The Price of Stones: Building a School for My Village

by Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, Susan Urbanek Linville

The extraordinary story of one man's gift to orphaned children in need of hope

Can one person really make a difference in the world? Twesigye Jackson Kaguri defied many naysayers-and his own nagging doubts-and proved that, with a dream and incredible determination, he could change many lives.

Growing up in rural Uganda, Kaguri overcame poverty to earn a degree from the national university and worked as a human rights advocate, eventually making his way to pursue studies at Columbia University. When he returned to his village in Uganda with his wife, they were overwhelmed by the plight of his village's many AIDS orphans and vowed to open the first tuition-free school in the district for these children. Faced with many daunting obstacles, including little money, skepticism among friends in both the U.S. and Uganda, corrupt school inspectors, and a lack of supplies, he doggedly built one classroom after another until they had an accredited primary school filled with students dreaming of becoming the future doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, and even presidents of Uganda.

The Price of Stones is the stirring story behind the founding of the Nyaka AIDS Orphans School. Weaving together tales from his youth with the enormously inspiring account of the remarkable challenges and triumphs of the school, Kaguri shows how someone with a modest idea is capable of achieving monumental results. His story will captivate all readers of Three Cups of Tea and Tracy Kidder's Strength in What Remains.

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Memoir, Uganda, Education, Biography, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2010

About the author

Twesigye Jackson Kaguri was raised in Uganda, graduated from Makarere University, and was a visiting scholar at Columbia University. He is the associate director of development at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, and the founder and director of the Nyaka and Kutamba AIDS Orphans Schools in Uganda.

Co-author Susan Urbanek Linville is a biologist and writer who lives in Pennsylvania."

Reviews

[Kathrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad that Mr. Kaguri happened to walk into my store when I was around. I'm so glad he asked to sign stock, and I'm so glad I had some for him to sign. I'm so glad I read his book the very next day, and I'm so glad he promised to swing through my store again next week on his return. Everything about this book, this man, this story, makes me glad.
I always feel a little bit split on books like this -- here's a man who's accomplished an enormous amount of make-this-world-a-better-place, almost fairytale success in bringing education, clean water, health, and hope to a very desperate community. He worked hard, persevered, and achieved. At the same time, he's still working, still fundraising, and this book exists not just because he has a great story to tell, but because he's got more work to do and needs more money to do it. This book is a fundraiser. But how can I knock it, when I believe in what he's doing? I get a kind of icky feeling when I realize a book is not just a book, but is attempting to coerce me towards doing something. But, oh the conflict, I should be doing something, and you should, too. And his story really is worth knowing, even if you don't do a damn thing. I have nothing but the utmost respect for people who can dedicate their lives to the betterment of others, and I pile on more respect when they can write about that experience with skill and tenderness. Of course he needs donations to make the improvements he desires; of course the book is there to thresh out those who might donate. If you're looking for a way to throw some good out into the world, this is a trustworthy, effective direction to throw it. It's also important reading for any citizen of the world.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspirational story about the difference one person can make in a community. I really enjoyed this book about a Ugandan graduate student in the US who takes it upon himself to build a school for orphans in his rural Ugandan community.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover photo for this book is lovely - smiling, joyous children running, and the background is composed of green beautiful hills. Hard to believe these children are orphans, victims of HIV/AIDS.
This is one of those incredible true stories of a person who saw a need and vowed to do what he could to help. Twesigye Jackson Kaguri is from Uganda. When his older brother was dying of AIDS, he asked Twesigye to take on the responsibility for his children. Twesigye agreed and also tried to give bits of help to other poor people in his community, and then realized the need for a tuition-free school for orphans. With no resources of his own, and no idea of how to start, he and his wife just decided to start, anyway. This is the story of that decision, and its results which became much more far-reaching than the school itself.
I never cease to be amazed and terribly impressed by people like this, and of how the world opens its arms (and pocketbooks) to help. Great things can be accomplished. The Price of Stnes is both well-written and inspiring.

[Liza Fireman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible true story, that shows how much a single person can do to change the world. Kaguri, which is a native Ugandan, changed the lives of many children, orphans, victims of HIV/AIDS, and building a tuition-free school for them was just the first step of what he did. He opened their eyes to seek opportunities, he showed them that they can grow up and be someone, and that is priceless. Kaguri and his wife show such a huge amount of selflessness that is touching, and dedication and initiative that are inspiring.
It is amazing that a one person's decision, can accomplish such amazing things and go so far. The Price of Stnes is both well-written and inspiring.

