CORNERSTONE: The Movie

In the 1980s, the HIV/AIDS pandemic ravaged Uganda. Millions of orphans were left in its wake — along with countless widows and elderly parents who were supported by those who died. Poverty, darkness, and hopelessness spread throughout the country.

CORNERSTONE is the inspiring documentary film about the journey of Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, a humble immigrant living the American dream who leaves Columbia University to return home to Uganda to care for his only brother Frank, who is dying of AIDS. Jackson discovers the disease that killed his brother and sister has overwhelmed his home village. When he realizes no one is going to help them, Jackson makes a decision, which will forever change the course of his life and the lives of the people of the Enengo Valley in Western Uganda.

The film, by award-winning director Debi Lang, touches on Twesigye Jackson Kaguri’s moving personal story, which inspired the creation of Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project, a motivated, comprehensive, community-based organization that utilizes a unique holistic approach to not only combat hunger, illness and poverty, but also to educate children, create financial independence, and empower girls and women.

Jackson’s work with Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project has earned him the respect of humanitarians worldwide including the United Nations. He received the 2015 Waislitz Global Citizen Award, was named a 2012 CNN Hero, is recognized in Time Magazine’s “Power of One” series, is a TED Talks participant and has authored four books, including “A School For My Village.”

About the speaker:
Twesigye Jackson Kaguri

Twesigye Jackson Kaguri was born and raised in Uganda in the small village of Nyakagyezi. At a very young age he demonstrated an unquenchable desire to learn, which led him to study at and graduate from Makerere University in Kampala. During this time he co-founded the human rights organization, Human Rights Concerns, to help victims of human rights violations in Uganda and to educate the public about their rights. In the 90s he became a visiting scholar at Columbia University where he studied Human Rights Advocacy. Over the years he has been involved extensively in international community efforts as a human rights advocate, fundraiser, and inspirational speaker.

In 2001, Kaguri founded the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project in response to the devastating effects of AIDS in his hometown. The organization provides free education to children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. In addition to three schools, it also operates a library, desire farm and nutrition program, medical clinic, clean water systems, and a support program for over 7,300 grandmothers who care for up to 12 children at a time. In 2012, he was named a CNN Hero and recognized internationally for his innovative work in human rights.

Since founding the project, Kaguri has also become an author. In “A School for My Village” he shares how he came to build the first school and the struggles he faced during the first few years. Kaguri has been named a Heifer International Hero, recognized in Time Magazine’s ‘Power of One’ Series, and spoken to the UN about his work. When not visiting the schools in Uganda or working at his office in Okemos, MI, Kaguri travels the country to speak with students and supporters about the organization.