Student Global Ambassadors June 2006 Uganda Immersion a Success!
Kampala, Uganda
June 25, 2006

Global Youth Partnership for Africa recently completed its Student Global Ambassadors: June 2006 Uganda Immersion. The two-week Immersion program involved 16 American undergraduate and graduate students interested in working alongside Ugandan 'social entrepreneurs' in the areas of HIV/AIDS, income-generating activities, and peace/conflict issues. In Kampala, Ft. Portal (western Uganda), and Gulu (northern Uganda), the group met with a wide array of accomplished young leaders who possess the necessary ambition and skills to bring about constructive and sustainable change in their communities.
Associate Director Josh Goldstein commented, "The Immersion was a huge success! Both the Ugandan and the American participants left the Immersion energized and excited about future partnerships. Further, they left with a more in-depth understanding about the development challenges facing Uganda."
As the Immersion participants well know, GYPA measures the success of these programs not by the number of airline seats filled, but by the number of Ambassadors who remain engaged in various projects after they return home. GYPA supports this engagement in two ways: through initiating educational programs at American universities to challenge conventional and often distorted views of contemporary Africa, and through maintaining direct partnerships between American and Ugandan entrepreneurs.
Critically, the contributions Immersion participants make need not be monetary; the connections and enthusiasm shared between Americans and Ugandans are inherently valuable. In a country with a per capita GDP of less than $1,800 per person, Ugandans who create community projects are often operating alone and under very difficult circumstances. The relationships established during GYPA’s Immersion program provide not only lasting friendships, but business opportunities as well.
That being said, small amounts of money may leave a large impact when intelligently and practically utilized. Here is just one of the many amazing stories of Immersion participants taking the initiative to help their Ugandan counterparts:
For over three years, GYPA has been working with the Namuwongo Women's Group, an income-generating project staffed by women living in extreme poverty on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda. Here poverty results in the usual milieu of health problems, poor sanitation, and a lack of access to education. Despite significant obstacles, these women have come together to create handicrafts such as necklaces, bracelets, and baskets. Through GYPA’s Washington office, these female entrepreneurs are able to sell them throughout the world.
The leader of the group, Immaculate Alaso, spoke passionately to the Immersion group about her work. She showcased some of her pieces, and talked briefly about her business plan and the need for more sewing machines in order to increase their production capacity. The next day, several of the students decided that they wanted to raise money to buy a sewing machine for the Women's Group. So many Immersion participants were interested in helping that the group pooled over $300, enough to buy the Women’s Group five new sewing machines! This simple, strategic investment will allow the Women's Group to build capacity and fill more orders while still granting them the time to take care of their families.

Here are a few of the other projects that students took a special interested in staying involved in:

• Gomo Tong/Girls Kick It
• Namuwongo Women's Group
• Namuwongo Youth Group
• Koome Islands Ball Project- An innovative project that blends environmental issues, education issues, and income-generating activities
• Northern Uganda Peace Initiative
• YES Hostel – A project supporting the education of orphans in Ft. Portal
• Kyanyawara Environment Project (Ft. Portal)