Collines Angwech grew up in Amolatar, Uganda, during the LRA War, spending nights hiding from abduction instead of sleeping safely at home. After losing her father, she helped her teen mother raise her siblings—all while fighting for an education in a place where few girls made it past primary school.

Against all odds, Collines earned a university degree, joining less than 1% of women in her community to achieve this milestone. But she knew her success couldn’t stop with her—it had to open doors for others.

That vision led her to meet Jayme Ward, a passionate student activist from Colorado. Though born worlds apart, they shared a simple belief: where you’re born should never determine your future. Together, they co-founded Far Away Friends in 2014—because even across continents, friendship can fuel change.

But this movement is bigger than just two people. Far Away Friends is a community first. From donors to volunteers to families in Amolatar, it is people, not institutions, who built Global Leaders and it’s supporting programs.

Through grassroots support, we created a campus where students can thrive, a meal program that keeps them nourished, and a space where education isn’t a privilege—it’s a right.

Today, Collines leads FAF’s programs full-time as Country Director in Uganda, ensuring that more students in her community have the same opportunity to learn, grow, and dream big. Jayme continues to advocate for global education and sustainable development through her work at Engineers Without Borders-USA and as Board Chair of Far Away Friends.

With your support, we will keep building, keep growing, and keep proving that when a group of friends work together, anything is possible.

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