Let’s bring the community together and support the work of  Educate!, who is empowering youth in Uganda by teaching an extracurricular social entrepreneurship leadership curriculum that enables them to start social initiatives and transform their communities. Investing in youth now will create socially responsible future leaders. With community support, Educate!’s mission: “to educate and empower the next generation of socially responsible leaders in Africa,” can take root, grow and produce lasting positive change. ~Lindsey Block

Here’s more about the Hike for Uganda from the Educate! team:

Though an Ocean Divided, Through a Common Cause United.

Lace up your hiking boots. Educate! is hosting the 2nd Annual Hike for Uganda on August 28 from 8:30 a..m. until 1:30 p.m. at the top of Flagstaff at Green Mountain in Boulder, Colorado. The event celebrates the powerful connection between Educate!’s U.S. supporters and its Ugandan students as participants in Boulder and Kamapla, Uganda will trek to the top of a peak, symbolizing the common goal of empowering the next generation of socially responsible leaders.

“We’re joining cultures and communities,” said Eric Glustrom, who founded Educate! in 2002. “The Hike is a chance to unite our incredible students and the generous individuals who make that education possible. We will all be standing atop a mountain, cheering for a common cause.”

Educate! believes the solutions to Uganda’s problems with poverty, disease and environmental degradation will come from within the Ugandan communities themselves. The organization works to unlock the potential within African youth and empower future generation of leaders. The Hike will raise awareness and funds for education programs in Africa; all of the money raised will directly support Educate!’s 830 Ugandan students as they work to transform their communities.

“The Hike is a great opportunity to socialize with other Educate! supporters and hear updates about the Educate! students’ work in Uganda,” said Maya Ellman, Director of Communications for Educate!. “The funds we raise will make a significant difference in the lives of our students.”

The event offers two distance options, four-miles and two-miles, catering to varied fitness levels. Hikers will also enjoy music by local Boulder band, Lost Angel Station, whose unique bluegrass sound is infused with flavors of old time, modern rock, reggae, folk and Celtic influences. Bagels, snacks and other refreshments will be available. Vic’s Espresso will provide coffee and hot chocolate to rev up eager participants.

Kids too will enjoy themselves with facepainting and music. The shorter hiking option allows families to participate in the event together. And afterward, many families will head to Beau Jo’s for post-hike pizza; Beau Jo’s will donate 20% of the profits from customers who bring in the Hike flier.

Registration, breakfast, kids’ activities and live music will go from 8:30-9 a.m. The kick-off is at 9:15 a.m., and the hike begins at 9:30 a.m.Tickets are available for $10 pre-sale and $15 after August 25, 2010 as well as on the day of the event. Sign-up ahead of time at www.experienceeducate.org/hike-for-uganda. Kids under 12 are free. Dogs on leashes are also welcome and Educate! will provide plastic bags and treats.

“This is going to be a great day,” Glustrom said. “Old friends and new friends, a hike in beautiful Boulder and delicious pizza from Beau Jo’s–all in the name of a great cause!”

About Educate!

Educate!, founded in 2002, empowers students across Uganda to drive the social, political and economic development of their communities. We teach a two-year curriculum on how to lead social change, provide long term mentoring, and create a life-long, national network that equips students with the skills and confidence necessary to transform their communities. Educate! students create locally-grown, market based initiatives that solve the challenges of poverty, disease, and environmental degradation.

Today, Educate! is empowering 830 young leaders at 24 high schools across Uganda and has impacted over 15,000 people. A recent winner of the Champions of Quality Education in Africa competition, a collaboration between Ashoka’s Changemakers and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Educate! was also recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as one of 100 Brilliant Companies in 2009, by DoSomething as an organization started by one of America’s top five change-makers under 25 and by the Echoing Green fellowship, recognizing the highest potential start-up social change ventures worldwide.

Educate! Mission: To educate and empower the next generation of socially responsible leaders in Africa.