[Fatima A. Alsaif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that leaves you overwhelmed with so many emotions that you end up hugging the book?! That’s basically what happened to me! Throughout the book, I’ve read chapters that left me heartbroken with teary eyes, while others warmed my heart so much that I smiled SO big until my face hurt.

I cannot believe some humans are VERY selfless that they are willing to dedicate their time, come back from retirement, or give up goals and dreams like buying a house for a much greater good, like building a school for orphans who lost either or both parents due to HIV/AIDS, ALL FREE OF COST! This author doesn’t sugarcoat the journey to making this come true. He had to overcome constant challenges, self-doubts, many personal financial struggles, and the uncertainty of acquiring enough funding to keep the school running. And there were multiple occasions when the author and founder of Nyaka Primary school for Orphans had concerns about whether the school would make it to another school year.

But with the author's honest and hard work, dedication, and good hearts of his friends and people in his community, he was able to make A HUGE impact serving his village in Uganda.

I believe this is an extraordinary book, and I cannot recommend it enough. And honestly, I don’t think any review I write would give it justice.

[Matleena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review I wrote for my college course on Contemporary World Culture. I chose to read A School for My Village, and thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Reading A School for My Village – A promise to the Orphans of Nyaka was an incredible experience. Originally, I picked the book because it had not been selected by any other student in our Contemporary World Culture class. After reading it, I can safely say that I have no regrets and, somehow, I am so, so grateful I made the choice of picking this book.
A School for My Village is the deeply emotional memoir of Twesigye Jackson Kaguri who relates his efforts in building and operating a school in his hometown of Nyakakagyezi in the Kanungu district of Uganda. Having experienced the AIDS crisis firsthand, Kaguri decided to support the local AIDS orphans (children who lost both of their parents to HIV/AIDS and are left resourceless) and offer them free education. The book follows the evolution of the Nyaka Aids Orphans Project, from the school’s opening in 2001 to the first graduation, seven years later, in 2008. The story is far from being over, though, and progress is continuously being made, with the creation of a second school in Kutamba, of a community library, a community farm, a vocational secondary school, etc. (“History of Nyaka”).
Overall, A School for My Village was an incredibly emotional journey. Kaguri narrates years of his life, relating his childhood during Idi Amin’s dictatorship (1971-1979), his life with his parents, his constant thirst for knowledge which brought him to the United States and, finally, his and his wife’s decision to support AIDS orphan in Uganda. There is so much to learn from the book, both in academic and cultural knowledge of Uganda as well as morale and motivational lessons to show how much change one individual can bring.
Having studied African culture as part of my Contemporary World Culture course, I recognized and identified many elements I had read about in Understanding Global Cultures (Gannon and Pillai, 2015), I was able to compile a non-exclusive list of cultural information we can get from the book.
I believe that it is impossible not to start with the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. The subject is barely mentioned in our textbook which indicates that “there are thousands of HIV orphans [in Nigeria], and [that] life expectancy for both men and women has declined over the last decade” (Gannon and Pillai, 432). It does not touch on the Ugandan HIV/AIDS crisis, despite the fact that the disease, nicknamed Slim in the country, is “killing nearly 100,000 Ugandans a year” (Kaguri, 30), “a mind-numbing figure” as Kaguri puts it (50). Kaguri provides his readers with all the information they might need to understand the reality of the AIDS crisis in Uganda, refusing to stop at numbers and let the children become “another statistic to be posted on the Internet, another nameless death in Africa” (180). Through his book, Kaguri achieves the re-humanization of all of these numbers. The millions of deaths are no longer simple statistics but take forms, as Scovia, Frank, Mbabazi, Gaddafi, and countless others. Similarly, AIDS orphans are no longer numbers but humans, “child[ren] with hopes and dreams” (180) that Kaguri describes in full detail, amazed at the potential and sheer determination each child demonstrates daily. This contributes to painting the portrait of a determined society which refuses to let poverty bring its morale down.
As soon as the book starts, Kaguri describes the impoverished situation in which many Ugandans live: “It was 1989 and we had no electricity, no clean water, minimal health care, and no affordable education” (6). As Kaguri points it out, many Ugandans live in extreme poverty –less than $1.90 (USD) a day – as, “for many in Nyakakagyezi, [two or three American dollars] was more than they earned in a month” (6). In fact, according to International Monetary Funds (IMF) data, Uganda is the 24th poorest country in the world and “67 percent of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty” (Zhao). Once more, Kaguri refuses to content himself with ultimately meaningless numbers. In his book, he describes what these numbers mean by showing the state of poverty people live in. The descriptions of “mud-daub house[s]” (5) are almost exactly the same as those made in Understanding Global Cultures (Gannon and Pillai). Kaguri focuses especially on rural areas that often “get left behind [by large humanitarian organizations]” (68). He recounts an event in his life in which the lack of nearby health clinic almost caused his death (36-38) and deplores that necessities such as “clothing, soda, bags of rice, and other food [are] available only in the city” (6). He also discusses the issue of financial aid, deploring that international aid “focus[es] on short-term aid [and that donors] send food for a while or education supplies for a year” (49) rather than on the construction of a sustainable system, which greatly reminded me of Moyo’s similar criticism of international aid to Africa in Dead Aid (2009).
