Sponsorship
Our sponsorship program funds a student through 15+ years of education, starting from nursery school and continuing through university or vocational training. We strive to enroll our students in the best Ugandan schools. Connect Africa goes above and beyond by providing support for the complete student, encompassing emotional, medical, dental, and HIV-related needs.
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Co-directors Lynn and Charles provide personal attention to the needs of each student and family throughout their education and help launch them into adulthood.
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Our students embrace our core values of taking personal responsibility for their future, with the understanding that their success
will strengthen their families, community,
and country.
"Like a caring parent, Connect Africa wished the best for me, carefully choosing the correct standard of the school I would join. Hard work coupled with continual counseling from Charles and Lynn paid off and I excelled. I realize that the people in charge of our lives at Connect Africa are generous individuals who really listen, understand, respect our emotions and gently guide us."
– Sembatya Raymond,
with CAF 2007-2014
Connect Africa’s mission to provide loans was born when elders in the community stated, “We do not want to be beggars; we want our own income.” Our philosophy of awarding loans differs significantly from other micro-financing organizations in the following ways:
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Recipients are often people who do not read or write.
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Loans are interest-free.
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Loan contracts are tailored to each family’s needs.
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Families receive assistance with savings and long-term planning.
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Monthly monitoring of businesses is provided.
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Upon completion, a donation is made to help others.
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Both men and women receive loans.
Connect Africa maintains a 95% success rate of loan repayment, which we attribute to our grassroots presence in the villages where we operate.
Loans
Community Campus
The community campus serves as a hub for the numerous activities we host and sponsor. In 2010, 2 1/2 acres of land were purchased in the village of Joggo to establish a community campus for the village and its surrounding areas. This campus includes a guest house, library, large play area, and vocational training center.
Children's Academic Enrichment Program
Every Saturday – and three times a week during school holidays – over 50 children come together on the community campus for lessons in academics, life skills, peer relationships, group play, and cultural singing and dancing. After their lessons, the children enjoy a cup of hot porridge and bread.
Activities
Connect Africa provides an opportunity for adults to gather. Business enterprises have included selling local crafts like baskets and jewelry, opening a bakery, and knitting dolls for an American company, in addition to making and selling soap.
Library
A couple who stayed at the guest house came to meet the student they were sponsoring and were so inspired by our work they fundraised for the construction of a library. They then sent 500+ books, and the library had a grand opening in 2013. Many school-age children and adults, who had never held a book, now enjoy the library.
Computers
A donor who works for Dell began visiting Connect Africa in 2012. He was determined to bring computers to the library to augment the children's learning. He purchased laptops and downloaded educational programs for learners of all ages, along with resources for high-level professional use.
Connect Africa Vocational Institute
In 2006, the directors realized that Uganda needed skilled labor. In addition, not every child has the opportunity to attend school. This results in many illiterate youth who are unable to create a sustainable future for themselves.
Ambrose, a student at the Vocational Institute in 2021-2023, trained
in Building and Construction.
In 2016, thanks to the generosity of donors, the Vocational Institute was built to assist young people acquire practical job skills.
All the courses offered are aligned with the needs of Uganda, which are:
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Hairdressing
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Plumbing
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Electrical Installation
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Building and Construction
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Catering and Hotel Management
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Fashion and Design
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Metal Fabrication
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Carpentry
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Information and Communication Technology
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In addition to the above, all students learn computer skills, entrepreneurship and life skills, ensuring successful personal and interpersonal interactions.
Aisha, a Vocational Fashion and Design student showing off her work.