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An Evening to Empower Raises $14,000 to Support Students in Uganda


Flyer for An Evening to Empower at Bistro Del Lago.
An Evening to Empower Flyer

An Evening to Empower Raises $14,000 to Support Students in Uganda

We are overwhelmed with gratitude to everyone who joined us and supported An Evening to Empower. Last Saturday night was truly magical. Bistro Del Lago was filled nearly to capacity with people who care deeply about making a difference in the world, and together we reached — and even slightly exceeded — our goal of $14,000.


Moments like this remind us that meaningful change happens when people come together with a shared purpose.

What Happens Next

With the funds raised, the Board of Speakers for Africa is now responsible for implementing these resources carefully, efficiently, and sustainably while maintaining our commitment to transparency and accountability.

Before any project begins, we conduct board meetings, needs assessments, and field reports to ensure the work we undertake addresses the most important barriers preventing students from accessing education.

Our process includes collaboration with:

  • local community leaders in Uganda

  • Ugandan government officials

  • local engineers and construction professionals

  • technical advisors and engineering partners

  • organizations such as Engineers Without Borders

  • Rotary Clubs in Uganda and Colorado

These partnerships allow us to ensure that every dollar donated is maximized and that projects are built properly, responsibly, and sustainably.

Helping communities effectively requires patience, diligence, and collaboration. We take great care to ensure projects are designed correctly, built safely, and maintained by the communities themselves.

Peyton Thomas speaks to the crowd about how they can help Uganda.
Executive Director, Peyton Thomas speaks to a full room about how they can help Ugandan students.

Our Responsibility to Donors

Speakers for Africa is a 100% volunteer-led organization, and the generosity surrounding this event was extraordinary.

With that generosity comes responsibility.

We believe donors deserve to know that their support is being used wisely, transparently, and efficiently. That means careful planning, thorough oversight, and ensuring that projects are completed correctly without waste or misuse of resources.

Sustainability is central to our mission.

We are not a handout organization.

Instead, we work alongside communities to provide tools, infrastructure, and knowledge so they can strengthen and improve their own futures. When communities take ownership of projects, the impact lasts far beyond the initial construction.

A Community Effort

The success of the evening would not have been possible without the generosity of many people.

We are especially grateful to our board member and Bistro Del Lago owner JR Iannaccone for donating a Saturday night at the restaurant.

Thank you to Head Chef Violet Iannaccone for dedicating her time and extraordinary talent to preparing an unforgettable meal.

The evening was also filled with incredible music thanks to Lee Pulliam and Cliff Baumer, who volunteered their time and talent to provide outstanding entertainment.

We would also like to thank our principal sponsors:

  • Pandora John Properties

  • Evergreen Clothing and Mercantile

  • Summit Executive Cleaning

  • Bistro Del Lago

Your support and commitment to the Evergreen community are truly remarkable.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the evening was not just the fundraising. It was the conversations, the questions, and the shared commitment to understanding how we can work together to support students and communities in Uganda.

What It Means to Be a Speaker for Africa

At Speakers for Africa, we believe something very simple but very powerful:

Anyone can be a Speaker for Africa.

In Uganda, disadvantaged students — especially those from marginalized communities — are often not heard beyond their villages or schools.

Our role is not to tell them what they need.

Our role is to listen.

Students and communities know their challenges better than anyone. They are capable of speaking for themselves. But too often their voices do not reach beyond their local communities.

Speakers for Africa helps amplify those voices.

When you support this organization, your voice joins theirs. Your support helps ensure that the stories, needs, and ideas of these students are heard.

Join Us

Saturday night was not just about raising funds.

It was about inviting you to join us.

Becoming a Speaker for Africa means: following the work we are doing

  • asking questions and learning more

  • offering expertise or advice

  • supporting the mission financially if you are able

  • sharing this work with others

This organization belongs first and foremost to the communities we serve in Uganda. But it also belongs to anyone who believes in education, dignity, and opportunity.

If you have experience with water projects, engineering, development work, or education, we would love to hear from you.

If you are a student seeking volunteer opportunities or school credit, we are a registered 501(c)(3) organization and are happy to provide recommendation letters and meaningful ways to get involved.

Because when we work together, we do more than build infrastructure.

We create opportunity.We restore dignity.And we help students find their voice.

So become a Speaker for Africa.

Help amplify the voices of vulnerable students in Uganda.

Learn more:https://www.speakersforafrica.org With all the love and gratitude,

Peyton Thomas and Penny Randell (founders of Speakers for Africa)



Jake Franklin at this table. Cliff Baumer, a Speaker for Africa

 
 
 
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