Regaining Independence: Lucy's Story
May 20, 2019

The rate of teen pregnancy in Uganda is staggering. 1 in 4 teenage girls are pregnant or have a child. 23% of girls who drop out of school do so due to early pregnancy. Without an education, they find themselves dependent on others for survival. Lucy was at risk of becoming one of these women, but she refused to become dependent on anybody.


Lucy had just completed her Advanced Certificate of Education (equivalent to the 12th grade) when she found out that she was pregnant. Life became difficult and she decided to start digging. Her bean harvest was stolen by her boyfriend, which meant she could not support her baby when he arrived. She had heard of our training, and with her fierce determination, she walked 4 miles each way every single day for two weeks with her 2-month old baby Alfa to attend class.


“My boyfriend cannot take away the knowledge I have learned, nor will he be able to steal the menstrual kits I have learned how to make”.


If all girls received education, the frequency of teen pregnancy would drop by 59% and child deaths would decrease by 49%. We continue to work to bring our girls education and supplies so that they too can be self-sufficient. With your support we can help more girls like Lucy regain their independence.

COVID-19 Women’s Empowerment and Employment Program Update

By Thomas Karas • 06 Jul, 2020
At this time of great worry and uncertainty for us all, we sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are in good health. Kurt and I have called many of you to “check in” and see how you are doing. We will continue to reach out and would lov e for you to share (good or bad) how all of you are managing through this troubling time. Thank you for your past and ongoing support as our lifeblood especially for the children, the women and girls whose lives you touch. In terms of Guiding Light Orphans, Inc we can assure you that we are following both the USA and the Uganda Government and public health officials advice and we have put strict measures in place to protect our medical staff, patients, students and everybody they come into contact with through hand washing, utilization of masks and cleaning and disinfecting. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of our services are still suspended and this is tough for us knowing that the quality of lives for the children and their caregivers has been greatly affected.

UCONN Seniors Win 1st Place In Design Contest With Biogas Digester Design For GLO

By Thomas Karas • 04 Jun, 2020
This past year we partnered with the UConn School of Engineering and sponsored a senior design project. Working with this all-female team of Katarina Konon, Brianna Markunas, Abigale Monasterial, Renée Rogan and advisor Kristina Wagstrom was such an honor. We are so proud of them for winning first place for this project! 
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