Earlier this month, the Sister Schools community gathered at Ray’s Boathouse for our annual Benefit Brunch and Auction—and what a wonderful celebration it was! To everyone who joined us, bid on auction items, participated in our games, made a gift, or helped bring the event to life: thank you! Your generosity and enthusiasm remind us what makes Sister Schools so special. Together, we raised nearly $43,000 to support students in the Pacific Northwest and Uganda as they learn f

From participant to intern As an undergraduate studying public policy and political science, Leah is a college student who was looking to gain experience working in the nonprofit sector. While applying to Sister Schools, a Seattle based organization connecting students in Seattle to students in Uganda through school supply drives, she found something familiar about the mission and immediately recalled her fond memories as a student in the program herself. Leah was about 7 yea

A recent visit with Jupiter When Jupiter Marina Kabahita lost both of her parents at age eight, she moved in with an aunt who could only afford to send her to an under-resourced school in the village. Jupiter said that at the time it "felt like the world's end." What she didn't know was that her school had support from half a world away. Mukono Boarding School has been a Sister Schools partner for years. It has grown into one of the best schools in the region, but in the earl

Every August, Seattle families head out to fill backpacks with fresh notebooks, boxes of crayons, and new pencils. It's a familiar ritual, and if you’re school is participating in Sister Schools this year, we're asking our community to grab one or two extra items while they're at it. Those small additions to your cart can open a classroom door for a student in Uganda who would otherwise be turned away. Here's the item that matters most, and it might surprise you: the plain, o

At first glance, Mesarch is a typical 15‑year‑old boy in rural Uganda. But his experience with Sister Schools has quietly changed the way he imagines his future. Mesarch’s story shows how Sister Schools helps Ugandan students hold onto their dreams and see a path forward, even when daily life is full of obstacles. Mesarch's school in Uganda Mesarch’s life at home Mesarch lives in Masiko village with his mother and five siblings. His mother is a cabbage farmer. Mesarch expla

At Echo Lake Elementary, community and compassion are coming to life in a powerful way thanks in part to the generous support of Windermere Real Estate/Shoreline. Echo Lake students display the school supplies they are donating for their partner school in Uganda. Faces blurred for privacy. Serving the Shoreline community since 1977, Windermere Shoreline has built a legacy rooted in more than just real estate. Their longstanding commitment to local families is reflected in a w

Fernwood Elementary recently brought its community together for an inspiring evening of music, generosity, and global connection. Through their incredible benefit concert, students, staff, and families raised nearly $5,000 to support Sister Schools programs and students in Uganda—a powerful result of months of dedication and collaboration. The concert showcased four outstanding student groups: the Bad Monkeys Marimba Band, the Keiki Nani Ukulele Club, the Benefit Concert Choi

As the school year comes to a close, we are celebrating a powerful milestone: the culmination of return presentations across five partner schools and a year of meaningful global connection. Return Presentation at Echo Lake Elementary School Over the past year, more than 2,300 Seattle-area students participated in our program, building relationships that extended far beyond their classrooms. Through shared learning, cultural exchange, and collective action, students developed

Sister Schools has been out in the community this spring, and we’ve loved every minute of it. Recently, we had the opportunity to join several of our partner school PTA events, including Bennett Multicultural Night, McDonald International Night, and Echo Lake Art Night. These events are a vibrant reflection of the school communities we’re proud to be part of. From colorful performances and student artwork to cultural showcases, each gathering highlighted the creativity and d

At Sister Schools, we believe in the power of connection, not just between students across the globe, but within our own community. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch our new internship program, welcoming passionate college students into hands-on roles across programs, grants, events, and marketing. This initiative is a win-win for both our program and our interns. We are cultivating the next generation of nonprofit leaders while expanding our own capacity to better serve e

Olive is an 11 year old student at Kibiribiri Primary School chasing big dreams! Every morning, before the sun has fully risen over her small village outside Mukono, Uganda, Olive begins her journey to school. At just 11, she already understands the value of perseverance. The path to Kibiribiri Primary School takes about 45 minutes on foot, winding through her community as she walks alongside other children, all carrying the same quiet determination. At home, Olive is one of

Martha (center) and Asia, Sister School's Uganda Program Manager (right) on Marth's graduation day. We’re thrilled to share some inspiring news—Martha, one of our Sister Schools scholarship students, has graduated! Last week, she was among the 9,200 students who received their degrees from Makerere University, proudly earning her Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery. This remarkable achievement reflects not only Martha’s dedication and perseverance but also the power of educa

This year, Bennett Elementary joined the Sister Schools network for the very first time, bringing our leadership development and global competency curriculum to their classrooms. Through an engaging lesson, Bennett students explored what it means to be global citizens, learned about their peers in Uganda and put empathy into action through a school supply drive that will help those communities access essential learning materials. Now, that schoolwide effort is being champione

This fall, Ghostfish Brewing Company showed what it truly means to brew community on a global scale. Their generous support of our annual auction last fall has been fueling student growth all year. Ghostfish Brewing Company is Seattle’s award-winning, 100% gluten-free brewery, known for its innovative beers and inclusive community ethos. In October, Ghostfish stepped up as a sponsor for Sister Schools’ annual Benefit Auction, helping fuel a successful fundraising effort that

Abraham is 14 years old and lives with his family in Namuwongo Slum in Kampala, Uganda, in a one-room home he shares with his mother and younger sister. His mother earns what she can by washing clothes for others. Some days, there is work. Some days, there are no clients at all—and on those days, there is often no food. Despite these challenges, Abraham goes to school every day at Ray of Hope, one of Sister Schools’ partner schools. Like so many students we work with, Abraha

Sister Schools is delighted to welcome Wenqi Wang as our newest University of Washington Board Fellow. Wenqi brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to community and equity that strongly aligns with our mission. Wenqi is a Senior Technical Project Manager within the Microsoft AI organization and is currently pursuing her evening MBA at the University of Washington. She is also a proven community leader, having previousl

A Year of Connection and Change Because of you, thousands of children are learning, growing, and dreaming bigger. In 2025, Sister Schools continued to bridge classrooms and hearts across continents. Together with our supporters and school communities, we expanded our reach, strengthened our programs, and empowered both Ugandan and American students to see the difference they can make in the world. Growing Our School Community This year, we proudly welcomed three new U.S.

This year, Cathcart Elementary joined Sister Schools for the very first time, and already, the cultural exchange program is making a meaningful impact. Students are discovering new perspectives, building empathy, and connecting with peers in Uganda through stories, shared experiences, and generosity. Four students shared how the program has opened their eyes and their hearts. Brant: “It feels good to give to others.” Sixth grader Brant Berry is a competitive swimmer who

We are thrilled to welcome Derek Lobo as an Advisory Board member. Derek is a leader whose life story, professional experience, and passion for education and social impact make him an extraordinary addition to our community. Born in Uganda and raised in Toronto, Derek’s global perspective was shaped early. After earning his BA from the University of Toronto, he moved to San Diego to pursue his JD at California Western School of Law. Over the next 30 years, Derek built a dist

We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our incredible community partners! Bothell-Everett Kids Dentistry was our gold sponsor for our recent Benefit Brunch at Ray’s Boathouse! Their generous support helped us raise over $56,000 to empower students in Seattle and Uganda through education and connection. At Sister Schools, we believe that when communities come together, amazing things happen — and Bothell-Everett Kids Dentistry embodies that spirit perfectly. Their