In 1997, Uganda introduced a policy of universal primary education, abolishing all school fees for the country's public schools. The move opened the doors of schools to millions of children who never thought they'd get an education. In a single year, national enrollment in primary schools doubled, from 2.9 to 5.7 million.

But not all children marched into schools when fees were abolished. For the poorest of the poor, even the smallest expenses like uniforms and notebooks continue to make going to school unaffordable. Uganda's 1 million AIDS orphans face the greatest uphill battles in getting an education. Many of them must take on the responsibilities of their parents, including caring for younger children and taking on jobs.

The Nyaka AIDS Foundation has been working since 2001 to make education a reality for AIDS orphans in Uganda's Kanungu district, one of the poorest in the country. Nyaka focuses its efforts on assisting orphans from rural areas, providing them with a free education while involving members of the local community to act as foster families during the school year.

The Nyaka school embraces a holistic approach to learning, creating a positive environment that fosters students confidence both inside and outside of the classroom. The low student–to-teacher ratios ensure lots of personal attention and high quality instruction. Students also receive medical care and nutrition education to ensure their physical well being goes hand in hand with their mental growth.

The Nyaka AIDS Foundation's activities reach beyond their learning in the school to the whole community. Through the song, dance and drama, students in Nyaka's Anti-AIDS Club spread awareness to neighboring schools about preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS and about living with the virus. The school's community gardens have provided more than 500 families with seeds for planting vegetables, and shared their produce with local families.