Year Four is Underway
Our goals for 2026 and how you can be part of the impact
School is back in session in Uganda. Ebenezer Junior School has officially begun its fourth year of education in the little village of Kyanjiri. The previous school year ended with 162 students, and about 30 more have joined for 2026. We are nearing the 200s, folks!! Who would have thought that the initial six students who signed up to attend class in 2023 would have snowballed this quickly? Parents from other villages are even wanting to send their children to Ebenezer, though they have schools closer to home. They are seeing the academic success in our students and want the same opportunities for their children, despite the extra distance. We accept as many new students as possible each year, but unfortunately the demand keeps exceeding what we can accommodate
As we open year four, we have three major goals in mind:
finishing what we started
building toward self-sustainability
and ensuring consistent support keeps pace with our growing community.
Completing the School
Though we have managed to add one or more classroom each year, the new seats are quickly filled. We are in good standing with the authorities who inspect Ebenezer regularly to make sure we are meeting the requirements, but our 5-year grace period to finish the list of needs is getting smaller. Another nonprofit that has supported Ebenezer in a variety of ways has agreed to take on the task of constructing a cafeteria, which is a huge help. That means Ripple can focus on adding the final two classrooms needed to finish the school and secure its registration.
Building Self-Sustainability
In moving toward self-sustainability, we want to add onto an existing project and start another. Ebenezer has over 300 coffee plants that were just seedlings in 2023 and are now beginning to produce fruit! Since coffee is a big export of Uganda, it is easy to find buyers of coffee beans. So, we want to increase our coffee cultivation capacity and also introduce goats. Goats are very common livestock in Uganda and we think we have just the space to raise some. In raising and selling goats we hope for Ebenezer to be able to cover more of its operational expenses. The generosity of donors has helped make Ebenezer the community pillar it is today, but we want it to be standing on its own one day.
Consistent Support Makes Consistent Impact
Last year, Ebenezer distributed over seventy thousand meals to the students and staff at school. This year we aim to provide even more seeing as how our student body and staff have increased. The only way we are able to guarantee this regular nutrition to so many is because of supporters like you. We calculated that one meal, morning porridge or posho & beans, comes out to about $0.05 per meal. So giving $10 can buy about 200 school meals. How cool is that?! For those of you giving recurringly, that means at least 200 meals each month.
So little can go so far. If you want to help us in these endeavors, you can give a one-time donation to help fund these projects or sign up for a recurring gift to help us manage the operational needs until we reach self-sustainability.
From Vicky and Elvic (and Me)
Above all, I just want to say thank you for witnessing this story unfold, being a part of its creation and growth, and telling others about the work being done. Vicky and Elvic, the couple who dreamed up Ebenezer, are overflowing with gratitude to every single person who has invested in their community project without even knowing them. For trusting in their vision and execution of bringing hope and positive change to their community. They send their greetings and thanks to all of you following along.
“Tweyanziza nyo nyo nyo” (we are so so so appreciative)
That’s all for now!
Much love,
Courtlyn Wesolowski
President & Founder
Start the Ripple
Small actions, big impact