Opportunity’s Impact in Uganda
Seeing the Real Uganda:
Education Finance Trip
Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa, is home to stunning natural landscapes and a rich mosaic of tribes and cultures, with more than 30 different indigenous languages, and equally diverse music, art and handicrafts. Traveling through Uganda you will be captivated by its beauty and the hospitality of its people. You will also see firsthand how Opportunity Uganda is bringing hope to Ugandan families where they need it most—in the lives of their children.
Due to a lack of facilities, teaching staff and materials, as well as costly school fees, many children in Uganda do not attend school. The majority who attend school drop out before graduating.
Many Ugandan educators understand the need for an improved education system and are putting their full effort towards opening schools that serve the families who can not afford to pay school fees. Opportunity has empowered these educators to reach more children by providing loans to help them build and improve their schools.
Travel with Opportunity Uganda to meet the teachers and students working hard to create a better future. You’ll be inspired by the dedicated educators who are willing to give so much of themselves for the children in their communities.
We enjoyed a wonderful Insight Trip as a family of five...We grew in our understanding of Opportunity and our compassion for the poor."
Margaret Gardner
The Opportunity Experience
At Opportunity International, we are passionate about transforming lives around the globe. We host Insight Trips so we can share with you, our supporters, the hope, gratitude and excitement we experience every time we are in the field with clients working hard to achieve their goals.
Insight Trips are safe, eye-opening and unforgettable adventures that are authentic to each host country. You’ll spend time with experts in the field and local hosts who know the culture inside and out—their personal perspective will give you an intimate understanding of the culture and how we work alongside our clients to make significant and lasting changes. You’ll witness how our clients are rising out of poverty and transforming their lives.
So come journey with us. We take care of all the details to ensure you travel in good company to authentic and exquisite sights. It will be an adventure unlike any other—one that will change you forever.
Itinerary
Day One
Arrive in Kampala, Uganda, where local Opportunity Staff will meet you upon your arrival and take you to your hotel for a good night’s rest.
Day Two
Begin your day with a briefing by senior leadership and a conversation about digital finance strategy at the head office. Venture into the field to observe a Trust Group and visit clients in their homes and places of business.
Day Three
Spend the day visiting with school proprietors and their students who have benefitted from our education finance program, and participate in a service project.
Day Four
See the rural side of Uganda on the drive from Kampala to Jinja, where you will meet farmers taking advantage of Opportunity’s Education Finance program in order to send their children to school.
Day Five
Start the day at the Jinja branch, then travel to visit schools in the rural areas of Uganda. Witness the struggles of these schools and see how Opportunity’s loans are making a difference.
Optional Safari / Day Six - Day Eight
Take an early morning flight north to Pakuba in Murchison Falls National Park. Enjoy a game drive and enjoy the natural beauty of Uganda.
Relax on a private boat tour down the Nile River where you may see the elusive shoebill stork, as well as elephants, giraffes, buffalos and lions.
Drive to Entebbe and enjoy the view of the countryside. In the evening, depart for home with wonderful memories, lasting friendships and a renewed spirit as you reflect on your role in Opportunity’s work to end poverty.
Evans' Story
Evans Ssenabulya founded Ridgeway Primary School in 2007 with just 100 students, holding lessons in a dilapidated wooden structure on a rented plot of land. Determined to provide a better environment for his students, Evans obtained a series of Opportunity International loans. As a result of his hard work and passion for education, Evans has built a boarding facility, purchased land and constructed a primary school building, now serving 915 students. Evans’ dream to educate Ugandan students is evident through his efforts to improve the school, which has attracted highly qualified teachers and local families. His goal is to expand the school to 5,000 students and provide life skills and computer literacy training to students before they advance to secondary school.