The Wajoli Story is about living a purpose driven life that creates positive impact on humanity.
It all began with an idea to bring opportunities to people in the war-torn district of Gulu, Uganda. An idea that took hold and has grown since 2010, to what it is today.
2010
It all began when one Aussie bus driver, Daryl Driver, and his mate, Paul Madden, undertook a God-driven trip to explore a region of northern Uganda that had been devastated by 20 years of war. Partnering with a local community women’s group, projects started rolling out.
6 Oxen and 3 Ploughs for subsistence farming families supplied.
Seed for subsistence farming families supplied.
A Rice Mill was provided for the Women’s Group to run.
Micro-finance Loans Program was launched.
“There are those that give; those that pray; and those that go. All are important to humanity.”
- Daryl Driver, Board Advisor & Wajoli Advocate
2011
Daryl and Cheryl travelled to Uganda every 2 years, checking on the projects and forming close ties with the village women’s group.
Projects continued to make a true and lasting impact on the village communities of Gulu.
100 Pit Latrines constructed in village communities.
Hundreds of books provided for the local primary school library.
Student Sponsorship Program launched with 20 students.
“I was so nervous the first time I went to Uganda, but now I think I love it more than Daryl!”
- Cheryl Driver, Fundraising Champion
2013
2013 was a special year. The projects grew and Daryl and Cheryl’s daughter, Shelley, visited Uganda with her family for the first time. We could start to really see the positive impact the projects were making in the community.
Student Sponsorship Program increased to support 35 students.
School Feeding Program launched, and grew to 650 children receiving meals.
A bus was provided for the community Women’s Group to move from the village to town.
“Uganda holds a special place in my heart. It made a true and lasting impression on me.”
- Shelley Heriot (nee Driver), Fundraising Champion and Education Advisor
2015
In July 2015, Daryl & Cheryl’s daughter, Angela, and her best friend, Gillian, a former teacher, travelled to Uganda for the first time to volunteer in a local village primary school. They were immediately captivated by the people and the culture and formed a strong connection with the Gulu community.
Their desire to return and create positive impact for vulnerable families, not only supported the local community, but shaped their futures as well.
The projects grew from being a “Driver Family” initiative, to family and friends committing prayer and support.
The first fundraiser “The Road to Gulu” was held in October to support opening a village health centre.
Angela returned to Uganda in November 2015 to take part in the setup of the health centre.
Student Sponsorship Program grew to 45children receiving an education.
School Feeding Program continued to provide 650 meals per day to children.
A deep water bore was installed for the community.
“We sat on the plane crying as we left Uganda. Then we pulled out a notebook and began planning how to make an impact. It consumed us for months.”
- Angela Driver & Gillian Cottrell, Founders & Directors, Wajoli Foundation
2016
In 2016, Angela made the life-changing decision to move to Uganda for a yearlong volunteer mission and it has become her home ever since.
It is her belief that providing opportunities for people that may not have any is our duty as human beings.
Student Sponsorship grew to 60 children supported to go to school.
School Feeding Program continued to provide 650 meals per day to school children.
Construction of a village kindergarten and multipurpose community centre commenced.
“Please don’t forget about us,” still echoes in my mind, repeated to me by many struggling Ugandans whenever I return to Australia for a visit. “It tugs at my heart strings every time I hear someone say it.”
- Angela Driver, Executive Director
2017
Wajoli Foundation Uganda was established in 2017 by Angela, Gillian, and an incredible local Ugandan woman, Catherine Akello.
The trio of women shared a strong passion for positively impacting the lives of vulnerable women and children - in particular, through educational opportunities.
Wajoli Foundation Uganda was established (originally named Lukodi Development Foundation).
Deep Water Bore installed to provide clean drinking water for the kindergarten and community centre.
Construction of the kindergarten and multipurpose community centre completed.
Construction of Teacher Housing block, School Kitchen, Toilet and Shower block was completed.
Kindergarten Program commenced with 30 children.
Ezone Educational Program commenced to provide practical learning for primary aged kids falling through the cracks.
Student Sponsorship grew to 80 children.
School Feeding Program grew to 800 children receiving meals.
10 local staff employed.
“I strongly believe that education changes lives. I see it every day in the classroom with my students. Even my own education that I struggled for has transformed my life.”
- Catherine Akello, Director and Teacher
2018
Uganda holds a strong sense of community. They check on their neighbours; they contribute to each others weddings and burials; they understand that they are stronger together, rather than standing alone. It’s very special and something that many developed countries have lost sight of. Wherever you go in Gulu, even in a line at the supermarket, people will strike up a conversation with each other.
Kindergarten program grew to 60 children.
Computer laboratory installed for primary and community use.
Computer laboratory installed in one of our partner secondary schools.
Student Sponsorship grew to 95 students.
School Feeding Program grew to 950 children receiving meals.
Maternity Ward constructed for local village health centre.
“It’s exciting to be a part of the foundation from the beginning. Opening the kindergarten with Angela, Cathy and Gillian and watching it grow from strength to strength has been such a blessing to me.”
- Aciro Catherine, Head Teacher
2019
Much like the rest of the world, Covid-19 presented us with the most challenging year. Thirty-nine supporters withdrew support due to their own financial hardships. Ugandan schools were closed and unable to offer online schooling. A six-week lockdown saw serious suffering as many people work to eat day-by-day. Government soldiers were dispersed to maintain order throughout lockdowns and control people crossing from one district to another. Violence erupted. Starvation became commonplace. And teen pregnancy quickly rose in numbers.
Funding redistributed to meet Emergency Relief needs. Emergency Food Relief distributed to the most vulnerable families in our community.
Schools temporarily closed for approximately 6 months for upper primary, secondary, college and university.
Kindergarten and Lower Primary remained closed from March to December.
