The Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

It's hard to believe that it was a little over a year ago that I was headed out to Uganda. The last time I saw many of you, I was either thanking you for raising money to help me study there, or telling you my stories only days after getting off the plane. I'm writing now to ask for your help one more time.

I graduated in May, and this winter I'll be packing my bags and shipping off to Uganda again. This time, I'm building a computer lab and establishing an Internet center over the following four months.

I am partnering with a Vermont based non-profit organization, The 52 Kids Foundation, which runs the dormitory in Kamuli Town, Uganda. The group sponsors children to attend school by paying for their tuition, uniforms, other school fees, and by providing a place to live that is close to the school.

This summer, The 52 Kids Foundation is installing solar-electricity to power the dorm, as there is no reliable electrical infrastructure in the region. The computers I am building are super energy-efficient desktops, capable of running for hours off a small battery. The computers will double as a computer lab for the students' use, and as an Internet cafe for the public to pay for Internet access.

In lieu of graduation gifts, I am asking for a minimum contribution of $25 to help make this project a reality. My goal is to raise enough for six computers, which will cost approximately $500 each, plus a little to help defray living costs. Any bit that you could contribute would make a world of difference to the children and myself. To donate, please make checks payable to "The 52 Kids Foundation" and mail them to:

Ruarri Serpa
P.O. Box 1706
Wolfeboro, NH 03894

Thank you for your help and support,

Ruarri Serpa