Humble beginnings to making a difference
In 2012, YOUganda founder, John Cullom had a nice life in the San Francisco Bay Area. He had a job in construction sales and had been a youth rugby and football coach for over 35 years. BUT John felt there was more to his life. Frustrated and needing a change, he decided to quit his job, sell his house and travel to Uganda to see if he could make a difference. (The story is detailed in the Blog section if you're interested)
On the initial trip, summer/fall of 2012, in addition to helping build a classroom for a Rescue Home for HIV+ kids, John was able to start 9 rugby teams at two local secondary schools with over 100 kids participating.
Since 2012, John has self funded 8 additional trips at a cost of over $150,000. In addition, he has received around $45,000 in gifts over the last 18 months. This has allowed him to grow the program to it's current levels. As of Nov 2016 , YOUganda achieved a monthly high “run-rate” of 400 monthly sessions at 23 schools, with more than 30 coaches and over 3500 girls and boys participating.
That this program has grown so rapidly, the future is bright. But for funding, the sky is the limit as far as the ability to increase the number of coaches, schools and boys and girls participating, as well as growing the geographic reach of the program.
John believes that his approach, if allowed to grow, will make a sustainable change in the way kids approach life. Knowing that life skills will help motivate kids to stay in school longer. That girls and boys forging mutual respect and friendship at an early age will provide a healthy basis for a future of a more equitable community.
On the initial trip, summer/fall of 2012, in addition to helping build a classroom for a Rescue Home for HIV+ kids, John was able to start 9 rugby teams at two local secondary schools with over 100 kids participating.
Since 2012, John has self funded 8 additional trips at a cost of over $150,000. In addition, he has received around $45,000 in gifts over the last 18 months. This has allowed him to grow the program to it's current levels. As of Nov 2016 , YOUganda achieved a monthly high “run-rate” of 400 monthly sessions at 23 schools, with more than 30 coaches and over 3500 girls and boys participating.
That this program has grown so rapidly, the future is bright. But for funding, the sky is the limit as far as the ability to increase the number of coaches, schools and boys and girls participating, as well as growing the geographic reach of the program.
John believes that his approach, if allowed to grow, will make a sustainable change in the way kids approach life. Knowing that life skills will help motivate kids to stay in school longer. That girls and boys forging mutual respect and friendship at an early age will provide a healthy basis for a future of a more equitable community.