A team from AAH Uganda led by founder John Wanda and COO, Nelson Kamoti in company of H.E Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi met with the new USA Ambassador to Uganda H.E William W. Popp at the USA Embassy in Kampala. The meeting was purposed to strengthen the relationship between the two partners and explore avenues for more support of the AAH programs.
Each year, the Reading Challenge is launched to encourage our students to read because the more they read, the smarter they become. This has helped them to improve and excel in their studies. The 2023 Reading Challenge theme was WILD ABOUT READING. This was an interesting theme which enabled teachers and students to read as many books as possible. The event ran from July to October 2023. The student who read the highest number of books was Wataka Mary Ritah from Grade 5. She read more than 400 books. This activity enables students to acquire new vocabulary, learn phrases, sentences and learn cultures of different people. With the reading challenge, the academic performance of students has gradually improved.
Hon Ssekandi poses for a photo with founder John and other dignitaries
Uganda’s former speaker of parliament and vice president, HE Hon Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi visited Arlington Academy of Hope on 22nd September 2023. He toured the Arlington Secondary and Vocational School under construction led by AAH co-founder, John Wanda and other adminitrative staff of AAH Uganda. This came at a time when the organization is creating more partnerships and fostering relationships that could lead to raising funds for the construction of the international school located in mountainous areas of Bududa.
It was a previledge for him to stop and greet the business community in Kikholo town council during a market day, which is a fast growing business town neighbouring Arlington Junior School. He later paid a visit to Bumwalukani Muslim Primary School within the same locality and applauded the administration for upholding the future of the nation through education.
At AAH, he was warmly welcomed by the students, staff, parents and other officials from the Bududa district local government and government ministries. In his remarks, he thanked the founders of the organization for bearin such a vision that promotes education, health and community development. He still pledged support for the development of programs and the secondary school in construction.
A section of students on the secondary sponsorship program undertake specialized training on ICT concepts in database design during the holiday program. With ICT competency as one of our goals, it definitely becomes a priority that all students are equipped with. ICT is taught by students at all levels on our program and also by all members of staff for teaching and administrative work.
Students on the secondary sponsorship program during the school holiday take part in regular physical activity. This routine exercise is intended to keep them fit, sharp and also help to battle categories of illnesses associated with obesity, pressure and stress. This is one way of effectively having a healthy body to improve academic performance. All students and members of staff are encouraged to be part of this very helpful culture that promotes healthy work relationships and productivity.
REACH for Uganda’s Adult and Working Trip participants arrived in Uganda with AAH founder John Wanda on July 29. They are working on different projects as they mentor young AAH graduate Interns who will continue the projects after the volunteers return to the US. The volunteers on this trip include Ritch Viola, Lynne Willhoit, Linda Valentino, Jim Hussey, Clark Petersen, Jim Angel, Dean Scribner, and Amy Angel. Founders John and Joyce Wanda accompanied this team.
REACH Board member Ani Arzomoonian led a group of nine teens from Northern Virginia area high schools on a visit to Uganda to work on our programs. The travelers included Caitlin Good, Bailey Leach, Christian Leach, Sophia O’Connell, Audrey Pocrass, Amity Pratt, Audrey Shiplett, Ava Signorelli, and Bobby Signorelli. The teens worked with students at Arlington and Matuwa Junior schools and alongside our staff at the Beatrice Tierney clinics. Teens kicked off the reading challenge at Matuwa and Arlington junior schools. Each teen had a passion project which they shared with our students in Uganda. A highlight for some students was visiting the home of their sponsored students. The teens were fully involved in all the school activities including participating in the mother-daughter day at AJS.
The long awaited dream for many children and people in Eastern Uganda is about to become a reality. The co-founders John and Joyce Wanda were onsite on August 12 to participate in a colorful groundbreaking ceremony for the Arlington Secondary and Vocational School in Kikholo town, Bududa district in Uganda. Hon. Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu , Minister for Karamoja Affairs and Member of Parliament for Manafwa District was the Guest of Honor. She was joined by area members of parliament: Hon. Isaac Modoi, Hon. John Baptiste Nambeshe, LC 5 Chair Bududa district, other district officials and American friends and board members at the ribbon cutting ceremony, The ceremony marked the start of preliminary works, including road access, site infrastructure, water connections, fencing, and final preparations before construction starts in earnest. AAH Co-founders John and Joyce Wanda REACH board members Dean Scribner, Jim Angel, Amy Angel and many REACH for Uganda US friends and donors like Jim Hussey, Lynne Willhoit, Richard Viola, Clark Petersen, Linda Valentino, and many Ugandan friends and supporters joined the minister as she cut the ribbon and planted trees along the prospective road to the school.
