Two Rising Seniors Go On “Life-Changing” Service Trip to Uganda

In July, rising seniors Matthew LesStrang ‘19 and Jack Cowden ‘19 spent 2 ½ weeks with seven other Arlington, Virginia high school students volunteering at primary schools and health clinics in rural Uganda. The trip was organized by the Arlington Academy of Hope (AAH), which partners with communities in Uganda to improve the quality of daily life through education, healthcare, and community development.

Thanks to the generosity of the Gonzaga varsity crew team, LesStrang raised over $600 to provide soccer equipment to the Arlington Junior School, the sister school of Arlington Traditional School (his elementary school), and 26 other outreach schools in Uganda.

Cowden and LesStrang described their trip to Uganda as life-changing. "The biggest takeaway was definitely learning how different their childhoods are and the struggles they go through every day," Cowden said about working with the children in Uganda. "Yet, they have so many similarities to us like a love for sports and learning."

“Seeing such absolute poverty first hand was eye-opening,” LesStrang said. “I've returned home energized and more motivated than ever to make a difference. Education is the key to a brighter future for these kids and their families.”