Making quality education accessible for all of Uganda’s women and children is no small task, but AIA has the best partners to help guide our journey. We work intimately with the parents, students, local leaders, and most importantly educators throughout the Wakiso District, to understand each school community’s unique needs and connect them with essential resources, tools, and training.

Last week, the Primary Five AIA Scholars participated in our end-of-term Quiz Bowl. Students from our partner schools and community members across Nakuwadde came to The Center to watch our scholars compete for the prized Center Cup. 

I've been so eager to share all the details from my recent trip to Uganda! Our Aspen High School students and I just returned from a nine-day immersion trip in Nakuwadde. I can’t thank you all enough for helping us provide our AHS students with this opportunity for cultural exchange and education. It was a trip like this that inspired me to start the AIA Club chapter when I made my first visit to Uganda 15 years ago. What we’ve accomplished since then is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s been amazing to watch the club, AIA, and the Center grow together.

By the time you read this message, the wheels of my plane will just be touching down in Uganda. This is an extra special trip because next week - for the first time in three very long years - six students from Aspen High's School's Action in Africa Club will be joining me in Uganda for a 9-day immersion trip to connect with our community in Nakuwadde. I am so proud of how hard this group has worked to support AIA, from organizing events to raising money and spreading awareness about our mission. This is truly a special group of kids and I'm thrilled to show them firsthand the impact that they - and the entire Aspen community - are making in Uganda every day.

If you’re a longtime friend of Action In Africa, you may know that the organization was established 17 years ago during our Founder Sarah’s sophomore year at Aspen High School. If you’re new here, welcome! Action In Africa began as a high school club raising funds for various African organizations, and has since grown into a thriving organization that provides free life-changing programs to thousands of individuals in Nakuwadde, Uganda. Under Sarah's guidance, Action in Africa has experienced remarkable growth yet we’re always reminded that this organization’s roots are planted at Aspen High School, where dozens of students continue Sarah’s legacy. And this month, after three very long years interrupted by COVID-19, Ebola, as well as tremendous organizational growth and change, the current Aspen High School club is traveling to Uganda to visit Action In Africa’s community center. 

Photos from AIA Gratitude Dinner with Chinobay.

It's always exciting to be at The Center and see the impact of our collective efforts in Nakuwadde, but our most recent trip was special. AIA has experienced significant growth this year, and our visit at the end of May provided the perfect opportunity for Amber and me, our longest-tenured staff members, to bond with our new UG Team staff, align ourselves, and rejuvenate in preparation for tackling bigger goals in the second half of this year. We have numerous plans in store for our UG and US-based communities. We hope you'll join us on this journey, follow along, and invite a friend to witness where we've been and where we're headed next. Here's our last six months in 60 seconds!

Education is the foundation for a happy, healthy life, but it’s difficult to focus on learning when there’s a lack of basic medical services. AIA isn’t a medical organization, but we are a community-led nonprofit. So, we were eager to help The Center’s visitors after so many mothers expressed the need for more accessible healthcare services in Nakuwadde.