Tonight the Georgia Center for the Book presents an appearance by Twesigye Kaguri, whose Nyaka AIDS Orphan Project assists Ugandan children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. In the past several decades he has been involved extensively in international community efforts as a human rights advocate, and in 2001, Kaguri founded The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project in response to the devastating effects of AIDS in his hometown.
The organization, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, provides free education in two schools. It also operates a library, desire farm and nutrition program, medical clinic, clean water system, and a support program for the grandmothers who care for up to 14 children at a time.
In his book A School for My Village he shares how he came to build the first school and the struggles he faced during the first few years. Mr. Kaguri came to the U.S. in 1995 as a visiting scholar studying Human Rights Advocacy at Columbia University in New York. Since that time he has been involved extensively in international community efforts as a Programs Assistant for People's Decade for Human Rights Education (PDHRE International, New York) and as a volunteer for various nonprofit organizations.
Twesigye Jackson Kaguri
Last year, he resigned as Interim Senior Director of Development in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University to focus full-time on The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project. Kaguri has been named a Heifer International Hero, recognized in Time Magazine’s ‘Power of One’ Series, and spoken to the UN about his work.
Kaguri's appearance is being held at 7 p.m. in the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, at 4484 Peachtree Road. For further information visit the Georgia Center for the Book website.
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