So, what’s UP right now?

JULY - AUGUST 2024

#1 Worked with Kempie from KO Architecture on the last few details for the Moses Mabida HS Outdoor Assembly & Learning Centre
#2 Finalized this design of the Moses Mabida HS Outdoor Assembly & Learning Centre
#3 Completed the expanded clean water system at Moses Mabida HS, thanks to Green Overall, an eco-friendly installer
#4 Funded 16 new school uniforms and shoes for students affected by the tragic Samkelwe HS train accident in February
#5 Funded 20 more school uniforms for students at Sandisulwazi HS
#6 Started a relationship with a local cooking school, which provides yet another post-high school choice
#7 Funded a Lenovo laptop for a university student
#8 Decided on our 2025 volunteer trip Top 10 Wish List fundraising focus: a multipurpose court and renovated soccer field
#9 Ordered and received awesome YETI fundraising mugs with the Universal Promise logo
#10 Started the fundraising for a home for two Universal Promise students who, alongside their guardian-granny, risk home eviction
#11 Earned yet another highest-level platinum ranking on Candid, formerly GuideStar
#12 Received an incredible donation of 125 medical instruments from MDF Crafting Wellness, a remarkable philanthropic healthcare organization

MAY - JUNE 2024

#1 Funded 34 more school uniforms for Addo Primary School students
#2 Appointed South African Berenice Arends to our Board of Directors (bio here)
#3 Received a $5,000 donation from the Food Network’s Best Bite In Town thanks to Mission: the Newport Winner!
#4 Received more laptops from KPMG and raised funds for laptop sleeves to protect them
#5 Appointed South African Aphiwe Ntloko to our Board of Directors (bio here)
#6 Provided an eye examination and eye glasses for Ibinathi, a student who has struggled with her eyes since birth
#7 Sent a 60% deposit for a massive extension of a clean water system at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#8 Gratefully received a groundswell of support from Purnell School Class of ‘89 alumnae for our School Uniform Drive
#9 Participated in a Sara Campbell Sip & Shop and school uniform drive and raised nearly $1,000
#10 Received a game-changing $15,000 grant from the generous and compassionate duo pictured here: all in support of a clean water project

MARCH - APRIL 2024

#1 #401Gives was an epic success! We raised $23,175, with matching gifts still waiting to post! Thank you to everyone on our fundraising team and all who donated!
#2 Received three forms of 2024 recognition on GlobalGiving: an esteemed giving platform
#3 All Sales Are Vinyl are back at it: making flowers from recycled LPs and selling them at craft fairs to fund clean water systems in South African schools.
#4 Ordered 50 more school uniforms for students-in-need
#5 Bought Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School Grade 12 Advanced Math students their own textbooks - making content mastery infinitely easier
#6 Finished the renovation of 11 St. Ignatius Primary School classrooms and welcomed the little happy dance of Principal Nomalizo Johnson
#7 Provided ongoing support for Grade 12 students, including a matric jacket for Ntombozuko: a long-term Universal Promise student
#8 Paid for food and vaccinations for all nine pigs at the burgeoning piggery, which will fund school breakfast at St. Ignatius Primary School
#9 Funded contact lenses for a young man who suffers from a serious degenerative eye condition ⁠called Keratoconus
#10 Purchased and stretched a stunning original painting that will be UP for auction at our November gala

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024

#1 Started the classroom renovations at St. Ignatius Primary School
#2 Captured a photo of one finished classroom (upgraded desks to come)
#3 Funded a university student’s lodging registration so he could remain at school
#4 Awarded Rudien (and her mother) her prizes for winning the 2023 Universal Promise t-shirt design contest
#5 Delivered to Zikhona (and others) an Education Sponsorship laptop
#6 Added another installment to the Gaudet - St. Ignatius School penpal program
#7 Conducted a dream-catcher workshop at Langbos Creche and Care Centre
#8 Then conducted another dream-catcher workshop at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#9 Awarded, Othandwayo, an English scholar, with an iPad for her best analysis of Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind lyrics
#10 Met with a few of the 75 Addo Primary School students for whom we have purchased new school uniforms and shoes
#11 Were in attendance at the award ceremony for the Top 5 Scholars at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School in 2023
#12 Led a super-fun tie-dye t-shirt class at St. Ignatius Primary School
#13 Started doing some shopping for our Buy-It-Now table at this year’s November 16th fundraiser
#14 Led a fabulous, private volunteerism experience with the Burnley family, long-time supporters of Universal Promise
#15 Were honored to have attended the traditional work of a beloved Universal Promise family
#16 Delivered scores of playground games to St. Ignatius and Addo Primary Schools
#17 Met with Grade 12 Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School students to get their feedback about university preparation
#18 Delivered 20 more solar lanterns to Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School learners-in-need