Kaguri also touches on the problem of women’s oppression in Uganda by slowly describing pieces of life of a girl’s life, stating that “gender roles [are] very specific [in Uganda and that women stay home, till the land, and bear children” (10, 95). Because of these gender rules, young girls are seldom educated and, instead, are responsible for a multitude of chores (112). As Gannon and Pillai mention it arranged marriage are common, which is described in multiple instances in Kaguri’s book (8, 22, 46). Kaguri even touches on the painful topic of sexual abuse, relating the story of Pleasant who was forced into prostitution at fourteen (138-139) and that of an old woman victim of domestic violence (108). He also discusses the fact that “girls [are often] being raped and women beaten on their way to obtain water” (108) and addresses the countless rapes committed by Amin’s soldiers (14-15). All of these descriptions also contribute to painting the livelihood of women in Uganda (and Sub-Saharan Africa) in a way that textbook’s numbers unfortunately cannot achieve.
Ultimately, it would be a mistake not to mention the topic of religion, which is as omnipresent in the book, as it seems to be in Kaguri’s life. As the narrator, Kaguri continuously calls out for God to guide him as he builds up Nyaka, trusting that He will find a way, since, “to [many] African[s], fate lies in the hands of a living and omnipotent God” (Gannon and Pillai, 465). Kaguri often describes his own prayers and confirms Gannon and Pillai’s explanation that religion is extremely important to Africans (465): “praying is something we do every morning and evening, and often many times in between” (82). What is admirable is that despite his strong religious upbringing Kaguri refuses to create a school that discriminate on basis of religion. Not only does he keep the school open to students of any religions, Kaguri also ensures religious diversity in his faculty; “the committee [is constituted of] a Muslim; […] a Catholic, […] an Anglican; […] a Seventh-day Adventist; and others from a variety of faith” (136). Ultimately, his goal was to make “Nyaka […] available to all members of the community, no matter their faith” (136), something which he achieved.
In essence, I believe that Kaguri’s objective was to make A School for My Village both an informative book about the AIDS and poverty crisis in Uganda (which, as I showed in this review, he achieved with flying colors) and an unconventional advertisement spot for his project. The emotional writing, in general, encourages the readers to grow attached to the project and wish to participate in its success story and, for that reason, the project’s website is promoted at the end of the book, as a “next step” for the readers. The scope of Kaguri’s book was incredible: it gave the school the platform and international attention it was missing. Since the publication of the first version of the book (The Price of Stones, 2010), the project has formed many international partnerships (including with governmental organizations, such as the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)) and grew considerably, as I explained in the introduction. The book – and the project – were so successful that a second book, Victory for My Village: Fulfilling the Promise, has been released recently, in September 2019 (and gained a place on my “To Read” list).
Still, should we regard this book as disguised advertisement? And, if so, should we consider that a negative thing? In my opinion, we should consider this book an achievement, and something to praise. It is one thing to write a book for personal fame or material gain, but Kaguri wrote A School for My Village to help bring exposure to his project and, ultimately, support impoverished and orphaned children. That is extremely selfless, and I find that I do not mind the ‘advertisement’ aspect of the book. In fact, I spent several hours on the project’s website, looking through different ways of becoming a supporter. This, I think, summarizes my opinion of the book. It was such a heartwarming and inspiring story that it brought me to action. I believe that any reader would be moved by that book and, for that reason, I would recommend reading it without hesitation.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author grew up in Nyakagyezi, a village in southwest Uganda. Through hard work, he did well in school and was able to go on to University and ultimately came to the States. After losing a brother, sister, and nephew to AIDS, he felt compelled to do something to help the crisis. Realizing that many families caring for the orphaned children couldn't afford the school fees for these kids, and recognizing the importance of education as a means out of the village poverty, he determined to build a school for the children that would be tuition-free. The book chronicles those efforts - the early struggles leading to success. Mixed in are accounts from his own childhood.
Obvious comparisons to "Three Cups of Tea". In fact, one of the reviews in the front of the book refers to this as "Africa's 'Three Cups of Tea'". The big difference that I see is the fact that, in this case, he wants to do something good for the village where he grew up instead of just some village that he stumbled upon. In this, Twesi goes back to the village a couple times a year and really follows-up with the kids and builds relationships with the kids. He also freely mentions praying about decisions and how God opens the doors for him to be able to do what he does. What he did in Nyaka (as it's often referred to) has become a model for other villages - providing not just schooling but clean water systems and health care to benefit the entire village.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The comparisons to Three Cups of Tea are inevitable. Surprisingly, although Kaguri, as a native son, is much more involved in building his AIDS orphan school than Mortensen was with Afghani schools, the book is simply dull. The stories about his childhood are interesting, and he is obviously passionate about this cause, and his faith rings true, but the dramatic narrative of Tea isn't there at all. There will be a passing reference to, for example, "and then we built a second school," with no explanation of how that happened, or what needed to happen before the building could occur. It's as if someone donated the land, and he hired some staff, and then he had a school.