Wajoli Foundation was gifted a school in Ocuka Village that had closed permanently due to Covid-19 funding reductions. Wajoli relocated to the poverty stricken community of Ocuka Village.
“Being locked down in Uganda and locked out of Australia was a challenging time. But it was also a year of witnessing many incredible miracles. When doors were slammed shut, God miraculously opened many new doors. I can honestly say that 2019 really strengthened my faith. I could not have seen a way through without God.”
- Angela Driver, Executive Director
2020
Learning many lessons throughout the Covid-19 period, Wajoli Foundation realised a critical need to support single mothers in our new community. With no government assistance, many women resort to breaking stone in the quarry that badly effects their health, prostitution and other jobs that damage their dignity and self-esteem.
With prayer and support from hardworking Australians, we expanded our focus to research the establishment of a Women’s Empowerment Program for single mothers, widows with young children and victims of domestic violence.
Research and development commenced to establish the Women’s Empowerment Program. 874 single mothers interviewed.
School Feeding Program reopened, providing 950 meals to children.
Schools remained closed for kindergarten and lower primary, so “Homework Packs” were launched.
Student Sponsorship Program continued to support 90 children in upper primary, secondary, college and university.
Land was purchased for the Women’s Empowerment Centre.
Employment grew to 13 local staff.
“As a teen single mum myself, I understand how hard things can be. Multiply that by a million and you’ll understand the hardship for single mothers in Uganda.”
- Angela Driver, Executive Director
2021
The foundation continued to grow from strength to strength as our new direction and vision became clear.
Through capacity building and educational support for women and their children, you can break the cycle of poverty.
Construction of the Women’s Empowerment Centre commenced.
The Ugandan government reopened kindergartens and lower primary (finally!).
Wajoli Kindergarten & Primary School launched with 120 children enrolled in kindergarten and lower primary.
School Feeding Program commenced for our school, providing breakfast and lunch daily to 120 children.
Emergency Food Relief for the most vulnerable families continued.
Student Sponsorship Program continued for 95 children.
A deep water bore was installed in Layik Village.
Employment grew to 19 local staff.
“God gives all of us the opportunity to help someone - whether it’s through prayer, giving or actively doing - we are all capable of creating a lasting positive impact on another human being.”
- Aketo Susan - Senior ECD Teacher
2022
The heart of all our programs…. is to bring opportunities that transform lives, create positive impact, and bring hope, joy and love to the community, and the vulnerable women and children, in which we serve.
Construction of Women’s Empowerment Centre was completed with assistance from hardworking Aussie’s ana an Australian Government Grant.
Solar Power House and operating system installed to provide electricity in Layik.
Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Centre launched with enrolment of 16 single mothers and their children.
Wajoli Day Care launched to cater for the children of our student mothers.
Student Sponsorship Program grew to 124 children.
Wajoli Kindergarten & Primary School grew to 150 children.
School Reading Program launched for 150 children.
Computer Classes launched for 20 adult learners and 60 primary children.
School Feeding Program provided breakfast and lunch daily to 150 children.
Second plot of land ]purchased in Layik for future growth and development.
Employment grew to 21 local staff.
“Leave a lasting impression on someone. It’s truly the most precious gift that you can give.”
- Anonymous
2023
Let’s be honest. Uganda is not without its many challenges. But the joy you feel when a secondary student bursts into the office flashing a white toothy smile and waving their report card, showing a Division 1, 17 point result…. well that makes everything worth it.
Wajoli Kindergarten & Primary School grew to 160 children.
School Feeding Program provided breakfast and lunch daily to 160 children.
Construction of two critically needed pit latrine toilet blocks allowed us to keep the school operating.
A classroom block renovation took uninhabitable, extremely hot classrooms full of mould and darkness - and transformed them into cool, light, clean and healthy learning environments.
Student Sponsorship Program supported 124 children to go to school.
Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Program provided counselling and spiritual growth, adult education, business and trade skills to 16 single mothers.
Employment grew to 35 local staff.
“I left a good government job to join the Wajoli team because Ocuka is my village, and I want to be part of the positive change that’s transforming my community, my people.”
- Odoch Alex, General Manager
2024
We are now into 2024, and Wajoli Foundation’s main programs include - offering quality educuation at Wajoli Kindergarten and Primary School; transforming lives and giving students a career pathway via the Student Sponsorship Program; school feeding to nourish the body; spiritual guidance to nourish the soul; and Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Centre to transform the lives of vulnerable single mothers.
“Greatness is when you use your gifts to serve people of your generation.”
- Judith Achiro, Student Sponsorship Manager
Community discussions and visiting the projects - 2015
Weeding with the Women's Group - 2015
Gillian Cottrell volunteering at the village primary school - 2015
School Visit - 2015
Sponsor Student - Village Home Visit - 2015
Gillian Cottrell teaching at the village primary school - 2015
Home visit for sponsor students - 2015
Angela Driver volunteering at the local village primary school - 2015
Home visit for sponsor students - 2015
Women's Beading Group - 2016
A special treat... soda for the kids - 2016
Secondary School Sponsor Students with Aussie visitors - 2017
Thank you Modi Bodi for the gift of period underwear for our sponsored girls - 2017
Angela teaching Creative Writing - 2017
Sponsored Students - 2017
Wajoli Foundation Founders - Daryl & Cheryl Driver in Uganda - 2017
Secondary Sponsor Students - 2018
Volunteer teaching at our partner Secondary School - 2018
Lukodi Kindergarten - 2018
Sponsored Students - Primary, Secondary, College, Vocational and University Students - 2019
Meeting in the Quarry - 2019
Home Visit to give Emergency Relief - 2020
Wajoli Kindergarten & Primary School - 2021
Wajoli Foundation Staff - 2022