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

#1 Purchased 50+ school uniforms and shoes for Addo Primary School learners; buy one today and receive a video from the child you supported
#2 Signed UP 11 new Education Sponsors; become one today for $1.15 per day
#3 Raised $55,000 at our yearly gala
#4 Funded Phases 1 and 2 for the Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School Ablutions Block architect
#5 Received architectural drawings of the new Ablutions Block
#6 Launched Dottie’s Mission: a 12-year-old girl’s fundraising initiative to renovate a South African classroom
#7 Passed $2,000,000 in funds raised for all-time
#8 Named a classroom after Newport artist Valorie Sheehan for donating 100% of the proceeds from her Alphabet of Saints collection
#9 Continued to help fund the piggery, whose proceeds will purchase breakfast for 550 learners
#10 Set end-of-year DonorSee $12,000 fundraising goal for the months of November and December
#11 Submitted first grant under the leadership of our newly contracted grant-writer
#12 Paid off a woman’s college debt for her to pursue her degree in education

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2023

#1 Set UP shop and sold some wares at the South Africa vs. USA polo match at Newport Polo; many thanks to Gail and Anja for helping us spread the word and make over $800.
#2 Attended an opening of An Alphabet of Saints (and Other Tough Chicks) at the Hunter Gallery at St. George’s School; the next photos tell more of the story.
#3 Valorie Sheehan, Newport artist, donated $13,000 (100% of proceeds) from the sale of her saints to Universal Promise: a game-changing gift for our small organization.
#4 The collection showcased 26 epic women who resisted desperate attempts to silence them and maintained the courage to hold true to their beliefs.
#5 Worked with a South African architect to finalize the drawings for the new school restrooms at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School (Moses Mabida SSS)
#6 Continued to gear UP for our yearly fundraiser on November 18th; all proceeds will fund school uniforms and proper bathroom facilities at Moses Mabida SSS.
#7 Reached the 70+ mark for Purnell School alumnae and friends purchasing school uniforms for students at Sandisulwazi High School
#8 Hired a local contractor to make desks for the renovation of math classroom project at Moses Mabida SSS
#9 Purchased 30 more new school uniforms and shoes for children at Addo Primary School
#10 Photographed 200 more children who wish for new school uniforms and shoes, thereby launching our uniform push for the gala, Giving Tuesday, and end-of-year
#11 Appeared on WJAR Studio 10 to promote An Alphabet of Saints (and Other Tough Chicks) and our November gala
#12 Were featured in the Boston Globe (Rhode Island) for the same purposes: to share the good works of Newport Artist Valorie Sheehan and Universal Promise

JULY - AUGUST 2023

#1 Were treated to epic welcome-and-farewell ceremonies at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School, St. Ignatius Primary School, and Vusumzi Primary School
#2 Began school uniform drive at Addo Primary School; to contribute to this cause, click here.
#3 Met with students for whom Purnell School and friends provided school uniforms at Sandisulwazi High School and continued the drive with the purchase of 20+ more
#4 Finalized the security measures at the new, extended Computer lab at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#5 Funded and installed some desks, fixed the electricity, and are now working on IT for the new Computer Lab at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#6 Monitored the delivery of 20 laptops to Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School via Principal Zukile Marwayi
#7 Were featured in Herald Live, a Port Elizabeth, South Africa-based newspaper
#8 Continued to collaborate with Biggs Plumbing to finalize the clean water system at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#9 Funded two months of fodder for the Yandiswa Farming Project in Langbos, the profits from which will ultimately provide breakfast for 525 children
#10 Funded and began installation of new classroom doors and security gates at St. Ignatius Primary School (students during welcoming ceremony pictured)
#11 Conducted a volunteer trip with seven newbies; volunteers focused on art, English, math, engineering (pictured), entrepreneurship, wellness, and yoga
#12 Installed signage for classroom dedications, including Purnell Head of School William Moran, pictured with alumnae Bonner Boynton and Bridget Reilly Class of 1991

JUNE 2023

#1 A seasoned local gent uses the “dowsing method” and a divining rod to find a water source. He was spot on!
#2 The equipment is brought in to drill down into the earth to construct a borehole.
#3 The trenches are dug for the piping to supply water to the bathrooms, kitchen, and science lab.
#4 The borehole is “buried,” which will leave a clean look on the surface.
#5 The plinth, vital to the success of the system, is begun.
#6 The plinth work continues, now surfaced and drying.
#7 Four gigantic new tanks arrive and will soon find their home on the finished plinth.
#8 The tanks are placed and security fencing is installed.
#9 The borehole pump is installed.
#10 The solar panels are mounted, and eco-friendly sourcing is in place!

