Our Program
Expanding Potential Globally
Doorways for Uganda (D4U) empowers youth in the United States to manage and operate a non-profit organization that emotionally and financially supports the education of destitute children in Northern Uganda. It inspires US students to become invested in something bigger than themselves: to develop Social Empathy by helping to break the cycle of Extreme Poverty, to Foster Healing for those victims of sex trafficking, to Empower others to prosper through education.
Education
Doorways for Uganda’s Education Initiative starts here with Sponsorship. D4U partners with the top ranked schools in Gulu to ensure the students are receiving the best education possible.
Opportunities
Children in our Sponsorship Program are selected by D4U’s Ugandan Operations Director based on their home life, HIV status, economic situation and, an additional 12-pt vulnerability criteria. D4U identifies the children in most need and provides them with an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and to dream of a brighter future.
Connection
It is often hard for people to feel a personal connection with the children they sponsor. This is not a problem for Doorways for Uganda. It is a part of our mission to create lasting relationships between sponsors and the students they support. These bonds are built by exchanging letters, pictures, and videos. The emotional connections formed motivates the students to do their best and helps the sponsor understand they are making a difference.
See What We’ve Been Up To
Join Us In Our Mission
Giving online has never been more secure, convenient, and hassle-free with our one-click donation. We also accept Venmo at Doorways for Uganda and Cashapp at $Kganda.
Give
We need people in the community like you, to start a D4U chapter in your space. Whether at your church, Girls Scout Troop or your sorority/fraternity, consider sponsoring 1, 5 or 10 students to attend school in Gulu. Contact us to help set up a club. Or, feel free to join us at one of our upcoming events.
Volunteer
In Uganda, there is no such thing as a free education. Doorways for Uganda has a stretch goal of providing tuition and assistance to 50 students by February 2024. This would impact students in primary, secondary schools and universities. Our organization’s efforts have provided an education to over one-hundred students in Northern Uganda at one time and we want to reclaim that level of support
again and beyond.
Scholarship
Volunteer
Change Starts With You
Our program managed out of Greater Cincinnati does not have paid employees in the US. It is fully run and operated by students who are supervised by adult volunteers. Doorways for Uganda’s leadership program enables high school and college students to develop empathy for those who are less fortunate and grow business acumen in Fundraising, Social Media Marketing and Community Relations. Email us if your school, religious organization or place of employment would like to start a chapter today!
The Motivation
Behind Our Mission
Doorways for Uganda is an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that emotionally and financially supports the education of destitute children in Northern Uganda through the empowerment of global youth. This is important because in Uganda, there is no such thing as a free education.
We believe that every child has a right to dream. Often fears prevent those dreams or, the world’s systems make it difficult to realize new possibilities. In Uganda, almost a quarter of the population lives in poverty.
The United Nations Girls' Education Initiative reported that more than 700,000 girls in Uganda between 6 and 12 have never attended school. In addition, around half of girls between the ages of 15 to 24 are illiterate and four in five girls don't attend high school. (2019)
Students in America experience a unique set of challenges – social rejection, safety concerns, not being accepted.
Our-Two Way Model
When we connect the two groups of students with a shared purpose, dreams become a reality. US students complete an annual mission trip, immersing themselves in Gulu culture, learning and becoming a part of a larger community. They perform mentoring and communicate throughout the school year via a writing exchange program. The return of investment gives our US students an edge as they move on to college and careers. Our dream is that individuals, corporations, religious organizations, and civic associations across the world will sponsor and invest in our mission.
99% of all monies raised and donated goes directly to the needs of our students in Uganda. The balance is invested in learning opportunities for our US based students.
“We make dreams a reality in two places, two continents.”
Our Story
Connecting two continents for the better
Our Team
The people behind the scene
Kimberly Atkins
Strategic Thinking
Thirty two years of experience in the Consumer Products Goods Industry. Supply Chain Management expert. Married with 3 adult children. Author & Communication Leader. Involved in charity work supporting students in Northern Uganda since 2015. Passionate about developing our youth around the world to enable them to transform their lives and others.
Tasha Love
Community Engagement
Information & Technology expert in the financial industry with extensive event planning background. Loves family and friends and enjoys the good life God has liberally provided. Always thrilled to pay it forward and share her contagious smile.
Debra Jones
Ethics & Governance
A longtime advocate for individuals who are overlooked and unheard. She had a 20+ year career in social services and has worked with children and adults. Her work history included direct care, supervisory and director roles. Debra and her husband are the parents of two adult sons.
DeShon Clark
Chief A.I. Officer
Over 20 years of expertise in AI and technology consulting. His work supports D4U's mission of empowering U.S. youth to help break the cycle of poverty for children in Northern Uganda through education. DeShon leads initiatives that bridge global communities, fostering empathy and creating opportunities for students on two continents.
Zebulon Price
Educational Expert - Advisor
Ms. Zebulon Price, Ed.D has expertise in educational literacy, teacher coaching, and administration. After deciding to exit private industry, she has become a champion for bringing academic models of excellence to the Arkansas Delta. She believes that all children, no matter their upbringing, socioeconomic status, cognitive ability, or access to what’s “fair and equal” can and will become productive citizens if taught, embrace learning and own the tenets of good character.
Christianna Ware
Website Design
As a business owner with nearly a decade of experience in graphic design she owns and operates her celebratory lifestyle brand, Let’s Celebrate. Christianna’s dedication to purpose driven creation has served our aim in many ways. With a full site rebrand, our clear and coherent online presence is set up to engage future donors, share our message on a global stage, and further our goal in expanding opportunities for students.