Sister Schools

Home
United States
Seattle, WA
Sister Schools

Sister Schools partners schools in Washington State with schools and orphanages in Uganda, East Africa. Both new and used items are acepted.

Every fall, Sister Schools staff visits fifteen to twenty schools in Washington State. Through pictures and stories, the overwhelming difficulties faced by children in Ugandan schools and orphanages is made real. A supply drive is then organized and students are encouraged to participate in ways that are meaningful to them. After the items are distributed in Uganda, a return presentation to each s

chool is given showing students the direct impact of their specific gifts. Our children see Ugandan children receiving their individual donations. In a uniquely personal and powerful way, Sister Schools gives our children a better understanding of the world in which they live and helps them experience the life-changing effect of personally serving others.

04/13/2026

Sister Schools' Development Director, Caitlin Sakuma, has an important update to share.
What may sound like “two pallets of school supplies” is actually much more than that: notebooks, pencils, crayons, backpacks, and books that students in Uganda depend on for learning.
Right now, those supplies are stuck in Dubai due to ongoing shipping disruptions in the Middle East. Even with a recent ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and shipping costs have risen dramatically. That means added emergency fees, higher fuel-related costs, and expensive overland transport from Mombasa into Uganda.
In this video, Caitlin shares more about the situation, what it means for our partner schools, and how our community can help.
This week, every dollar donated will be matched up to $3,000 - doubling the impact of every gift and helping these supplies continue their journey from Seattle to classrooms in Uganda.
If you’re able to give or share, your support will help get these essential learning tools to the students who need them most.
Donate here: https://www.sisterschools.org/match

03/15/2026

Celebrating Martha 🎓

We’re thrilled to celebrate Martha, a Sister Schools scholarship student who has just graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. Raised by a single mother, Martha grew up facing many challenges. At one point, her family couldn’t afford to replace a torn school uniform, so she spent the school year tying a sweater around her waist just to stay in class.

But Martha never gave up.

With determination, hard work, and support from the Sister Schools community, she continued her education and achieved something remarkable.

Today, she graduates as a dental surgeon - a powerful reminder that education can transform lives.

✨ Learn more about Martha’s journey: https://www.sisterschools.org/post/celebrating-martha-from-classroom-dreams-to-dental-surgeon

❤️ Help support more students like Martha through our Varsity monthly giving program: https://www.sisterschools.org/varsity

Congratulations, Martha! We are so proud of you. ❤️

02/26/2026

✨

We’re still smiling, thinking about our Benefit Brunch 2025, and we couldn’t have done it without our Gold Sponsor, Bothell Everett Kids Dentistry!

Their generous support helped us raise over $56,000 to empower students in Seattle and Uganda through education, leadership, and global connection.

Bothell-Everett Kids Dentistry doesn’t just create healthy smiles -they invest in kids’ futures. Their commitment to children’s well-being extends far beyond the dental chair and into the heart of our community.

Because of partners like them, Sister Schools can build bridges across continents and inspire the next generation of compassionate leaders.

Please join us in giving them a big thank you for being true champions for kids, locally and globally. 💛

Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.bekidsdentistry.com/

02/23/2026

Calling All University of Washington Students!
Sister Schools is now recruiting for two exciting internship opportunities:
✨ Digital Engagement Intern: https://lnkd.in/guH82buN
✨ Video Editing Intern: https://lnkd.in/gYjk2N6X
Our Handshake postings (open to UW students only) close at the end of this month (February 28th, 2026), so don’t wait!
These roles are perfect for students who want to:
• Gain hands-on experience in digital marketing and content creation
• Build a professional portfolio with meaningful, mission-driven work
• Help amplify stories that connect students in Seattle and Uganda
You can apply in one of two ways:
1️⃣ Apply directly through Handshake [links above]
2️⃣ Email your CV to [email protected]
If you’re passionate about storytelling, creativity, and making a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Tag a UW student who should apply 👇
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

02/21/2026

Community partnerships make our work possible, and Windermere Shoreline is a shining example.

As our Gold Sponsor for Echo Lake Elementary, their generous $1,000 sponsorship helps bring the full Sister Schools program to more than 410 students, empowering young people to build empathy, leadership, and global connection.

Windermere Real Estate has long been known for its commitment to strengthening the communities it serves. Through a culture of local investment and giving back, they continue to support initiatives that uplift families and children, and we are so grateful to be part of that impact.

This gift represents more than financial support. It reflects a belief in students, in connection across continents, and in the power of education to shape a brighter future.

Thank you, Windermere, for investing in our students and our community.

Interested in sponsoring your local school?

Join businesses like Windermere in making a lasting impact.

