REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope)
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) seeks to improve the overall quality of life in rural Uganda through education, healthcare, and community development
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Primary Education
The two primary schools (Arlington and Matuwa Junior Schools provides a quality, all-around education to 792 children by combining American teaching models with the best aspects of Uganda’s education system. We offer a rigorous academic curriculum in math, reading, social studies and science enriched by music, dance, drama, athletics and debate. Dedicated, qualified Ugandan teachers often work ten hour days and into the weekend. All students receive a school uniform, PE outfit and daily warm meals, along with access to school supplies, textbooks, reading books, desks. REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) provides a nurturing environment that strives to help each grow in self esteem and reach his or her full potential.
Health, Health Education and Nutrition
The REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) Beatrice Tierney Health Centers are located in Bumwalukani, on the campus of Arlington Junior School, and in Bupoto. Both clinics provide healthcare for all our students and teachers as well as urgently needed medical care for life-threatening illnesses, immunization, family planning, HIV counseling, and more to members of the surrounding communities
Teacher Training and Outreach
REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) Outreach Program works with 26 local government primary schools, among the poorest in Uganda, and provides training, resources, and materials to over 25,000 students in these schools.
School Farm
AAH initiated a school farm to eventually become an income earner for
the school. The farm will introduce modern farming techniques in the village
with better breeds like heifers that produce more milk than the local cows.
Secondary Education
The REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) Secondary School Scholarship Program enables our primary students to achieve what a few years ago was an unimaginable dream: attending secondary school. (Secondary school is the equivalent of middle and high school in the U.S.) All of primary school graduates plus top students from schools in our Outreach program attend quality secondary boarding schools with our support. We are in the process of building a secondary school with initial funding form USAID.
Tertiary & University Education
AAH’s Tertiary and University Scholarship Program enables AAH students to attend certificate, diploma (similar to Associate's) and Bachelor's degree granting institutions around Uganda. More than 100 students are currently enrolled in these programs.
Where we work
External reviews
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our goal is to help transform impoverished communities in rural Uganda by providing education and life saving healthcare programs.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) works with local community members to promote the growth of self-sustaining and vibrant communities. We seek opportunities to develop and reinvest the skills and expertise of AAH graduates, staff, and community members back into the local communities.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
In addition to REACH for Uganda's (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) positive impact on the local economy, we support local women’s microfinance programs. We plan to expand our community development to sustainable agriculture programs and to small and micro-enterprises. AAH-Uganda employs teachers, administrators, medical workers, and support staff. With steady employment and better pay, the standard of living of these workers has improved, which enables them to build better homes for their families and put their children through school. REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope)also impacts the local economy and enhances entrepreneurial opportunities through our demand for construction services, school supplies, textbooks, food, transportation, and more.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2008, REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) began supporting a microfinance program when we teamed up with Women’s MicroFinance Initiative (WMI), a Bethesda, MD-based microfinance organization working in East Africa. With AAH support, WMI created loan hubs in Bumwalukani and Bupoto which are still active today and support hundreds of women entrepreneurs.
In 2010, REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) partnered with the DC-based Kamal Foundation to rebuild Bulobi and Bumwalye primary schools in Bududa.
In 2012, REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope) partnered with TOMS Shoes and distributed more than 30,000 pairs of shoes to local schools and communities in Bududa, Manafwa, Mbale, and Sironko districts.
In 2016, our first class of 17 students graduated with Bachelor’s degrees joining 32 other graduates of diploma and certificate programs. We're thrilled that several of these graduates have returned to AAH Uganda schools and clinics as teachers, nurses, midwives, counselors, lab techs, and coordinators.
In 2017, more than 350 village children attended high-quality boarding schools throughout Uganda thanks to AAH scholarships.
In 2019, our clinic: Served 30,000 patients.
For 13 consecutive years, 100% of AJS students have passed the Primary Leaving Exam (PLE), the national exam taken by all Ugandan students at the end of primary school. As a result, every AJS student has advanced to secondary school – a striking contrast to other local children.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
REACH for Uganda (Formerly the Arlington Academy of Hope)
Board of directorsas of 02/02/2024
Richard Burk
No affiliation
Term: 2006 -
John Wanda
No affiliation
Holly Hawthorne
No affiliation
Joyce Wanda
No affiliation
Richard Burk
No affiliation
Carole Burk
No affiliation
Dean Scribner
No affiliation
JoAnn Willis
no affiliaiton
Carol Ann Bischoff
Bruce Leighton
Ani Arzoomanian
Beatrice Tierney
Tom Stradling
Amy Angel
James Angel
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: