August – September 2026 Updates
Message From Semei
Dear Friends and Partners,
As we reach the midpoint of another school year, I am filled with gratitude for all God continues to do through Lasting Smiles Uganda. Our students are learning and growing, our teachers continue to serve faithfully, and our ministry is stronger because of friends like you who have chosen to walk alongside us year after year.
Your long-term partnership matters. Lasting change does not happen overnight. It happens when children are given the opportunity to attend school year after year, when teachers are supported, when meals are provided, and when young people are encouraged to dream about a future that may have once seemed impossible. Your prayers and financial support make that kind of lasting investment possible.
This season, we are celebrating one of the clearest examples yet of what that commitment can accomplish. Edward Bwire, a young man from Kyajja Village, has begun his university journey. We thank God for this milestone and thank each of you who has helped make stories like Edward's possible. As we continue through 2026, we pray that God will multiply these opportunities and allow many more children to follow in his footsteps.
Pastor Semei Ziva, Founder, Lasting Smiles Uganda
From Kyajja Village to University!
On August 5, 2026, Edward Bwire began his university journey at Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university. Edward is the first student from Kyajja Village to attend university, making this an extraordinary milestone for Edward, his family, Lasting Smiles Uganda, and the entire community.
Edward is pursuing a bachelor's degree in education and hopes one day to return to Lasting Smiles Uganda to teach and invest in the next generation. He has committed to working hard and making the most of this incredible opportunity.
Edward's story represents what we have always believed: education can change the trajectory of a child's life and, ultimately, an entire community. We thank everyone whose prayers, generosity, and encouragement have helped Edward reach this milestone.
This is what long-term partnership looks like—and we believe Edward is only the beginning.
As Edward begins this new chapter, we ask our Lasting Smiles family to continue praying for him—for wisdom, perseverance, academic success, and God's guidance throughout his university journey.
A Plentiful Corn Harvest
This season brought an abundant corn harvest to Lasting Smiles Uganda. The harvest helps strengthen the ministry's food supply while also creating an important opportunity for greater sustainability.
Because of the size of this year's harvest, Lasting Smiles Uganda expects to generate approximately $8,000 in profit through the sale of a portion of the corn to a local food-processing organization. This is an encouraging step toward generating local income that can be reinvested into the ministry and its students.
$8,000 impact
Solar Power: A More Sustainable Campus
Lasting Smiles Uganda has continued improving its solar system to provide more dependable and sustainable power for the campus. After the previous battery system reached the end of its useful life, generous and timely gifts from supporters in the United States helped make important upgrades possible.
The work is not yet fully complete, but meaningful progress has already been made. A new solar-powered water pump has been installed and is working well. The school no longer has to run the generator to pump water, reducing fuel use and making this essential campus system more sustainable.
New lithium batteries and expanded solar capacity are also part of the improvements as the overall system is completed.
Our Teachers: Faithfully Serving Our Students
At the midpoint of the school year, our teaching staff remains engaged and committed to serving our students. These men and women are at the heart of the Lasting Smiles mission, investing every day in the academic, personal and spiritual development of the children entrusted to their care.
We are thankful for their dedication and ask our supporters to continue praying for our teachers as they guide students through the remainder of the 2026 school year.
Growing Beyond the Classroom
Education at Lasting Smiles extends beyond academics. Athletics and other student activities give children opportunities to build teamwork, confidence, discipline and friendships. These moments are an important part of creating a healthy school community where students can learn, grow and simply enjoy being children.
A Health Update From Uganda
We are grateful for the encouraging news shared by Uganda's Ministry of Health that Uganda was declared Ebola-free on July 28, 2026. We thank God for this positive development and for the health professionals and leaders who worked to protect communities during the outbreak.
The health and safety of our students, staff and surrounding community remain important to Lasting Smiles Uganda. We continue to pray for good health throughout Uganda and for those who serve its people.
Thank You for Your Continued Partnership
Every story in this newsletter—from Edward beginning university, to teachers serving faithfully, to a successful harvest and investments in sustainable solar power—is connected to the faithful partnership of people who believe in the mission of Lasting Smiles Uganda.
Your continued giving allows the ministry to plan beyond the immediate need and invest in children for the long term. Whether you give monthly, support a special project, pray for our students and staff, or share the Lasting Smiles story with others, you are part of what God is doing in Kyajja Village.
We invite you to continue walking with us as we finish 2026 strong and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