📩 [email protected]

📞 206-447-6962

02/14/2026

February is often filled with big romantic gestures and loud expressions of love.
But at Sister Schools, we see love show up in quieter - and more lasting - ways.
We see it in students in Seattle and Uganda sharing stories and books across continents.
We see it in volunteers who give their time.
We see it in donors and partners who believe every child deserves the tools to learn, grow, and dream.
Love, to us, is connection.
It’s opportunity.
It’s showing up for one another - across the globe.
This Valentine’s Day, we’re grateful for every student, parent, teacher, volunteer, and supporter who makes this work possible.
Want to help love travel even farther?

Join us as a school partner: https://lnkd.in/gWzmwrJb
or become a Varsity monthly supporter. https://lnkd.in/gKygmU3b

Thank you for being part of a love story that reaches around the world. 🌍❤️
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

02/04/2026

We’re excited to officially welcome Bennett Elementary PTSA as a community partner of Sister Schools.

Bennett PTSA is a parent-teacher-student association dedicated to supporting Bennett Elementary through strong family engagement, community building, and educational enrichment. By partnering with families, educators, and the local community, Bennett PTSA helps create a positive and inclusive learning environment where students can thrive.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to education, service, and expanding global perspectives for students. Together, we look forward to creating meaningful cross-cultural learning opportunities that connect classrooms and inspire the next generation of global citizens.

🔗 Learn more about Bennett PTSA: https://www.bennettptsa.org/

📩 Interested in partnering with Sister Schools?

Please email us at [email protected] - we’d love to connect.

01/25/2026

We’re delighted to welcome Wenqi Wang as our newest UW Foster School of Business Board Fellow 🎉
Wenqi joins Sister Schools through the UW Consulting and Business Development Center, which connects graduate students with mission-driven organizations to create meaningful, real-world impact.
Wenqi is a Senior Technical Project Manager within Microsoft AI and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Washington. She brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to education and equity. Her past leadership on the Asians at Microsoft AI board reflects her passion for building inclusive, thriving communities.
👉 Read more about Wenqi and her journey with Sister Schools: https://lnkd.in/gkn7mkbm
💙 Want to support the students and global connections that make this work possible? Become a monthly Varsity Donor and help sustain Sister Schools’ programs year-round: https://lnkd.in/gKygmU3b

Please join us in giving Wenqi a very warm welcome!

01/09/2026

As we begin the new year, we’re excited to welcome Derek Lobo to the Sister Schools Advisory Board.

Born in Uganda and raised in Toronto, Derek brings a global perspective shaped by decades of work in law, education, and community service. Over a 30-year career, he has supported small businesses and nonprofits with a strong focus on service and social impact.

Derek’s commitment extends beyond his professional work, from teaching and coaching to supporting young social impact entrepreneurs across Uganda and other emerging economies. He is also the founder of Einstein Rising Canada, a nonprofit closely aligned with our mission to connect students across borders.

As Derek shared, Sister Schools is “an important first step in building Uganda’s future.”

We’re grateful to start the year with his leadership, insight, and lived experience guiding our work.

Here’s to a new year of learning, connection, and impact.

We shared more about Derek’s story, values, and connection to Sister Schools in our latest blog. Read more here:https://www.sisterschools.org/post/welcome-derek-lobo

12/31/2025

Some shelves are full. Others are still waiting.

This bookshelf holds stories, lessons, and ideas that have already traveled far- but there’s still space for more.

For students like Paul, filling these gaps means access to books they’ve never had before, and ideas that can open entirely new paths.

The books are ready.

The curiosity is already there.

Tomorrow is the last day to help us fill the shelves.

👉 Give today: https://www.sisterschools.org/year-end

12/29/2025

Paul wants to be an inventor.

He dreams of building clean energy solutions for his community. What he needs is access to information, inspiration, and tools.

BOOKS!

Right now, students in Seattle have done their part - collecting thousands of books and school supplies.

Your donation helps us get those resources into classrooms in Uganda, where students like Paul are ready to learn.

📚 Your gift can:
✔️ Stock classrooms with books
✔️ Provide essential school supplies
✔️ Inspire the next generation of problem-solvers

🔗 Give today and help empower young innovators: https://www.sisterschools.org/year-end

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from Sister Schools

As the year comes to a close, we’re celebrating the connections that brought our community together: students, families, educators, and supporters across Seattle and Uganda.

This year, children shared stories, school supplies, and pieces of their culture, discovering how much they have in common: curiosity, kindness, and a love of learning. What began as simple acts of participation and generosity grew into meaningful friendships that crossed classrooms, countries, and continents.

To our students who showed empathy,

to families who encouraged learning beyond borders,

to educators who opened their classrooms,

and to supporters who made these connections possible. THANK YOU!

From all of us at Sister Schools, and from the many students whose lives you’ve helped brighten, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, reflection, and connection.

Address

P. O. Box 99492
Seattle, WA
98139

Telephone

+12064476962

Website

http://www.sisterschools.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sister Schools posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Sister Schools:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Seattle?