Reflecting on 10 years of impact!

KFNL is now in year ten – which completely blows me away.

My original hope was to raise enough money to provide sanitary pads, soap and underwear for the girls at one school for one year. About $2500. Thanks to your generosity and compassion, together we have partnered with 7 schools in deeply impoverished areas and directly impacted well over 10,000 students, their families, and communities. Literally changing the way they see the girl-child, valuing her and opening the door of education and opportunity for her.

Because of you, KFNL has also:

• built proper latrines for girls and boys that have vastly improved public health and diminished typhoid (never saw that coming!). Latrines are pumped out regularly which greatly extends their use.
• provided a basic but transformational health and hygiene curriculum that is now taught in our schools that dispels the myths and falsehoods that were common in these villages.
• built and furnished multiple classroom buildings that literally replaced schools that looked like shaky chicken coops with dirt floors.
• built girls dormitory for girls that live too far to walk to school or have unsafe home situations or no home at all.
• built handwash stations at schools that had no way to wash hands (Health’s most basic intervention)
• fought Uganda’s number one killer, malaria, with mosquito repellent soap.
• sent over $676,000 directly to Ugandan partner schools because of your generous giving.
• seen a dramatic increase in number of girls finishing primary school and qualifying for secondary school.

Now some difficult news. I have searched five years for someone to take my place as director of Knickers, but have found no one. For a myriad of reasons, I am not able to continue this work solely with the help of my dear husband, Marty. After much thought, prayer, and counsel we have decided to close the work of Knickers for New Life at the end of 2026. Exactly a ten year window. Some work is only “for a season.” There is a sadness and a struggle in this, but also deep gratitude. There are tangible reasons to celebrate what we have done together. It is astounding!

Would you please finish strong with me? Please pray for our partner schools as they deal with this difficult news and pursue other opportunities in a challenging place. Please continue your financial support through December of this year. Every dollar will be spent on the core mission of KFNL ~ our circle of health and hygiene. I am beyond thankful for you and celebrate the blessing you are to the girl-child of Uganda.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

God bless the work of our hands,

– Watha Kollmeyer

$35 keeps 1 girl in school for 1 year