Computers for Pathway Students in Africa

With over 400 applicants, 278 outstanding finalists, and 101 amazing winners, the Computers for Pathway Students in Africa Fall Campaign was an incredible success! 101 students received refurbished computers enabling them to continue their university education. 101 families, communities, and future generations will be lifted. 101 lives have been changed forever.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving, we at The Lord’s Hands debated about our favorite blessings in 2021. Our top four are:

            ***$51,815.00 contributed to GlobalGiving for the Computer Campaign by YOU!

            ***Growing from under 50 applications in January to over 400 applications in September!

            ***101 computers delivered in September, growing from 16 in January!

            ***Over 135 donations from YOU!

So many blessings!

YOU and your generous donations are what make everything possible. THANK YOU!

Please continue to give---Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30!

In memory of a friend who passed in 2021.

A unique Christmas gift in the name of someone special who has everything!

Give yourself the joy of changing someone’s life.

To give you an example of the impact on the students and their communities, I’m sharing this from Grace, a single mother of three, in Uganda.

“I am forever thankful for the laptop from The Lord’s Hands. I have been able to access my assignments and lessons from anywhere. This has allowed me to work from home and work at my own pace. This has helped me to submit all my assignments in time and I still have 100% grade A in all my courses. I made a pledge to do an act of service in return for what The Lord’s Hands had gifted me. I went to an organization called Uganda Cares that gives counseling and treatment to HIV/AIDS victims throughout Masaka where I stay to be allowed to work voluntarily. I was given the opportunity to go with the field team to take medication to locals who lived far away from the centre and also offer counseling to those who were suffering from pain and stigmatization. Under the circumstances, it would be hard to say it was going to be fun. However, sharing with these people and hearing their struggles and grit to stay alive gave me more strength to endure my own circumstances and it has been and is still one of my memorable and meaningful life experiences.

“The pictures below show me with the Toshiba I received first and one of the families who lost a father who was one of the patients at the hospital. They were glad for the love and support, as well as psychological treatment that Uganda Cares gave them. I think I like social work because it blends well with the ministering assignments we do at Church. I am grateful to be able to serve in both capacities and also for the guidance of the Spirit in being sensitive to the needs of the people I am given to serve. If they will have me, I would love to continue working for Uganda Cares as a volunteer.

“I take this opportunity once again to commend the work of The Lord’s Hands in changing many students’ lives in Africa. Mine has certainly been enlightened, my burdens have been lighter and the computer is an answer to my prayers. Thank you again, and God bless the works of your hands.”

• Grace, with computer and with fatherless family (DOCX)

SUCCESS: MEASURED BY NUMBERS AND PEOPLE

A business which increased sales by over 400% in four months is amazing! An NGO which increased the number of lives it changed by over 400% in four months is miraculous! Thank you for contributing to The Lord’s Hands miraculous growth!

Beginning in September 2020 as a dream shared by three people and developing into a fully organized and certified NGO by November 2020, The Lord’s Hands awarded 15 refurbished computers to excellent Pathway students in Central Africa in January 2021.

You, our much-appreciated donors, helped raise over $40,000 through GlobalGiving, including a $3000 Bonus Award for the most money raised by an organization in the GlobalGiving Accelerator Campaign! As a result of your generous contributions, 63 computers were awarded to outstanding Pathway students after the Spring competition!

Our goal for the Fall Campaign, which began August 1, is to distribute 100 or more computers! Students are evaluated on 3 essential criteria---3.5 GPA in Pathway courses, Plan of Service, and Letter of Recommendation---in addition to competitively judged essays and videos.

The over 400% growth in number of computers delivered was topped by the 466% growth in number of countries served. Computers were distributed to students in three Central African countries in January. After the Spring campaign, computers were given to students in 14 countries: Malawi, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Togo, Congo-Brazzaville, Burundi, and Ivory Coast!

Enough of the awesome numbers. The real success is the change made in the lives of students. Your donations are changing future generations!

Moshood, Abeokuta, Nigeria: I'm very grateful to the Lord's hands NGO for providing me with a laptop. The laptop has very high specifications! The laptop will help me to run my BYU-I studies with high-speed internet. I will be able to work effectively with computer applications and be able to turn in my assignments on time.

Kisswa, Masaka, Uganda: I am grateful and honored to have your support and encouragement. Extend my zeal and invitation to you to rejoice with me as Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced together. I say as Mary, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. I accept and pledge to you and the Lord to be sympathetic, compassionate to all people and outcast of the society in regard to my testimony of getting the computer.

Jean, Bujumbura, Burundi: I'm happy to receive a computer from The Lord Hands NGO. I started pathway with a non compatible computer and at the end of the fall semester it was damaged. I kept doing my class with phone and at internet centers. My purpose is to be educated and return to my home to serve my young brothers because the lack of blessings in our family.

Tumuhimbise, Kampala, Uganda: Who am I? Sometimes I feel like I am dreaming and lost but it’s real because I am not dreaming. So thanks for changing my life. Please extend my entire appreciation and happiness to the Lord’s hand organization for such programs. I am grateful that my application was considered. It’s much motivation to my life, education and family and church. I promised God that if I won, I will use the equivalent of small computer to give back to God, and this will be done in my community around home village road.

Please contribute. Every dollar goes toward changing the lives of African Pathway Worldwide students. The need is great. Please continue your generous donations!