Sponsored by Dave Ensign & Cisco Systems Inc.

Lukia Nanfuka Babirye is a 17-year-old orphan who lost both parents to HIV/AIDS. Her twin brother died from AIDS at the age of 9, and she is fortunate to now be receiving from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic, which has a program helping children with HIV/AIDS.

Prior to being sponsored to participate in a hair-dressing/Beautician vocational training course Lukia was the breadwinner of the household; she worked as a house help/nanny close to her home, earning 30,000 UGX (approximately $17 USD) per month. Lukia has high hopes that her vocational training course will enable her to gain more work, or even to eventually open her own business with the dream of improving her family's living standards.

Lukia lives in a two-room shack with her stepmother. Her father, who was a lorry driver, left the tiny house to them. She dropped out of school after the seventh grade because her stepmother could not afford her education beyond that point.
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This is an example of the inspiring stories of how past and current partnerships between sponsors and students are allowing young Ugandans to seize a better future and filling the hearts and imaginations of North Americans. These students have worked hard and we have seen their confidence and pride grow each month. BeadforLife strives hard to support students not only with the vocational training, but also with 'wrap-around' skills like resume writing, interviewing, networking, and work ethic. We do this in our monthly Friday Afternoon Club, as well as in one-on-one counseling with students.

BeadforLife also attempts to help students find jobs once they graduate. If you are interested in sponsoring a student, please click here.