What a incredible past 3 months for the Young Eye Foundation!! Before I tell you about it, it is important to take you back briefly.
This is becoming a bit of a lullaby but – five years ago, in 2019, the Young Eye Foundation started as a simple idea, a CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Little did we know that what began as a school initiative would grow into an organization dedicated to empowering youth, and uplifting educational standards in communities. As we celebrated this milestone, we reflected on our journey, the challenges we’ve faced over the past 5 years, and the achievements we’re proud of, while also looking forward to an exciting future.
The Birth of a Vision
Back in 2019, the idea for the Young Eye Foundation was born out of a desire to make a difference. The CAS component of the IB program required students to engage in projects that were creative, physically active, and service-oriented. I wrote about Why you should do the IB program? We wanted to go beyond supporting the local school in Luwero, Bombo; we wanted to create something meaningful, lasting, and transformative.
With that spirit in mind, we established the foundation with the goal of driving youth-led initiatives that would make an impact on both the marginalized youth and education. The initial focus was to engage young people, leveraging their energy and passion to bring about positive change in schools and communities. From the very start, we envisioned schools as not just institutions of learning but as vibrant ecosystems that needed nurturing, both environmentally and academically.
5 Year Campaigns: 500 Trees and a Book Drive
To celebrate 5-years, one of our initiatives was a tree-planting campaign. Partnering with our two member schools, we set out to plant 500 trees in the spaces surrounding the schools we worked with. The goal was not just to beautify the environment, but to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in the students. Planting these trees served as a symbol of hope and sustainability—reminding us that small actions today can lead to big changes tomorrow. The campaign was a success, with students actively participating, learning about the importance of environmental conservation, and taking pride in the trees they helped plant. The trees we planted in over the summer are still growing, the seeds we planted—both literally and figuratively—are continuing to grow and bear fruit.
Alongside the tree-planting campaign, we also organized a book donation drive. Access to quality educational resources can be a challenge in many schools, and we aimed to bridge that gap by collecting and donating books to our partner schools. We worked with local communities, parents, and well-wishers to gather a diverse collection of books, providing students with materials that would enrich their learning experiences. This campaign was about more than just providing books; it was about fostering a love for learning, igniting curiosity, and giving students the tools they needed to thrive.
Lessons Learned Over 5 Years
Looking back at our journey, there is so much we’ve learned. Running a foundation is no small feat, and we’ve encountered our fair share of challenges—from logistical issues to financial constraints. But through it all, we’ve remained committed to our mission. One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is the importance of community involvement. Whether it’s planting trees or donating books, none of our campaigns would have been successful without the support and enthusiasm of the students, teachers, and communities we’ve worked with. We’ve also learned that change doesn’t happen overnight. True impact takes time, effort, and patience.
Looking Forward: The Next Five Years
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also excited to share the new direction of the Young Eye Foundation. While we will always remain true to our core values of environmental stewardship and educational empowerment, we’re now focusing on expanding our impact in several key areas:
- Donation of Scholastic Materials: We recognize that access to basic educational supplies can make a world of difference in a student’s learning experience. Over the next five years, we’ll be ramping up efforts to ensure that students in our partner schools have access to the materials they need, from textbooks to stationery.
- Teacher Training: Teachers are at the heart of any education system. However, in many of the schools we work with, resources are limited, and teachers often struggle to make the most of what they have. We plan to offer training programs that will help educators use limited resources more effectively, enabling them to provide high-quality education even in challenging circumstances.
- Infrastructure Development: Many schools face significant infrastructural challenges that hinder effective learning. From improving classroom conditions to building libraries and other essential facilities, we are committed to supporting the development of better learning environments for students.
- The Young Eye Bursary: Education should be accessible to all, regardless of financial background. The Young Eye Bursary aims to provide financial support to students in need, helping them to continue their education and reach their full potential by paying 50% of their fees.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of our partners, the wonderful team, and the trust from the communities we serve. As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude for the journey so far and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead. The next five years hold even more promise, and we are committed to making an even greater impact on the lives of young people and the schools we support.
Here’s to the next chapter of the Young Eye Foundation’s story—a chapter filled with hope, growth, and lasting change!
- Inspired Work In-Progress
