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About Arlington Academy of Hope

The Arlington Academy of Hope (AAH) is a volunteer, non-profit organization based in the United States that helps children in rural Uganda to reach their full potential. AAH has built a school and a clinic in Bumwalukani village and a clinic in Bupoto village. By creating model schools and medical clinics, AAH provides education and healthcare programs, local development opportunities, and community outreach to improve the quality of life and transform poor villages into self-sustaining communities. AAH does this by engaging a caring community of volunteers, child sponsors, donors, partners and friends in the United States, Uganda and throughout the world.

AAH programs in Uganda are primarily in the areas of Primary School Education, Secondary School education, Adult literacy and education, Teacher training, Primary healthcare - prevention and treatment, and Community outreach activities.

In the five years we have worked in Uganda, we have built school for 300 students, provided teacher housing, library and learning center, health clinic, and guesthouse. The school has been designated a model school by Bududa district where AAH is located. In the 2006 and 2007 national exams, all AAH students passed highly and were admitted to secondary school. AAH supports their education at these secondary schools. Our medical clinics have treated more than 20,000 patients in the last two years. In addition, AAH is taking a lead in showing the community better farming methods, tree planting and environmental protection, volunteer services, and introducing technology to poor rural areas.

International Voluntary Service Activities

Every year, school teachers and other volunteers travel to Uganda at personal expense to provide the gift of their teaching expertise and special support to students, teachers and administrators. In 2008, more than 30 US volunteers will work at AAH. This number is expected to increase significantly in 2009 as AAH introduces a Student Exchange Program with the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Volunteers stay at an AAH guesthouse near the school. A Volunteer Coordinator helps arrange for their work at AAH.

Most volunteers teach in classrooms. In addition to teaching the standard Uganda subjects, volunteers read to students, help with extra curricular activities and work with students to improve confidence and public speaking. Volunteers with a medical background work in clinic, providing support to the nurses, collecting and recording data, and advising patients on hygiene. Volunteers with no teaching or medical background can work on other school projects - repairs, data collection and statistics, microfinance projects, adult education, or in the village with local village groups.