For adventurous types, the Crater Lakes Region of Western Uganda is a celebrated tourist destination, offering lush landscapes, towering mountains, and the opportunity to view gorillas and other primates in the wild.<\/p>\n
But for children who live in many of the area\u2019s rural communities, the journey to and from school each day can be harrowing. They risk their lives walking along dusty roads, dodging fast-moving trucks and motorcycles. Accidents are not uncommon. During rainy seasons it\u2019s even worse.<\/p>\n
Key Biscayne resident Marzena Bernard decided to do something about it. An accomplished fashion photographer, Marzena first visited Uganda four years ago, invited by a friend to document the work of a nonprofit operating a local school.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I arrived,\u201d she says, \u201cI saw lovely children everywhere and I felt my heart breaking for them. I\u2019d go for a walk in the mornings and see three- and four-year-olds out by themselves on these dangerous, hilly roads, trying to get to school. I knew I wanted to do something more than just document the situation, I wanted to help this community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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One of the Ugandan children walking to school on a common path.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy: Wheels for Education Africa<\/p>\n
So she put on her thinking cap and came up with an idea: provide safe transportation for schoolchildren. She started the non-profit organization Wheels for Education Africa, operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter spending many years in the world of fashion, I feel very grounded by this work,\u201d she explains. \u201cThere\u2019s a concept in Africa called Ubuntu, meaning \u2018I am because we are.\u2019 It centers on the belief in the strength of community, shared humanity, and mutual support. The concept inspires much of the work we are doing in Uganda.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far, Wheels for Education Africa has raised enough funds to purchase a van that is used to ferry children from four different communities to their schools. Marzena\u2019s goal is to acquire at least three more vans.<\/p>\n
In addition to providing safe transportation, the organization is also helping to upgrade community school facilities, including bathroom structures. \u201cThere is such a need,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd the community support has been tremendous. In one village, all of the parents showed up at 7 a.m. with shovels to dig a road so that our truck would be able to deliver a load of bricks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marzena is impressed by the strong sense of community spirit she finds in Uganda. \u201cThe people are so kind. They work together \u2013 the women go to the fields together, cook together, look after each other\u2019s children. And the work is done joyfully, always with smiles. The saying \u2018It takes a village\u2019 really applies.\u201d<\/p>\n