Mary, a bright and determined 14-year-old from a small village in Northern Uganda, had always dreamed of becoming a doctor. Her father passed away when she was just five, and her mother struggled to provide for Mary and her four siblings. Despite excelling in her studies, Mary’s future seemed bleak as her mother could no longer afford the school fees. When Seeds of Leadership stepped in, Mary was able to continue her education. Today, she’s one of the top students in her class, passionately pursuing her dream to one day save lives and give back to her community.

Samuel, an 11-year-old boy from Kampala, found himself on the streets after his parents were unable to care for him. With no one to support his education, Samuel’s future looked grim. However, Seeds of Leadership discovered Samuel’s situation and provided the necessary support to get him back in school. Now, Samuel is thriving academically and is deeply passionate about his studies. He dreams of becoming a teacher, helping other children who are in the same situation he once was.

Amina, a 13-year-old girl from a rural community in Eastern Uganda, was on the verge of dropping out of school due to her family’s financial struggles. Amina’s parents, both farmers, could barely make ends meet, let alone afford school fees for their children. Seeds of Leadership stepped in just in time, offering Amina a scholarship to continue her education. Today, Amina is an enthusiastic student who is passionate about mathematics and dreams of becoming an engineer to build infrastructure that will uplift her community.

John, a 16-year-old orphan from Western Uganda, lost both his parents to illness at a young age. Left in the care of his elderly grandmother, John’s chances of completing his education seemed slim. However, Seeds of Leadership recognized his potential and provided him with the support he needed. With renewed hope, John returned to school and is now excelling in his studies. He aspires to become a lawyer, advocating for the rights of orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda.

Grace, a 12-year-old girl from Central Uganda, had always been passionate about learning, but her family’s dire financial situation threatened to cut her dreams short. Her father, a small-scale farmer, could no longer afford her school fees, and Grace was at risk of dropping out. Seeds of Leadership stepped in to cover her school fees, allowing Grace to stay in school. With the support she received, Grace is now focused on her studies and dreams of becoming a journalist to tell stories that inspire change in her country. .

Nour grew up in a low-income neighbourhood. Her home had no heat, and her family didn’t have enough warm clothes or food for the winter. Now she’s 19 years old and has two children. She recently left an abusive relationship that led her to attempt suicide twice. Nour is a survivor.

Deja is a 12-year-old girl who dreamed for years of attending a real-life ballet. On December 7, she was given the chance to see The Nutcracker, performed by the National Ballet of Canada. As a young girl who is passionate about music and dance, Deja’s heart leapt and her imagination was set alight as she watched Corps de Ballet member Calley Skalnik emerge from a golden egg as the Sugar Plum Fairy and dance across the stage to the music of The Nutcracker Suite. 

Shelly spends two hours walking to and from school each day. She’s only 14 years old, and has more responsibilities than most girls her age. Along with one thousand other students, she spends several hours at school before the next group of students arrives to use the classrooms. After school, she heads to a nearby marketplace to sell vegetables to help her family make ends meet.