Maybe better editing would have helped. I'm glad I read it to learn more about the cause, but it was an effort.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of how one Jackson Kaguri decided to return home to build a school in his village for AIDS orphans is well written and inspiring. I have a feeling that parts of the narrative have been "tweaked" a bit to make the progression more logical than perhaps real life could ever be, but, still, it shows how one person can make a difference with enough motivation and the appropriate resources and education.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twesigye Jackson Kaguri is from Uganda and saw a need in his country and worked hard to alleviate some of the suffering. There were many AIDS orphans with no hope. He and his wife changed that.

I am always amazed at the difference a person can make when they are dedicated to making it happen. There were many obstacles, but they worked hard to overcome them.

[Whitaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really great book shows us how everything is great and worth to die for

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story of how an immigrant to the US started a school in his home country for AIDS orphans.

[Nick Guilfoyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Kaguri himself, and I have sent letters back and forth with students from Nyaka. Dr. Kaguri runs a great organization, and his book is great too.

[Rachel B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical do-good read: inspiring and encouraging, informative enough, but not a dynamic, superbly crafted story.

I would have liked to hear less detail about Kaguri's experiences with fundraising and more about the people who are doing the day-to-day work, and the students' lives.

I really liked that the author included the costs of various items in the book; though early in the book he states that USD$85 is a low-end monthly wage for a teacher in Western Uganda, and that only $2 or $3 will cover a student's tuition and book fees. Later he says $85 is a competitive wage, and a students' books for the year are $45. I'd like to know which is true.

There were also some cultural differences which were not explained, so readers who are unfamiliar with Ugandan culture may be confused at points.

I also couldn't help feeling that the author's Christian beliefs were downplayed, or didn't influence many of his decisions. While it makes perfect sense to me that the school would accept students from any or no religious background, it saddened me that there were nonbelievers in leadership and that the students seemed to be getting indoctrinated with the idea that a person's religion doesn't really matter, as if they are all equally correct and good - an idea which completely contradicts Christianity.

[Dani Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible story. Though the telling of it was sometimes overdone, in terms of the author discussing his emotions at length, this is a fantastic depiction of life in rural Uganda and just what it takes to bring hope to a community. Primarily, the book is about the building of a school for AIDS orphans. The book is from 2010 and the prevalence of AIDS has receded, but in 2017 1.3 millions Ugandans were living with HIV, so this is still a major crisis (avert.org).

There were so many incredibly touching stories told, but the student who is sticking with me right now is Bruno. He is 13 and has been living on his own fow quite some time, maintaining his families small crops and house. His parents died of AIDS. At the end of the book, he says his hardest moments are when he wakes up in the middle of the night, all by himself, with no one to comfort him or turn to. I mean... can you even possibly imagine?

This is a great read and the audiobook version is read by a talented voice actor, Richard Allen. You can't go wrong either way. If you are interested in education, world health, travel, humanitarian work, human rights, children's rights, etc., you should give this book a read.

