2022 was an interesting year with many ups anddowns. The schools finally opened, and our children could return to school. However, the schools had to increase their prices, due to higher food prices. And, the exchange rate dropped, meaning we were getting less Uganda shilling for each euro donated. However thankfully we got again the support of our community, that made it happen that all our children could stay in school and no kid had to drop out. We could also continue with our extra programs, such as our Music Program and Computer Program which we had started during Covid-19. We also continued with our Local Leadership Program to strengthen the skills of our team on the ground. Another highlight was that we had finished to build the water bore hole for the community in Jinja. We also planted trees at one of our partner schools in Jinja and build a soccer field for them. Also, our Board Member Romana Oosterbeek came to visit us for the second time in Uganda with her Boyfriend Ad Lancee. Both are supporting our kids since many years now and started several fundraisers for them. We also finally did again a Social Impact Trip with Stella and Steffi and had 6 participants who visited the kids they sponsor. In the middle of the year, we had a hard time when one of our team members, Atim Scovia, died at the age of 35 years young. Furthermore, we changed the structure of how our Small Business Program is working in Uganda. At the end of the year the schools had toclose earlier than planned because of an Ebola outbreak, which thankfully stayed under control. By the end of the year, we could proudly say that we grew to 493 sponsored children and even our Founder Stella Airoldi surprised us in Uganda to celebrate Christmas and New Years with 22STARS.

Wow, what a whirlwind year for our Organisation! Things started off on a high note with two amazing Social Impact Trips in Uganda for our donors and sponsors in February 2020. But then, life threw us some serious curveballs. Schools shut down, the airport closed, and a lockdown meant no cars on the streets. And just when we thought it couldn't get any crazier, we found ourselves in the middle of a riot due to the presidential election chaos. But, through it all, our sponsors and donors stood by our side! We built toilets, launched a Computer Literacy Program, provided homework help and distance learning, and even Covid relief aid to our communities. Thanks to our amazing sponsors, team, and volunteers, we were able to grow to 380 sponsored kids by the end of 2020, and even added another 35 in December, bringing our total to 415! Founder Stella was able to visit Uganda in January and February, but then got stuck due to the airport closure and couldn't return until the end of November. Susan Laker stepped up to lead the project in Kampala, and Aidah Wafula took charge in Jinja - where there were some major changes, like buying a Foundation car and moving to a larger office for the children! To help coordinate all the work, Aidah's husband David Wafula got more involved and became our program coordinator. Talk about a team effort!

In 2018, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of our Foundation and received ANBI (Public Benefit) Status from the Netherlands. Our core focus remained on providing holistic education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Throughout the year, we continued providing weekly hot meals to children, delivering small business trainings, and offering zero-interest loans. We also expanded our programs, creating a Health Program with a specific emphasis on eye care, thanks to the help of our sponsor R. Walzer from WirhelfenSehen, who visited us in March 2018. A significant highlight in 2018 was the visit of our Kampala project leader Susan Laker to Europe to meet sponsors and participate in the Nomad Cruise, where she spoke alongside Stella Airoldi about our initiatives. Additionally, 17 sponsors of the children visited our projects in Uganda in March and September. Susan Laker continued to lead the Kampala project, while Aidah Wafula oversaw the Jinja project. Stella Airoldi, the founder of 22STARS Foundation, visited Uganda in January, March, August, and September. As a result of our efforts, we were able to grow the number of sponsored children from 180 in 2017 to 295 by the end of 2018.

Hold onto your hats! Even though 22STARS Foundation only officially registered as a foundation in March 2017, we're already bursting with pride to share how we put donations to use through our GoFundMe campaign and generous individual sponsors who specifically adopted a child. You heard it right: 100% of the donation money was spent on the kiddos! We started fundraising for school fees through GoFundMe in December 2015 and by 2016, we were able to start paying for school fees, medicine, clothes, food, and other expenses. Our founder, Stella Airoldi was herself in Uganda in March, April, October, and November 2016 to make sure everything was running smoothly.