#11 Raised nearly $2,000 at Sara Campbell on June 3rd and outfitted five more Sandisulwazi HS students in school uniforms
#12 Raised nearly $3,000 at Purnell School on June 17th and outfitted 17 more Sandisulwazi HS students in school uniforms
#13 Funded the insurance for the Universal Promise Academic Centre at Vusumzi Primary School
#14 Hired a local company to build the desks for the Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School lab extension
#15 Ramped UP security on the new Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School computer lab extension
#16 Funded the purchase of four piglets, their food, and their vaccinations for the launch of a local farm whose profits will fund breakfast for 525 primary school children

MAY 2023

#1 Held a wonderful fundraiser at Mission in Middletown in support of the Gaudet Learning Academy + St. Ignatius Primary School (SIPS) Penpal Program
#2 Raised $5,000 at Mission to fund 27 school uniforms & shoes for the few remaining SIPS kids-in-need! In the words of the Fifth Dimension, such Harmony & Understanding
#3 Funded additional laptops on DonorSee to expand the Vusumzi Primary School computer laboratory
#4 Sent the deposit to begin building new security doors and security gates for St. Ignatius Primary School
#5 Sent the deposit to begin the construction of the gigantic new eco-friendly clean water system at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#6 Finalized the volunteer group for July’s trip! We’ve got a teacher’s aid, two engineers, three students, and someone interested in girls’ empowerment and reproductive rights

#7 Submitted a grant to fund another eco-friendly clean water system at a potential partner-school
#8 Prepared a grant to fund new ablutions blocks at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#9 Began to draft a grant for new security measures at a potential partner-school
#10 Oversaw a site-visit with an IT specialist and a general contractor to expand the Computer Lab at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School using the KPMG donated laptops
#11 Finished the funding for an animal & vegetable farm, the profits from which will help feed the children at St. Ignatius Primary School
#12 Finished the funding for 15 more school uniforms at Sandisulwazi High School

APRIL 2023

#1 Edited elements of our website to reflect Northeastern University’s Public Relations class recommendations; this partnership has been superb.
#2 Sent a 60% deposit to Biggs Plumbers & Electrical to start the Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School clean water project!
#3 Received a $1,000 donation from the Gladys Fund through the Rhode Island Foundation - all thanks to Roe O’Brien and Ken Moldow
#4 Launched the funding of 10 more school uniforms for students at Sandisulwazi High School in Paterson through the Purnell Alumnae Legacy Fund
#5 Appointed Meg Pickering to the Board of Directors; click here for Meg’s biography, which highlights her 38 years of federal government service
#6 Funded 10 more school uniforms for students at St. Ignatius Primary School

#7 Officially launched the Northeastern University social media suggestions under the direction of UP Intern Maggie Stark
#8 Funded a full administrator and faculty workshop to learn the CAMI software at Samkelwe Senior Secondary School
#9 Put the finishing touches on a Gaudet Learning Academy + Mission fundraiser in Newport
#10 Applied for two grants and are putting the finishing touches on two others; fingers crossed!
#11 Were featured in an online article about the Gaudet Learning Academy + St. Ignatius Penpal Program
#12 Finalized the volunteer group for the summer of 2023! All newbies!

MARCH 2023

#1 Raised an astounding $12,500 during #401Gives, which finished off the fundraising for an eco-friendly clean water system for 800 students
#2 Had several UP supporters link their stock accounts to our giving page, allowing them to Donate Stock safely in fewer than five minutes
#3 Were accepted to participate in Newport Polo’s All-Charity Day on July 16th; tickets will be on sale shortly! Come support UP and have fun!
#4 Delivered 10 more uniforms to Sandisulwazi HS students, thanks to the Purnell Alumnae Legacy Fund
#5 Finished Phase 3 of our Northeastern University partnership and its PR coursework; changes in our documents and on our website reflect the superb input.
#6 Began receiving donations for the Gettysburg Women’s Soccer 2023 Project: upgrading the St. Ignatius Primary School’s soccer field and eliminating sewage overflow

