The Story
Building Tomorrow Races to Uganda
A structure from last Spring's "Building Tomorrow" fundraiser. Photo by Marina Stranieri.
It’s spring time and you’re feeling more energetic. You want to keep your New Year’s Resolution of getting in shape, or maybe you want to get ready for a summer cross-country cycling trip. Even if these motives don’t apply to you, you can still contribute to a great cause by getting your butt to the Rec Center from April 2 - April 6 and hopping on a stationary bike. The worthy cause is Building Tomorrow’s Race to Uganda.
Building Tomorrow (BT) is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of children living in dire conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. It was founded at the College in 2005 and currently has 10 chapters at various universities.
BT plans fundraising efforts towards the construction of schools for children who have no educational opportunities in their communities. These children are often the victims of HIV and AIDS, whether they have contracted the disease themselves or have been orphaned by family members who died of the disease.
Funds go toward the purchase of a plot of land in areas with high numbers of at-risk children. This plot will be used to build an eight-room school with a kitchen, toilets and a soccer field. In order to ensure the school’s longevity, it will be leased to an organization that supervises and addresses the school’s needs.
The total cost of land and construction is $32,000. Meeting Point Kampala, the first BT-funded school, opened for 1000 students in April 2006 with the help of funds raised by the College community.
This year, the goal of the College BT chapter is to raise $30,000. Although Race for Uganda is a week-long event, fundraising efforts occur all year long. This year’s events have included Parents Weekend Talent Showcase, which featured a variety of comedy, dance, and singing groups; and Sing ‘Til Tomorrow, an a capella concert. Dance ‘Til Tomorrow, an all-night dance party, will take place on April 13. Last year, the organization raised $8,000 through these events alone.
BT chapters from both the College and the University of Virginia are participating this year in a week-long bicycle race to raise awareness of the plight of disadvantaged children in Uganda. The race covers 7200 miles, which represents the distance from Kampala, Uganda to Williamsburg, Virginia. The Rec Center has a table at which students can record their cycle mileage; and the goal is to reach 7200 miles by the end of the week.
You can participate in the race from 7 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. until Fri., April 6. For more information on getting involved with the College chapter of Building Tomorrow, contact Amanda Nixon at amnixo@wm.edu. For more information, go to www.buildingtomorrow.org.