2008 – Uganda – A New Chapter in Giving.

The Ripple Effect of Hope – Creating Change in Uganda.

In 2007, after a near-bankruptcy (again), we struck gold.
The Dutch government commissioned us to help unemployed people get back on their feet. They realized it wasn’t about finding jobs but about mindset.
And that’s where we came in.

The best part? They paid us upfront for six workshops.
Suddenly, we had over €250,000 in our bank account – more than we’d earned in two years!

With this sudden financial abundance, Yoni and I decided it was time to put into practice a principle we always believed in: “The More You Give, The More You Get.”
Up until that point, we had given all we could—our energy, knowledge, time—but now, we had the ability to give financially to causes we believed in.

But how do you choose? There are countless worthy causes.
We decided to focus on education, believing it could have the most significant impact on the world.

We turned to our friend Femke, a director at Triodos Bank. She introduced us to their foundation, which supported a unique school in Uganda: URDT Girls’ School.

This school used a 2-generation approach, educating both students and their parents.
They focused on shared vision, systems thinking, team learning, and planning.

Beyond the national curriculum, the students received ‘change agent’ training to create sustainable income, improve health, foster family cooperation, and promote peace. They applied these skills through community projects like educational theater, workshops, and radio programs.

The school aimed to develop a pool of visionary leaders committed to transforming their homes and communities.
It was a perfect match for us.

Starting in 2007, we donated 10% of our profits to the school.
In 2008, we wanted to do more. I’d always dreamed of volunteering in Africa. Now, I could share my knowledge with a school that could truly make a difference.

Femke and I traveled to Uganda for a week. I taught leadership skills, goal setting, and other mindsets, similar to our Dutch curriculum.
Femke focused on micro-financing.

The experience was nothing short of life-changing.
These girls, who came from some of the poorest families in Uganda, were incredibly powerful and determined to make a difference in their lives and communities.
When they stood up to share their life goals, they weren’t just talking about small dreams.
One girl declared, with absolute conviction, that she would be the first female president of Uganda. And no one doubted her—not for a second.

It was a humbling reminder of the strength of the human spirit.
These girls weren’t just surviving; they were thriving, dreaming bigger than anyone could have imagined.
I left Uganda knowing that I had been part of something truly extraordinary.