08/21/2024
Dear Family & Friends,
I hope this post finds you well.
I am excited to share a significant update for Lasting Smiles Uganda. We have launched a $50,000 Summer Matching Funds Capital Challenge! Through the generosity of one of our founding donors, they have agreed to provide a 100% match once we reach $50,000 in donations. If we reach this amount our donor will match with $50,000 for a total of $100,000!
This campaign ends September 30th, 2024 and will help us fund 3 critical projects: new teacher housing for 10 teachers ($55,000), outdoor recreation/play equipment ($25,000), and additional desks ($10,000). This project is crucial for the Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports certification, as well as enhancing our ongoing services to the children at the school.
We have made significant progress, thanks to the generosity of past donors, and we are now reaching out to our extended community to invite you to be a part of this transformative effort.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Make a Donation: Your contribution will directly support the 3 projects mentioned above. Donations of any size are appreciated and will make a meaningful difference. Click the link to be sent directly to our giving page: Summer 50% Matching Fund Challenge
https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/b_KMyAKLM3GFFZwjzW2enA
2. Become a Campaign Advocate: Help us spread the word by sharing our campaign needs with your network. Your support can help us reach new potential donors who share our vision.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support Lasting Smiles Uganda. Together, we can make a significant difference and build a brighter future for the children and teachers in Kyajja, Uganda through the work of Pastor Semei and Susan.
If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact our Director of Development, Aaron Hall ([email protected]). We are grateful for your considered support and look forward to partnering with you on this important journey.
Read the July newsletter giving more information on the developments we've accomplished over the last several years and meet some of the children.
https://www.lastingsmilesuganda.org/blog/pwpi7p6bosupj0cw4kfb4ihg17hcc6
This all started when an old women in the village approached Pastor Semei offering him her .5 acres of land that is all she had, but said he had to build a school to bring the community out of the deep poverty they live in, the likes we could never relate to. We can't change the whole world but we can help to change this village and it's future.
We've gone from the kids walking a mile each way with 5 gal. buckets on their heads through dangerous territory for tainted water that had to be boiled to make safe for drinking. We now have a well for them, that's when I got involved. We only spend about 2-5% of the money collected for required administration costs such as insurance but all the rest goes directly to benefit the kids and the mission. We also have the opportunity to visit the school and village should you ever want to see Africa or take a safari. This is a unique opportunity to get directly involved by contributing to our matching fund and/or sponsoring a child for $85/month so they can attend the secondary school which is so vitually important for the kids to graduate and be able to get viable employment so they can help support their families and the community. I would be happy to introduce you to the children and share some of their stories. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sue Armstrong
Lasting Smiles Uganda is a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization, FEIN #84-1966244. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law as no goods or services were provided in exchange for your donation. Please retain this letter for your tax records.
We wanted to provide an update on the school and all things that are happening at Lasting Smiles. By now, 2024 is halfway over, and we are still counting our blessings and seeing God’s faithfulness! In the last half-year, we have built flush toilets, prepared and served 223,000 meals to the kids, ...
