Step by step, he's making a difference

For scholarship recipient Peter Agaba, MA’20, a lifelong passion for learning led him to Brandeis. Now he’s giving back to his home village in Uganda by supporting the next generation of students.

By Douglas Moser

The journey began every morning before sunrise. Peter Agaba, MA’20 was 9 years old when he enrolled at an elementary school outside his small village of Bwoga, in western Uganda.

It was a life-changing opportunity. The new school had more resources and better facilities than Bwoga Elementary. Most importantly, it went all the way up to seventh grade — which would later enable Agaba to attend high school.

But the school was also far from home. Agaba walked three hours each way, the punishing trek along winding dirt roads leaving him exhausted.

“This was the most difficult part of my education,” said Agaba, who now works as a data analyst for sustainable packaging manufacturer Better Earth. “Walking all these miles every day wore me out.”

Peter Agaba, MA’20 with students in Bwoga, Uganda.
Peter Agaba, MA’20 with students in Bwoga, Uganda.

Agaba’s academic journey culminated when he graduated from Brandeis International Business School with a master’s degree in International Economics and Finance.

Scholarships at Brandeis and during his undergraduate study unlocked once unimaginable possibilities for Agaba. He’ll also never forget the day he first stepped inside a well-stocked library back home in Uganda, which sparked a lifelong love of learning.

For these reasons, even halfway across the globe, Agaba hasn’t forgotten where he came from. And in true Brandeisian spirit, he remains committed to improving the world by helping the next generation of Ugandan students now walking a similar path.

“I want to make an impact on somebody,” said Agaba. “I can see where I’m going — it’s a bright future. Education has done that for me. That’s why I want to give back.”

Inspiration inside the library

By sheer determination, intelligence and spirit, Agaba finished elementary school and earned a coveted scholarship at one of the top boarding high schools in Uganda.

The experience changed him forever.

“Peter’s generosity and dedication to the children in his village is an inspiration.”
Prof. Gene Miller

Agaba remembers how his mind blew wide open inside the school’s library. He read voraciously and used the internet to keep in touch with his older sister, then a college athlete in the United States.

“The first time I saw a library like that — with computers and internet and everything — I was like, wow,” said Agaba. “My sister was at Western Kentucky University (WKU), and I could communicate with her and I could see pictures of her running track for the university. You see that and you want to get to that place. Because I had that exposure, it led me to think that maybe I can Google schools in the U.S.”

In 2013 Agaba followed in his sister’s footsteps, securing an athletic scholarship at WKU and studying mathematics and economics. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees before enrolling at the International Business School in 2019.

Since arriving in the U.S., Agaba and his sister had always found ways to give back to Bwoga. They collected and donated clothes by the bagful, and even raised extra money to send home by cooking and delivering food in their free time. During summer breaks, Agaba also returned to Bwoga Elementary to teach math lessons.

“They want to know how I got to the U.S., how life is in the U.S.,” said Agaba of the young students. “They see you on another level, like you’re coming from a different world. Some of them, it just moves them. It inspires them to do more work.”

‘It’s up to you to make it better’

At Brandeis, Agaba learned how to take his charitable efforts to the next level.

Through International Business School Prof. Gene Miller’s Leadership Internships in Social Impact Organizations course, Agaba began serving as a non-voting board member with the international relief organization HOPE worldwide.

In addition to gaining valuable work experience, Agaba used his network at HOPE worldwide to launch a fundraiser that is close to his heart.

“I can see where I’m going — it’s a bright future. Education has done that for me. That’s why I want to give back.”
Peter Agaba, MA’20

With the Bwoga Elementary Library (BEL) Project, Agaba and his partners are raising money to fund the construction of a library at his old school. The project also seeks to pay for books, computer equipment and staff “to change the lives of children in Bwoga by providing them with educational materials necessary to acquire fundamental economic and life skills,” according to the BEL Project website.

To date, the BEL Project has raised more than $7,000. The project broke ground in late 2021 and efforts to raise additional money are ongoing.

“Having a library with a computer lab will give the kids exposure to the outside world,” said Agaba, who serves as the founder and director of the BEL Project. “It will give them new ideas — something to work for.”

In recent years Agaba has returned to Bwoga Elementary to teach math lessons.

A community outreach meeting in Bwoga facilitated by the BEL Project.

Agaba is not the only member of the Brandeis community supporting the effort. Miller, his former professor, is serving as an advisor to the project, while former classmate Hannah Brown ’19, MA’20 is contributing as an analyst and grant researcher.

“Peter’s generosity and dedication to the children in his village is an inspiration,” said Miller. “The BEL Project is a glowing example of how Brandeis alumni leverage their knowledge, skills and professional connections to benefit the greater good.”

The BEL Project broke ground on a new library in late 2021.
The BEL Project broke ground on a new library in late 2021.

For Agaba, it’s all part of a journey that started early each morning on the roads of Bwoga and eventually made its way to Brandeis.

“One thing I’ve learned about the world,” said Agaba, “if it’s not a good one, it’s up to you to make it better. I am so grateful to Brandeis for helping me make a positive impact.”

Donors make it all possible! We are proud to recognize all donors and volunteers who helped advance Brandeis International Business School's mission in the past fiscal year. Learn how alumni and friends like you are helping our students. View the full Donor Impact Report.