What began as mentorship has grown into a livelihood, a commitment to supporting youth, and a ripple effect reaching far beyond one classroom. Tracy grew up in Gulu, Northern Uganda, in a family where education was strongly valued, even though resources were stretched thin. While in secondary school, she was determined to make the most of the opportunities available to her, eagerly joining Educate!’s model in Uganda, which supports young men and women to build confidence, agency, and practical skills to pursue economic opportunity.

As a Congolese refugee living in Uganda, Olivier drew on skills and confidence he built with support from Educate! to start a business and chart a new path forward. At just sixteen, Olivier fled the Democratic Republic of Congo for Uganda, leaving behind his home and a childhood cut short by war. He still remembers the day he returned from school to an empty house and a note from his parents urging him to run. They had already set out toward the Ugandan border, hoping he would find his way too.

Peer-to-peer mentorship bridges the gap between learning and practical application whether within the education system or through out-of-school youth bootcamps.