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Twesigye Jackson Kaguri
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Twesigye Jackson Kaguri was born and raised in Uganda in the small village of Nyakagyezi. At a very young age he demonstrated an unquenchable desire to learn, which led him to study at and graduate from Makerere University in Kampala. During this time he co-founded the human rights organization, Human Rights Concerns, to help victims of human rights violations in Uganda and to educate the public about their rights. In the 90s he became a visiting scholar at Columbia University where he studied Human Rights Advocacy. Over the years he has been involved extensively in international community efforts as a human rights advocate, fundraiser, and inspirational speaker.
In 2001, Kaguri founded The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project in response to the devastating effects of AIDS in his hometown. The organization, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, provides free education to children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. In addition to two schools, it also operates a library, desire farm and nutrition program, medical clinic, clean water system, and a support program for the grandmothers who care for up to 14 children at a time.
Since founding the project, Kaguri has also become an author. In “A School for My Village” he shares how he came to build the first school and the struggles he faced during the first few years. In 2010, he resigned as Interim Senior Director of Development in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University to focus full-time on The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project. Kaguri has been named a Heifer International Hero, recognized in Time Magazine’s ‘Power of One’ Series, and spoken to the UN about his work. When not visiting the schools in Uganda or working at his office in Okemos, MI, Kaguri travels the country to speak with students and supporters about the organization.

He is the co-author of The Price of Stones, Building a School for My Village (Viking, June 14, 2010), with Susan Urbanek Linville.

Blog Entries by Twesigye Jackson Kaguri

Consider Mothers of the World This Mother's Day

(0) Comments | Posted May 9, 2013 | 11:15 AM

On this Mother's day, let us consider the rights of all girls and women around the world. Let us ratify our support of CEDAW, the United Nations Convention to Eliminate All forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Referred to as an international bill of rights for women, CEDAW was adopted by...

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Fathers Need to Step Up

(14) Comments | Posted April 15, 2013 | 5:46 PM

As Mother's Day approaches, I hope we go beyond showering our mothers with gifts. I hope we realize that every child needs two parents, bonded strongly with the child, showing him/her as much love and affection as possible.

My wife and I are expecting twins any time now. We also...

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In the Midst of Good News, People Throw Stones

(0) Comments | Posted March 7, 2013 | 3:48 PM

I got more HIV/AIDS related phone calls during this week way more than usual. Many times when people call me they are asking about Nyaka AIDS orphaned children enrolled at Nyaka and Kutamba Secondary Schools, or those staying with grannies in rural Uganda. However, these calls were about

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Keep Your Dream Alive

(1) Comments | Posted January 28, 2013 | 10:52 AM

January 21st we celebrated the vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream for this nation. I have two boys, and we are expecting twin girls. I feel humbled that my children live in this great country, and will have the same opportunities as other children. Many people have...

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Collaboration: A Forgotten Word?

(0) Comments | Posted October 31, 2012 | 5:26 PM

As the candidates ramped into high gear for their last surge of campaigning this last month, I was bothered by the thought that we as a nation have lost the meaning of the word collaboration. We are supposed to be the United, not the Divided, States of America. Patrick Henry...

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Uganda Celebrates 50 Years of Independence

(1) Comments | Posted October 9, 2012 | 11:55 AM

On October 9, 2012 Uganda celebrates 50 years of independence. Like the United States, it was under British rule, for over one hundred years as a matter of fact. But unlike America, Uganda suffered abuses of several brutal dictators after obtaining its independence.

I am 42 years old, so I...

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What It Takes to Be a Winner!

(2) Comments | Posted August 15, 2012 | 6:58 PM

What does it take to be a winner? Steve Kiprotich knows. He is the gold medal marathon winner of this year's Olympic Games. He is the second gold medal winner in Ugandan history. We won a bronze in 1996, but our last gold medal was in 1972.

My...

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Global Motherhood: What Is a Hero?

(2) Comments | Posted June 26, 2012 | 1:30 PM

What is a hero? One definition says a hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Another says a hero is a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded...

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A Mother's Day Tribute for Women in Need

(3) Comments | Posted May 2, 2012 | 1:38 PM

In mid-April, the advertising companies are already gearing up for Mother's Day. Buy your mother a card, a bouquet of flowers, an I-pad, or how about a new car. Show her how much you love her by taking her out to dinner and buying her stuff, lots of stuff. That's...

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Follow Your Passion

(5) Comments | Posted April 20, 2012 | 12:25 PM

In 2010, when I left my position at Michigan State University , I had raised millions for the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources. I had moved up the ranks from Assistant Director to Associate Director, and was on the verge of becoming a senior director of development....

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Grannies Revisit Motherhood Because Of Uganda's HIV Epidemic

(0) Comments | Posted March 8, 2012 | 10:58 AM

As we celebrate the 101st International Women's Day, I am reminded of the women in my life
who spend years planning and preparing for motherhood. They store names in the backs of
their minds for future children. They look for qualities in a partner who shows promise to...

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AIDS Orphans and Faith: Why I Return to Uganda

(26) Comments | Posted June 14, 2010 | 4:48 PM

Many people ask me why a college-educated man living in America bothers to return to his home village in Uganda. The place has no electricity and running water. The roads are poor and the people poorer. Leave the past behind, they say; focus on your new life here in the...

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