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Summer holidays

Dear friends

Do you know the feeling of missing your children because they have been away for a while? When the school holidays start for our protégés, they prefer to come home to their families in our small village. That’s how we felt over the last few weeks. And how happy we were! It was an intense time. Planned and coordinated by the protégés under the careful guidance of Esbern Budolfsen. I would like to send you a few snapshots and two thoughts. 

“There is nothing good unless you do it”

A lot of good has happened at Kids of Africa this year and over the past twenty years. It confirms our daily experience that every child needs a family, friends and practical skills to be able to stand on their own two feet later on. Secondly, we can see today that sustainable development is being created here. Not only the development of a child benefits, but also that of his or her family, friends and social environment. Network effects. Wonderful. There are positive and negative cycles in life. In twenty years, Kids of Africa has broken countless vicious circles and replaced them with positive cycles. 

This would not have been possible without you. 

Our protégés and all of us thank you for this. Your help works, heals and empowers. 100 per cent. I can vouch for that. Thank you very much.


Chess, and mate! Chess

fever has broken out in our little village. Do you know that? Some of our protégés play every spare minute and late into the night. Last week, Esbern Budolfsen accompanied several chess teams to the Ugandan national chess championship. Two of our teams were among the medallists. Our congratulations!


Ready, steady, go!

Running has an important function for us. Running brings people together and is a natural need for active young people. But our Esbern Budolfsen is also a sports teacher. No wonder, he takes a holistic view of running. In recent weeks, some Ugandan Olympians have come to our little village to run with the kids. Imagine their big eyes. Everything works by itself here. Motivation, leadership, enthusiasm. What more could you want?


Girls can do carpentry too

Even in Uganda, some people believe that physical labour is only for men. This is nonsense. Our girls, whose beds had to be mended, prefer to do it themselves. Because a woman is a woman. That’s why we have a school workshop where our protégés learn the important practical skills under supervision.


A little work is a must.

Even if it’s a holiday, a bit of work is part of the job. This is work on our small farm, in the kitchen, with our animals or for school. No matter what – all our protégés do work every day. Because after work, play is twice as much fun.


The best for last

A barbecue together. Snake bread over the fire. Our kids make the music themselves. For example, when they sing or play the guitar. All under brightly shining stars. Does this bring back childhood memories for you too? Then pay us a visit. An evening with our kids under the stars really is a gift. Thanks to you.


Allow me? Our cat.

Animals are part of our village. The cats chase away the mice and the dogs chase away the thieving monkeys who are always after our corn on the cob. They also ensure peace and security. Oh yes: there are also snakes sometimes. But unfortunately they have few friends in Uganda. So they are becoming increasingly rare.


Thank you. Thank you very much.

  1. Thank you for sharing in the lives of our kids until the end of this short letter. At the risk of repeating myself, I would like to mention two final thoughts:  When I founded Kids of Africa twenty years ago, I did not know where this journey would lead. The future is still unknowable today. But I do know one thing for sure. That the last twenty years have given more than a hundred people a different reality and perspective on life. What is that worth? An inestimable amount. Many thanks to you for joining us.
  2. Going to school is a good way out of work. Admittedly, a school education is no guarantee of a job or good health. But what would it be like without education? Much is and remains in disarray in Africa. The continent is badly governed and the young and the weak bear the consequences. Will it always be like this? No. Last week I wrote to you about Benjamin Kizito, our young hero and lawyer. He is just one of many. They want to change the world. And they will succeed. Perhaps in the next ten years. I believe in them. Thank you if you continue to support us on this path for peace, families and a life in freedom.

With best regards
Always yours

Burkhard Varnholt

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Kids of Africa guarantees that one hundred per cent of every franc donated reaches our many protégés.

Because we believe in each of them! Thank you for your help!

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