March 2015 Newsletter

.. What Did You do for Your 8th Birthday?
D
o you remember what you did for
your eighth birthday? Silver Firs
second-grader Kaylee Heltne will
never forget. And neither will children in
Uganda. Instead of birthday presents, Kaylee
asked her friends to give her school supplies
for Sister Schools. We’ll hand-deliver those
gifts when we travel to Uganda in April.
“Kaylee has been talking about collecting
items for Sister Schools since her seventh
birthday,” said mom Cherie Heltne. Kaylee
and her mom decorated a big box for the
donations. “I told my friends that I wanted
all my birthday presents to be for kids in
Uganda,” Kaylee said. “I always have so
much and I know that kids in Uganda
don’t have as much as I do.”
Children in the Sister Schools program learn
that students in Uganda can be sent home if
they don’t have a pencil or paper. Those
children wait at home until their parents
Find the money for supplies. And often, they
never get back to school. Only about half the
Ugandan children enrolled in primary
school, the equivalent of our elementary
school, Finish 7th grade. “I know it’s easier to
learn when kids have the things they need,”
said Kaylee. She may have forgone presents
this year, but Kaylee’s spirit of service will
last far longer than any toy.
You can
change the world, too!
Please join Kaylee
in giving the gift
of education to children
in Uganda by writing
a check or making
a gift online.
.. Meet Martha B.
When we were small, my siblings
and I lived with my grandmother
on her small farm where we were
able to get food.
Dear Friends,
My name is Martha Birabwa and I
am 19 years old. I am the oldest of
3 children. My mother is a teacher
and a single mum. My mother
earns $60,000 shillings per week
(about $20) so my younger siblings
were not able to attend school.
Just like anyone would desire, I
wished to go to nice schools, be
able to pay my fees on time, and
wear a uniform that is not torn and
sewn with patches. I always
wanted to become a medical doctor.
Luckily, the primary school I
attended was part of Sister
Schools. Through their program a
library was constructed at my
school, which enhanced my reading. When I Finished primary
school the results of my Leaving
Examination qualiFied me to continue to high school but this called
for many expenses that my family
could not afford. I had no hope to
continue my education.
Then, I had the opportunity to visit
the U.S. with Sister Schools. In
Seattle I met the Gaughrans who
partnered with Sister Schools to
see me through high school, changing my life completely. I was able to
attend one of the top schools in the
country. Joy Filled my family and
my mother is now able to send my
siblings to school. I have Finished
high school and was among the
best candidates in the Leaving
Examination. Now, I am waiting for
the results of my University Entry
Examinations. I know that with
your help I will achieve my dream
of becoming a medical doctor.
Thanks a lot to the supporters of
Sister Schools for bringing hope to
the hopeless and always putting a
smile on sad faces.
Lots of love,
Martha B
Martha is one of seven scholarship students you’ve graduated. You can
help the remaining five by writing “scholarship” in the memo line of your
check or when you donate online.
.. Thanks to You
"The literacy center has helped me improve my spelling. I got 67% in my end of
term English paper last year because I used to read a lot of books in the literacy
center. This helped me increase my vocabulary. I thank Sister schools for donating
this literacy center because it has helped me perform better." - Sharif Mwana
"I was so excited to get a backpack and I love my bag so much
that I cannot even risk lending it out.” – Tracy Nakawesi
........................................
.. sister schools news
March 2015
Opening eyes. Changing lives.
PO Box 99492 • Seattle, WA 98139 • www.sisterschools.org
. . Meet the New Board
Please meet three outstanding individuals who joined our Board of Directors this year.
Tara Kelly, an
Associate with
DLR Group, focuses
on business development in K-12
educational facility
design. As a former
teacher, she values
education for all. Tara is passionate
about helping children and has traveled
extensively in the developing world.
She’s also a gifted athlete and completed
the Seattle-to-Portland bike ride in 2014.
Melissa Pendleton,
who recently took
on the role of Sister
Schools’ Board
Treasurer, is an
Account Executive
with McKinstry.
Melissa volunteered
for years with programs for children
with disabilities. She was drawn to
Sister Schools because of her strong
interest in the overall wellbeing and
future of all children. Melissa is also an
accomplished horsewoman.
Nick Rosenfeld
is a Director at
Microsoft responsible for Lync
Online support
delivery. He has
been at Microsoft
for over fourteen
years and loves all aspects of technology.
Nick is passionate about education and
citizenship and loves empowering nonproFits through technology and using
technology to help with education.
