named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Bakery Project
Income-generating initiative selling small cakes in the local community to support sustainability.
Farm Project
Acquired farmland one hour from the home where children grow food for home use and sale, learning agricultural and entrepreneurial skills.
Recycled Tire Sandal Making
Children create sandals from used tires for personal use, gifting, and sale as part of self-reliance and skill-building efforts.
Scholarship Fund
Provides financial support for education through individual sponsors who cover school fees and related costs for each child.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Individual Child Education Sponsorship 2 activities
- Directly providing comprehensive educational support to children in UgandaSupports the educational enrollment and academic development of all 20 children residing at the Jajja's Kids home, covering full costs and offering mentorship from primary school through university. The organization has supported formerly street-connected youth in becoming college and university students for over two decades.
- Funding education for Ugandan children through individual sponsorshipsOperates a one-to-one scholarship and sponsorship program that connects donors with individual students to cover full educational costs, including tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and supplies from primary through university or vocational levels. Sponsors receive regular updates on the child’s progress.
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Residential Care for At-Risk Youth 2 activities
- Operating a residential home for formerly homeless children in UgandaProvides shelter, three meals daily, clothing, medical care, and daily living support for 20 formerly homeless children at a permanent residential facility in Kampala, Uganda. The home was purchased in 2019 to ensure long-term housing stability.
- Providing basic needs and educational outreach to slum-dwelling children in KampalaDelivers lessons in English and math, along with meals, showers, and clothing, to children living in the slums of Kampala, extending services beyond the residential program.
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Volunteer Mobilization for Community Improvement 1 activity
- Organizing community engagement and volunteer programsFacilitates community service projects such as road repair and cleanups with local neighbors, hosts U.S.-based volunteers for in-person visits and skilled labor contributions (e.g., plumbing, construction), and organizes recreational activities like soccer games between residents and local children.
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Agricultural Training and Education Programs 1 activity
- Running income-generating and agricultural projects for program sustainabilityOperates a farm located one hour from the residential home where children grow food for consumption and sale, alongside other income-generating initiatives such as a bakery, chicken/egg farming, tire sandal production, and a truck-based transportation service. These projects aim to promote financial self-sufficiency.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$137K
Contributions & grants$24K17%
Program service revenue$109K80%
Investment income$380%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$92K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$86K
balance sheet
Total assets$119K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$119K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +133.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 1
- Diane Reiner — Executive Director
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Bukalasa Vocational Institute Partner — Partner institution where a Jajja's Kids beneficiary earned an Agriculture Certificate.
- Burganda Royal Institute Partner — Partner institution where a Jajja's Kids beneficiary graduated from Chef Studies.
- Diane Reiner Partner — Co-founder of Jajja's Kids, instrumental in creating programs for Ugandan street children.
- First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush, NY Partner — Religious organization supporting Jajja's Kids.
- Global Law Firm Partner — Albany, NY-based law firm partnering with Jajja's Kids.
- Great Danes Connect Partner — Featured Diane Reiner '68, Founder and Executive Director of Jajja's Kids, in a profile.
- International University of East Africa Partner — Partner institution where a Jajja's Kids beneficiary is pursuing Civil Engineering.
- JJKsponsor@gmail.com Partner — Point of contact for sponsors; used by the Scholarship Fund Program Coordinator to communicate with donors and provide child updates.
- Maestro Dentistry Partner — Dental practice in Albany, NY supporting Jajja's Kids.
- Ronnie Sseruyange Partner — Co-founder of Jajja's Kids and former street child who guides efforts to support homeless children in Kampala.
- Susan Fowler Partner — Co-led board leadership and program visits to Uganda with Mark Saker; first connected through her second-grade class's Skype exchange with Jajja's Kids in 2015.
- U.S. team supporting Jajja's Kids Partner — Provides support for educational advancement and career development of the children.
- donors Partner — Connects individual donors with students to fund educational resources through the Scholarship Fund.
- non-governmental organization Partner — Longstanding partner NGO that operates a home for former street children and delivers community training programs, supported by JAJJAS KIDS INC for over 15 years
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Child Sponsorship with Personal Connectionmethodology: one-to-one sponsorship modelBy linking individual donors directly to specific children through one-to-one sponsorship, the organization ensures sustained funding for education and holistic needs, because personal donor relationships increase accountability and long-term commitment to child outcomes.
- Comprehensive Youth Support Modelmethodology: comprehensive-youth-supportBy providing integrated support in housing, education, and community-based training, the organization enables former street children to achieve economic and social self-sufficiency because stable environments and skill development address root causes of vulnerability.
- Education as a Pathway to Self-Reliancemethodology: education-pathways-for-street-childrenBy using education as a long-term pathway out of poverty, the organization helps formerly homeless children become college-ready and economically independent, because sustained educational access breaks cycles of marginalization and builds agency.
- Family-Model Care with Lived Experience Integrationmethodology: family-model_careBy placing children in structured family environments guided by caregivers with lived experience of street life, the organization fosters cooperation, responsibility, and trust, because shared experience enhances cultural relevance and emotional safety in care practices.
- Practical Skill Development and Youth Leadershipmethodology: practical-skill-developmentBy supporting youth-led initiatives such as farming projects, the organization builds leadership and practical skills, because hands-on participation in income-generating activities promotes entrepreneurship and self-efficacy.