Although Uganda has made economic progress since it’s independence from England in the 1960’s, the country is still among the poorest in the world. Poverty and civil wars have impacted all areas of development including education, health, the economy, the environment and social and political development.
in 2006 Jean Semler, a retired nurse and husband Dave Thelen, a retired educator, traveled to Uganda and saw both the need and an opportunity to help. After meeting Ugandan children, parents, teachers, women’s groups and humanitarian workers and seeing the schools, the health centers and the lack of resources, the couple committed to helping the children and their families in Nabbingo and at the St. Lawrence School in Migyera. With the help of friends from New Jersey and Uganda, Jean and Dave began what would become ChangeALife Uganda by sponsoring the education of 10 Ugandan children.
ChangeALife Uganda was incorporated in March 2007 and became a a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2008. ChangeALife Uganda is based in New Jersey and works closely with a team in Uganda to implement and manage programs. As of 2018, our implementing partner in Uganda is GTI – Grassroots Transformation Initiative Uganda, a NGO (Non-Government Organization). Geoffrey Okello is the Director of GTI.
Jean Semler is the President and Executive Director of ChangeALife Uganda and David Thelen is the Vice President.
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With your help, we can reach even more people like you who help improve the lives of many more children and their families in Uganda.