#7 Connected the two Computer Lab Coordinators (Monwabisi and Simni) at neighboring schools to upgrade the Vusumzi Lab and master the curricular software
#8 Funded the CAMI curricular software for Samkelwe Senior Secondary School and worked with the school to mandate educator-training
#9 Upgraded our stock literature to clarify the process to give and encourage potential donors to donate stock or crypto
#10 Continued to fund uniforms, to clear debt, and to spark joy on DonorSee, a top-notch, humanitarian fundraising platform; follow us on DonorSee for FREE
#11 Purchased 11 laptops to upgrade a computer lab to ensure that each child in a class has one-on-one access to a computer
#12 Joined forces with Sara Campbell to schedule a Sip & Shop day-of-giving for Universal Promise; details to follow

FEBRUARY 2023

#1 Started building a team for #401 Gives, a statewide weekend-of-giving in Rhode Island starting on March 31st. We need you. Click here to sign UP today.
#2 Hand-delivered the Gaudet Learning Academy’s penpal letters to over 50 students at St. Ignatius Primary School and participated in workshops to help the students translate the letters and work on their English
#3 Used the new Arts Studio and arts supplies at St. Ignatius Primary School to compose notes to the learners’ new USA penpal friends
#4 Installed the Wall of Honour tribute in the Vusumzi Primary School Library: including special signage to pay tribute to donors’ loved ones
#5 Delivered 40 school uniforms - 10 each to appreciative students at Moses Mabida SSS, Samkelwe SSS, Sandisulwazi HS, and St. Ignatius Primary
#6 Delivered new laptops to sponsored students who passed the matric, enrolled at university, and started school. Congratulations to all!

#7 Finished the installation of Phase 2 of the clean water system at St. Ignatius Primary School
#8 Met with several former students to facilitate their path to university, college, or technical school
#9 Hand-delivered 20 solar lanterns to parents and their children/learners to provide light to do homework when the country’s electrical grid fails
#10 Thanks to Zimkhitha Zungula, Socio Economic Transformation Officer based at Addo Elephant National Park, we enjoyed an incredible meeting with several South African NGOs/nonprofits to discuss ongoing projects and avenues for collaboration.
#11 Met with a plumbing company to price the cost of digging a borehole and powering it with solar energy to bring clean water - finally - to 800 students at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School
#12 Last but not least (!), we finished UP Phase 2 of a Public Relations collaboration with Northeastern University. Under the leadership of Professors Ed Powers and Dana Harris, the students presented a remarkable report that will help Universal Promise evolve with respect to PR and Marketing. We love working with Northeastern University and its intelligent, empathetic, creative students!

JANUARY 2023

#1 Our yearly gala is set for Saturday, November 18th, at Stoneacre Garden in Newport. Some classics. Some new twists. Same Mission. Save the date!
#2 Join our Clean Water Team to raise funds on #401GIVES, an April 1st day-of-giving. Contact us for information.
#3 We upgraded security measures at Moses Mabida HS. Before, they had dilapidated doors, broken hinges, no locks, no security gates, undignified entrances, and even fear. Now they have new doors with a protective finish, new locks, new security gates, and this from the principal: “Oh, how I wish you could have been here to see their joy. No, to feel their joy. To really see the difference.”
#4 This month alone, we funded 30 school uniforms, 45 pair of school shoes, 10 school blazers, 10 school tracksuits, and 20 bags of school supplies. School uniforms change everything! To see what children still require school uniforms, visit here: https://donorsee.com/universalpromise.
#5 We began Phase 2 of the water system overhaul at St. Ignatius Primary School. We cannot wait to see children walk to a water fountain and drink as much as they want from an immaculate water source. That is not too much to ask.
#6 Penpals are back! We're pairing South African and RI Grade 5 students so they may experience, early on, that Earth's diversity is its greatest gift.

#7 Discussions with Purnell School alumnae led them to adopt a South African school to fund new uniforms! Visit here to learn more: universalpromise.org/alumnae-legacy-fund.
#8 The Gettysburg College Women's Soccer program is back on-board to fund clean water and a soccer field for 500 children: universalpromise.org/bulletswomenssoccer.
#9 Our partnership with a PR class at NU is enlightening in all directions and targeting a transformative approach for UP. We're so grateful!#10 The SRU Enactus Team is working with us to bring a hydroponics lab to a partner-school in South Africa: more A+ ideas from tomorrow's leaders.
#10 The SRU Enactus Team is working with us to bring a hydroponics lab to a partner-school in South Africa: more A+ ideas from tomorrow's leaders.
#11 Overflow makes helping nonprofits accept stock and crypto donations easy. Reap the benefits of donating stock, and join those who linked their brokerage firms to support UP today! Visit here to learn more: universalpromise.org/faqsaboutdonating.
#12 VOLUNTEER WITH US to give, to learn, to laugh, to reflect, and to live with even more purpose. Contact us, if you're interested.

2022 VISUALS