. . Announcements
Follow the distribution tour on our website (www.sisterschools.org), Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter. That’s right, we’re all over social media while in Uganda—electricity and wireless
connections permitting. The First team heads to Africa on March 27, Team 2 arrives April 12.
And don’t forget to write back!
Calling all elementary schools! We’re actively recruiting schools for next fall’s supply drives. We
offer an outstanding introduction to Uganda and the service philosophy, materials for parents, staff and
students; and come back to your school to pick up supplies and photograph your generous
children. We return in the spring with a personalized thank-you from the children in Uganda
whose lives you’ve changed forever. Contact us for more info.
Need caffeine? Order Mukwano Blend Coffee, a spicy, full-bodied blend of organic, fair trade beans from
East Africa, packaged especially for Sister Schools by PuraVida Coffee. Available whole bean or ground.
Order from our website, www.sisterschools.org.
Save Saturday, October 17, 2015 for our 11th annual Gala at the Museum of Flight.
Sister Schools will be participating in GiveBIG again this year. For the fourth year in a row, the Seattle Foundation (SF) is putting on this one-day charitable event. SF and GiveBIG sponsors stretch your donation to Sister
Schools, letting us do even more in Uganda. The date is May 5 so please mark your calendars!
. . Thank You to our Wonderful Donors!
If we have misspelled your name or left it off this list of donors since July 2014, our apologies and please let us know.
Rich Able
AHBL, Inc.
Jennifer Alexandra
Beverly Allen
Susan Amorosi & Bill Roberts
Terry Anderson
Jill & Jim Angelo
Rupa Asher
Cindra Avery
Erik & Julie Backman
Paul Backman
Margaret Bagshaw
Mark & Ruth Balter
Tony & Cynthia Balzarini
Steve Banks
Randy Barber
Katie Barnett
Marky & Dorothy Barrett
Carol Bartlett
Dave & Julie Bates
Lloyd & Sue Bauer
Beatriz Sheldon
Brady & Courtney Bell
Brett & Susan Bentsen
Katherine & Sean Berry
Marvin & Janet Betts
Don & Vicki Bilyeu
Sooze bloom deLeon grossman &
Benjamin Grossman
Yvonne Blumenthal
Sheffrey & Angela Bogan
Thomas Bogan
John & Jean Bolivar
Herb Bridge & Edie Hilliard
Ed & Lindee Brooks
Ken & Shelley Burr
Suzanne & Salvatore Canino
Kim Cannova
Capital Group
Dan & Lisa Chandler
Gene & Sharon Chin
Bob Christiansen
Raphael Chubelashvili
Church of the Ascension
John Cossano & Valerie Lycette
Cathy Cowan & Kate Peterson
Letterbox Creations
Kathleen Cromp
Larry Cross
Cross2 Design
Linda Crossgrove
Peter Danelo
Dearborn Park Elementary School
J.P. & Julie DeCuire
Charles & Joan Demitz
Dominic & Melissa Diaz
David & Betty Ann Dickerson
Lew & Kristin Dickert
Dick & Peggy Dion
Mark Dion
DLR Group
Paul Donnelley & Shari Bitcon
Clinton & Kathryn Donough
Amy Dressler
Marius Dumitrache
Sheila & Chris Dunagan
Lee Dunham & Karen Tekin
Ivy Durslag
Matt & Colleen Echohawk-Hayashi
Nancy Edgers
Marianne Edgington
Larry Ehl
American Endowment Foundation
Kim Ercoliani
Sigal Erez
Brian & Janey Fadely
Michael & Alayne Fardella
Alison Fast
First Free Methodist Church
Mary Formo
Dan & Sameth Fridge
Matt & Lauren Fruge
Jana Fry
Chris & Doreen Gavin
Jay Gelose
Give WIth Liberty
Mary Jane Glaser
Jeffrey Gold & Helene Furhman
Meredith & Jay Goldstein
Phyllis Graff
Wendy Graff & Darryl Price
Alan & Germaine Gray
Matt Gregg
Mary & Mark Griffin
Greg & Laura Grignon
Janet Gryczan & Phil Secor
Brent & Genevieve Guinn
George & Lenore Hankey
Lauren Hankey
Robin & Randy Hansen
Mick Hanson & Alisha Mendoza
Bartholomew Harris
Pat & Lyell Harris
Timothy & LeAnn Harris
Dave & Ann Harrison
Kelsey Harrison
Thomas & Margaret Hayward
Brian & Darlene Henderson
Allen & Britta Hendren
Melinda Herring
Tish & Regan Hesse
Cory Hitzemann
Heather Hocklander
Graham Holdings
Dave Howe
Shaun & Kathleen Hughbanks
Jacqueline & Robert Humphrey
IICC
Wendy & Stephen Izbicki
James Kiboneka
Kim & Ann Jenkins
Steve Johnson
Peter Junkerman & Nancy Hallbery
Mary Kaminski
Tara Kelly
Dave Killian
Mollie Price & Dennis Kim
Hye Kim
Kas Kinkead
Jeanne & Michael Knoll
Craig & Jeanne Kobayashi
Robert & Betty Kobayashi
Kocarnik
Sheila and Van Kramer
Cheryl Lamey
Justin & Pamela Lan
James & Linda Landerdahl
Dr. James & Susanna Lane
Bill & Wendy Lange
Aaron & Anna Lemchen
Matt & Anna Lester
Roger Levesque
Michael Levkowitz
Hannah Lifszyc
Bill & Susan Lihudis
Tom & Sara Logan
Peggy Lotz
Carol Lycette & Randall Leitman
Mike & Jill Mackie
Bill & Cory Maclay
Sean Macleod & Rebecca Dawson
Robert & Anna Malkin
Rico & Mindy Maloney
Steve & Marsha Malsam
Jeff & Donna Martin
Lindsey Martin
Mel & Cherie McDonald
Michael McGavick
Terry & Melissa McGill
Cory & Briana McGinnity
McKinstry
Becky Melonson
Kathy Mesa
Metrix Engineers
Chris & Chi Meyer
John & Linda Middlebrooks
Scott Miller
Millimans
Jim & Laura Mills
Scott Mills
Brad Minogue
Carol Mitchell
John Moen & Vicki Hatch-Moen
Elizabeth & Jennifer Moran
Nate & Angie Morehouse
Sophia Morgan
Theresa Morrow & Bill Ristow
Vic & Mary Moses
Linda Mount
Katharine Murray
Scott & Aloma Myers
Luis Navarro
Grietha & Larry Nelson
Robert Neville & Kerry McGarty
Eric & Megan Nordlund
Sheri O'Brien
Mary O'Bryan
OAC Services
Joleen Oerman
Church of the Ascension
Judy & Ronald Olsen
R. Court Olson
Dearborn Park Elementary School
Lindsay & Zach Wolpa
Rachel Pemble
Melissa Pendleton
Chris Penkala & Rebecca Baibak
Vicki Pickering
Jason Pierce & Bellezza DeAnna
Lucy Plfordosborn
Selden Prentice
David Price
Karl & Michelle Quackenbush
Derek Rae & Kate Howard
Shawn & Mike Rediger
Debra Richman & Terry Morse
Steve Ristow & Bobbie Conian
Bruce & Christy Robertson
Rob & Tamese Robinson
Nick Rosenfeld & Jennifer Frazier
Jessica Ross
Sebastian Ruggiero & Julia Leitman
Jeanne Rynne
Sherry Saehlenou
Melissa Sampaga
Daniel & Yolanda Sams
Bernie & Kathy Sanders
Ann Sauer & Richard Ladner
Ann & Todd Sawin
Paul Schiavo
Martha Schroeder
Christine & Ed Segat
Randy Self & Latifa Benbrahim
Deb & Steve Shanafelt
Kate Sipe & Daniel Berglund
Tony & Julie Sirotak
Jim & Karen Skadan
Jerry & Laurie Slater
Brian Smedley
David & Marji Smith
Laura Smith-Huda
Chris Snider
Steve Snider
Neal Sofian & Cheri McCoubrey
Gregory Stamolis
John & Meg Steele
Jessi & Sam Stevens
Meredith Stilwell
Thomas & Lisa Sulock
Dorothy Talbot & Marcus Reilly
Doug & Gretchen Tapp
Craig & Kim Terrones
Jeff Tiegs
Elliot & Sherrie Traweek
Lenny & Nicole Valles
Continental Van Lines
Margo Van Swearingen
Amy Vanderhorst & Rob McMurtrie
Tracy Wald & Lori Kent
Rob Walgren
Lynn & Nancy Walker
Lavon Washington & Janet Salas
United Way Silicon Valley
Wear Art Thou
Carolyn Weimar
Brian & Joan Welch
Allan Wetter & Nataliya Zhyrnova
Donald Wick
Barbara Wiesenbach
Robert & Kathy Wilkens
Chris & Taine Wilton
Jim & Lisa Wolch
Deborah Wolf
Lindsay & Zach Wolpa
Bob Wolpert
Judy Wong
Mary Woodbury
Kasey Wyatt
Birgit Zischke