HIKE TO SAVE PROJECT 2026 BY QUEEN JASCINTA

I went to Kapchorwa and returned with lessons, new friends, and a heart fuller than when I left. Kapchorwa is a beautiful district in eastern Uganda, but like many places, it has many teenagers who aren’t in school. This outreach started as a dream in April when my Queen Mother, Leah Nabukera, and my uncle, Aijuka Isaac, came back from Kapchorwa and told me about the people there. I’ve always wanted to run an outreach outside my home village, so I said yes to the idea.

At 17 and as a pageant queen, I was excited and a little nervous, but I believed I could do it. I began preparations, gathered my friends and teachers, and asked them to help collect the items we needed. They trusted me and became my team. Donations came from friends, family, and partners, and by 15 May, we were ready to go.

This journey taught me never to underestimate my dreams and to share them with people who can help them grow. Teamwork revealed its beauty, how much more we can do together. We left Kampala early on 15 May, seven young people in one car. We stopped at the Jinja Railway Museum and learned about how transport in Uganda has changed over time. Learning about our history made me feel more connected to my culture, and knowing where you come from helps you know who you are.

The road to Kapchorwa was long and bumpy, but I learned that fulfilling our purpose sometimes means being uncomfortable. Still, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. We arrived around 6 pm and took a sunset walk. The view felt like a reminder of how great God is and how beautifully He made us. The fresh air, away from city pollution, felt like a breath of hope.

On 16 May, our main project began. In the morning, we hiked Sipi Falls. Each step felt like a step toward renewal and freedom. Standing by the flowing water, I felt my stress wash away, and I left the hike calmer and more ready to serve others.

Later, we held a mental health session with 28 young people from the community. We talked about self-awareness, identity, and why mental health matters. I used a hoe-handle analogy, since many of the young people come from farming families, to explain that the handle is not broken; it can be attached to another hoe. That showed how valuable we are despite our pasts. We can fit into new opportunities and become better versions of ourselves when we know who we are.

We prayed in small groups and had a Q&A session. It wasn’t just about asking questions; I could see the hunger in these young people to grow and chase their dreams. Being able to inspire them made the outreach feel truly meaningful. I learned that you don’t need to have everything to make a difference; it’s about how you use your life and experiences to help others.

At the end of the sessions, we donated clothes, school supplies, and other essentials to the young people and a few mothers. Seeing their smiles and hearing their thanks reminded me that God calls us to help others the way we have been helped. I am so grateful that my dream became real.

To other young dreamers: keep dreaming big. Our world needs your bold ideas, kindness, and courage. Thank you to everyone with a kind and generous heart who supported this journey, you made it possible.