[Amanda Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book last night/this morning after holding on to it for a year lol. Jackson-Kaguri is a prime example of an individual with a rags to riches story. He grew up in rural Uganda that is mired by poverty, corruption, and the pandemic HIV/AIDS crisis. However, he never allowed his unfortunate circumstances defer him from achieving his goals. He always had a passion for education and was not going to let anyone or anything stop him from obtaining it. Readers will be inspired and moved by his story. The message that I obtained from the book is that I can achieve anything as long as I put my mind, soul, and passion into it. Another message obtained from the story is that no goal is ever too big to accomplish. It is inevitable that you will have naysayers and lack of support. I really loved the fact that he never gave up his goal of opening up a primary school for HIV/AIDS orphans.


In all, I highly recommend this story if anyone is seeking inspiration. This was a poignant, heartfelt, and inspiring story to read. I rate this book a solid 9.5/10You will be moved and inspired by Jackson's story. He has made a tremendous difference in the lives of countless students and continues to do so!

[Danny Schiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you find the exact right book for the exact right time. I opened my University of Florida edition (my alma mater) given from UF President to the entire class of 2017.

As it is now two days away from the day I was supposed to depart for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a cultural exchange program with TASIS GSP, it took me being unable to put this book down to realise how badly I needed this connection at this time.

Kaguri's commitment to the orphans of his village in Uganda, whose families have been struck by the HIV/ AIDs crisis, highlighted how building a school resulted in educating an entire community. Community development work in Africa is a touchy subject, but it is clear that Kaguri's heart and actions were both in the right place to help his community. I am inspired for sure.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaguri grew up in Uganda and graduated from a university there,, but has also studied at Columbia University and is living in the United States with an American wife. Woven into the story are accounts of his childhood and the loss of three family members to AIDS. Many children in Uganda were AIDS orphans, and Kaguri became inspired to found a tuition-free school for these parentless children. Kaguri grew up in Uganda and graduated from a university there,, but has also studied at Columbia University and is living in the United States with an American wife. Woven into the story are accounts of his childhood and the loss of three family members to AIDS.

[Susan Frazier-Kouassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a testimony to what one person can do to change lives and the world! A very inspirational story of one person's witness to tragedy, divine vision, and moral integrity! Sometimes it only takes 1 person, but, know that there will be hills and valleys to cross to make the dream a reality. The author's faith and close walk with God sustained him through the tough times and the good times.

I listened to this on audiobook and did not like the narrator's voice, but, persisted because of the story. I wish the author himself could have narrated the book.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has had for many years a connection to the church. We support his work with finances and personal connections.

The book shows why we have this connection. Kafuri takes us back to the first steps for creating a school for young African learners. He takes a unique approach, telling us about so many young learners. The details are powerful. I would have liked to have read about the big themes.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

p. 221, "Inspiration is the blood of human existence. Without it we are empty."
p. 231, "To be a friend is to deserve the trust and love of another person. To have friends is priceless beyond measure. These men reminded me to be true to my values, to deserve rather than demand things from life."
p. 262, "In Africa, we are sometimes reminded that if we want to see how bright the stars of the universe really are, then we must wait until the sky is darkest. We must go outside on a clear moonless night, when at first it seems that we can't see anything at all. That is how things first felt under the weight of the AIDS pandemic, when it seemed that everyone was dying and the future looked bleak and totally dark. But as time passes and we stare harder, gradually we begin to see more and more tiny stars glimmer through the blackness. It is on a moonless night that the stars seem brighter than ever. So it is in Africa today, these stars are the world's children, who give us hope."

[Emily Garratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the message and the story in the book. Lots of valuable lessons to be learned. I wasn’t a fan of how the book was written - sometimes it was hard to follow and too descriptive in a very basic way. Despite the writing style, the recollections of Twesigye’s mission still had me feeling a range of emotions.

[Karen Monteith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book leaves me overwhelmed with emotions. With sadness for the children who are orphaned by AIDS. Emotional about what Kaguri has done. The difference he has made in all of these children’s lives is phenomenal. Education, clean water, health, food, a chance to make a life for themselves. I absolutely know why I am volunteering with our local Grandmothers group to try to do my little part.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A good look into the real life issues those living in Africa face. Mr. Jackson's strategies for addressing the AIDS/HIV epidemic are amazing and should be replicated! Hats off to Nyaka and the work they are doing.

[Louie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative!

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening and optimistic read. A very beautiful story riddled with heart-wrenching anecdotes of sorrowful events and hopeful dreams that will bring tears to your eyes.

[Jackson Kaguri · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary story of turning tragedy into hope for others. A must read for every human being.

[Shonessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT read! Very inspiring. Highly recommend. Giving my copy to a friend who I know will devour it.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring.