Focus on Uganda.

I've been reading about several different organizations and recently realized that they all operate, at least in part, in Uganda. I've always been partial to East Africa since that's where my first name is from, so shall we visit Uganda?

* Nyaka AIDS Orphans School serves some of the 1.7 million children in Uganda who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. The founders, Twesigye Jackson Kaguri and his wife, Beronda Montgomery-Kaguri (my junior and senior high school friend!) and the students at Nyaka, would really appreciate your financial and other support. Learn more about Nyaka School in the November 18th post.

* Beatrice Biira was a Ugandan girl who didn't go to school and lived in poverty with her family until they received a goat from Heifer International. Milk and meat nourished the family. Excess was sold and the profits paid for school fees and uniforms. Years later, Beatrice is now in college in he US. Read her story in the children's book Beatrice's Goat. Change more lives for the better by supporting sustainable development and Heifer International (an Arkansas organization!) Learn more about Heifer in the November 30th post.

* Finca International is one of several organizations that offer microloans in Uganda, the US and across our world. Their motto is "Small loans -- Big changes." It's true. Loans as small as $25 can finance microentrepreneurship and pull a family out of poverty. And when recipients pay back the loans, the money is sent back out again to improve someone else's life. Your donation will have a repeated and large impact. Learn more about microfinance in the December 10th post.

* Habitat for Humanity builds homes in Uganda, the US and all over our world. You can help out locally or travel with Habitat's Intenational Global Village to build homes. Donate time, money or materials to help meet their mission to "eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action." Learn more about Habitat's Global Village in the February 17th post.

All of these projects contribute to sustainable development, which, according to Jeffrey Sachs, is one of the nine ways we can end poverty in Uganda and all over our world.