeper sense of global connection and understanding.
Jinja
Our engagement with schools and community institutions remained strong throughout the trimester. On April 25th, we participated in end-of-term meetings at Abba Father Junior School and Fr. Bodewig Nursery and Primary School. These meetings offered valuable insights and reinforced the importance of parental involvement in children's education.
Another highlight in May was the acquisition of a solar eco-stove for our office kitchen. This environmentally friendly stove has significantly improved our cooking processes and reduced the consumption of firewood, thereby supporting sustainability. We extend our sincere gratitude to the donors who made this possible.