Invisible Children Uganda is in mourning as we remember Olanya Columbas, a member of the Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) who passed away this week due to health complications. Five members of the Invisible Children Uganda staff attended his burial, reflecting on the great contributions that Olanya made to LSP and to his greater community despite the challenges he has faced along the way.

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Olanya Columbus (pictured in stripes) poses with his donor (far left) and caretakers at Entebbe International Airport before traveling to India for his kidney transplant.

On November 11, 2012, Olanya, his kidney donor, Vincent, and his caretakers traveled to India where Olanya received a kidney transplant. Having been diagnosed with a complicated renal problem, the transplant was his last hope. In addition to his scholarship, Invisible Children supported Olanya along the way in receiving his transplant.

Columbus joined the Legacy Scholarship Program in 2005 as a student at Keyo Secondary School. He completed his “O Level” and “A Level” studies as part of the program before continuing on as a student at Gulu University in 2010. After a brief break from school to recover from his surgery, Olanya resumed his studies at Nkumba University, where he was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Logistics Management.

As Invisible Children Uganda works together to honor Olanya’s memory, the entire staff, especially the education team, appreciates the support that has been extended to Olanya over the years as well as to the ICU family in this difficult time while we remember him and honor is memory.

If you would like to show your support, donate to the Legacy Scholarship Program to help us continue to invest in students in northern Uganda.