The Jewel Michaels Foundation for Education was launched today at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani District, with General (Rtd) Salim Saleh, Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), officiating as Guest of Honor and committing Shs 35 million to kick-start the initiative.
“This foundation is a noble cause. I am proud to officially launch it and offer 35 million shillings to support its take-off,” Gen. Saleh said, adding that investing in children’s education is investing in Uganda’s future.
The foundation, established by Queen Jewel Michaels, the reigning Miss Teen Pearl of Africa 2024/2025 and Miss Teen of The Universe Uganda 2024, seeks to promote school enrollment, retention, and completion among underprivileged children in the West Nile sub-region. Its motto is “Our Children, Our Treasure.”
Jewel, a 15-year-old student at Vine International Christian Academy, told the gathering: “At the Jewel Michaels Foundation for Education, our dream is to ensure that every child goes to school, stays in school, and completes school, so they can grow into resourceful citizens of this country.”
She later handed a 16-page memorandum on improving education outcomes in West Nile to the Guest of Honor, calling for an end to high school dropout rates in the sub-region. The document outlined the foundation’s key programs, including scholarships, provision of scholastic materials, mentorship, and community support.
The event attracted several high-profile leaders who pledged their support. Gen. Moses Ali (Rtd), the Second Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Adjumani West County, contributed Shs 5 million. “We must stand with our children. By supporting this foundation, we are giving the young generation a chance to succeed where many of us struggled,” he said.
Other leaders, including Adjumani Woman MP Jessica Ababiku, Ayivu East MP Geoffrey Feta, and Adjumani East MP James Mamawi, each contributed Shs 1 million.
“As leaders, we shall rally behind this 15-year-old daughter of Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Michael Ondoga, who is working hard to support the education sector,” Ababiku said. “We shall continue to journey with her to ensure her dreams are achieved.”
Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Michael Ondoga, OWC West Nile Coordinator and father of Jewel, chairs the foundation’s board of trustees.
He emphasized that education is a shared responsibility. “It is our collective duty to ensure no child drops out of school because of poverty. The foundation is one way we can work together to lift our children,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Charles Otema Awany, the General Officer Commanding Reserve Force, also pledged Shs 10 million in support of the foundation.
The launch drew thousands of residents, parents, youth groups, and community leaders, who praised the initiative as a timely intervention in a region grappling with high school dropout rates. Many hailed Jewel’s effort as proof that young people can inspire change.
