Change a Life Uganda

In August of 2006, Jean Semler and David Thelen traveled to central Uganda. Meeting the Ugandan parents, children, teachers, women’s groups, as well as seeing the schools and health centers, was a life-changing experience. The couple committed themselves to improving the lives of these children and their families in the villages of Nabbingo and Migyera. In March 2007, ChangeALife Uganda became incorporated as a NJ non-profit corporation and in April 2008, received its 501c3 designation.   As of 2018, our implementing partner in Uganda is GTI – Grassroots Transformation Initiative Uganda, a NGO (Non-Government Organization).   

Education is the cornerstone of our mission: We provide education for children through school-based programs. We also reach out to their families to help them become self-sufficient through an adult education program, income-generating projects and access to quality healthcare. For rural Migyera, our multi-pronged approach is already becoming a model of excellence in the following areas:

Education:  CAL Uganda’s programs have increased school enrollment, school attendance, and graduation rates for children in Migyera.  Our sponsorship program offers supporters the opportunity to sponsor a child’s education from primary school through secondary school on to post secondary programs or the University.  St. Lawrence School in 2005 was a substandard, poor rural school with 90 students and 4 teachers.  In 2019 it has more than 500 students, 20 teachers and is ranked #2 our of 181 primary schools in the Nakasongola School District.  The school also provides dormitory space for up to 80 female and 80 male students who are orphaned, live far from school, or have difficult family situations, providing the students with a safe place to sleep, receive meals, and obtain academic support.

Income Generating Projects: Uganda’s economy is principally an agrarian one. Because of two dry seasons, families who rely on agriculture for their livelihood earn very little. In fact, 52% of the population earns less than $1.25/day (according to UNICEF 2008). CAL Uganda, through a modified micro-finance model, offers programs to reduce poverty and increase financial independence.  Funds For Farming is a cooperative effort between local farmers and students providing goats, pigs, cows and chickens for students and families to raise for food and income.

Healthcare: The goal of ChangeALife Uganda’s healthcare program is to provide an opportunity for children and their families to access better health services including clean water, maternal and child health care, general pediatric and adult healthcare, HIV and malaria treatment in Migyera.  The St. Francis Health Center was opened in 2012 and services expanded to offer minor surgery in 2017 and C-Sections in 2018. The health center provides access to  over 400 clients for HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy, and disease management through our  partnership with Mildmay Uganda. 

In 2014 a 512' well and 50,000 liter water tank was completed bringing clean drinking water to the school, health center and the village of Migyera.