I started life as an Orphan and human scarecrow in Uganda. I earned 2 degrees at UC Berkeley and now run 3 companies including a non-profit, and was named 2014 forbes30under30 AMA!

Hi Chris, thanks for doing this AMA. Do you have any tips for students to stay focus and keep motivated? What was your study schedule like? Thank you!

The short answer is Passion! If you don't know your passion; dig deep within---its in there. Because with passion comes determination and hard work and the desire to get to the top. (Lots of "NO or miniman Sleep" days :) Not good for your health tho)

Have you seen your uncle or any family since?

Yes (once in a while); and yes you guessed it right... He loves to take credit for all that I have done because he raised me right lol

Why do you even talk to your uncle anymore? Someone who treaded you terribly like that shouldn't deserve even a second of your time, no?

I do not want anyone in my past to live rent free in my head (thats what happens when you hold a grudge). I would like to save those gigabytes of space for something important. Regardless of what happens to you in life, in the end--Love wins!

You sound like a happy person. What a wonderful way to think!

I am happy. Sad only brings you down :)

How much did your life change after running away? What changed most about it? Could you describe what you do with your 3 companies? What's the scariest shit you've seen?

You are really inspiring. Thank you.

I am the luckiest guy alive...I am leaving the dream Three meals a day...(Thats luxury by the way) I have enough to never have to worry

companies 1. CA Bikes-Non-profit (we build bike ambulances-cabikes.org) 2. Biotech we build DIY instant diagnostic devices-you get results on your cellphone 3. HY (Software) a web platform for medical devices

one of the scariest moments

Thanks for the question. Scariest moment has to be... Near death escape experience...Chimp battle I was about 8 or 9yrs during a heavy storm;running home from the field and came across a baby chimp that appeared to be miserable, lost, and abandoned. I grabbed it and put it on my back attempting to take it to a secure place. Before I knew it a massive beast appeared from the thick bushes that stretched beyond the village...which turned out to be the mom Chimp and ripped me into pieces. The part of that whole ordeal that saved me was the idea that half of "mom Chimp effort" was going into protecting the baby. Otherwise you and I will never know how that would have turned out. I still have enough scars for memories

Did you scare away birds well?

birds, chimps, baboon, monkeys and anythin' in between

Please confirm whether birdmonkeys were the worst?

monkeys are sneaky. Birds can just run with just one stone throw

How do you feel about the way Americans live their lives?

Different culture = different context I found things like spending billions of $$ on pets very interesting while there is homelessness everywhere as well as millions of kids in foster care that need a home. Its just different

Would you ever consider becoming a foster parent? As a social worker for foster care kids I can personally attest to how badly good foster parents are needed!

Definitely! I am waiting to be able to afford it. In the meantime; I am helping kids through motivational talks to remind them of their potential. And tell them to never ever give up

GO BEARS!!!

Ditto!

GO Bears! Just graduated with a B.A. in Public Health from Cal this past summer... feel free to contact me with job opportunities... haha :)

Aside from that, congratulations on everything you've achieved. You are a model for success that I can only hope to emulate in the best way that I can

admin@cabikes.org lets talk

How much does it cost to build the bicycles?

$100

$100 dollars for a single bicycle? I may have to fund one myself. Where can I do this? And how many people can a single bicycle impact? Is one enough to help an entire village?

cabikes.org click the donate button

this is awesome, congrats on positively changing the world.

Thanks

What kind of hobbies do you have?

I am a pilot...love flyn' I run marathons I love Music/dancing good for the soul

Do you ever visit Adams? You're such an inspiration to others!

Thanks for the kind note! Yes, I see her atleast once a year her program has supported over 1000 people like me DR's Lawyers Nurses teachers....etc

What do you consider your biggest failure?

When my parents past I was responsible for my four younger siblings. I lost a brother in my care...I felt like I failed him

How did it feel when you left your uncle's field? How did it feel when you got your degree? What was your scariest moment on the field?

Graduation = surreal > Scariest moment has to be... Near death escape experience...Chimp battle I was about 8 or 9yrs during a heavy storm;running home from the field and came across a baby chimp that appeared to be miserable, lost, and abandoned. I grabbed it and put it on my back attempting to take it to a secure place. Before I knew it a massive beast appeared from the thick bushes that stretched beyond the village...which turned out to be the mom Chimp and ripped me into pieces. The part of that whole ordeal that saved me was the idea that half of "mom Chimp effort" was going into protecting the baby. Otherwise you and I will never know how that would have turned out. I still have enough scars for memories

Jesus Christ, you are a certified badass

thank you!

Thank you!

No questions, just wanted to say amazing work. Best wishes to you and your family.

Thanks

Who paid for your university education?

An amazing family in Oakland CA

Thank them on behalf of the world for unleashing you as a force for good.

I tell them "every day"

What was the most advanced technology back in Uganda that you dealt with on the daily basis?

Thanks!

I didn't know what technology means You are only worried about what to eat today and thats about it

Are you sponsoring or planning on bringing any kids from Uganda to the states to study?

I sponsor a lot of kids in Uganda because the cost of leaving is cheaper Also you have to be pretty stable (financially) to afford sponsoring a kid in the states

Thank you for doing an AMA you sir are an inspiration !! My one question to you is, how do I get involved with helping in Uganda? Anything you can recommend? Thank you!

http://cabikes.org/ You can donated through the link you can physically get there and i can help you--link you to places to work or simply spread the word

Thank you so much for responding, and I am speaking of physically helping, hands on work.

Come by! I will get u some work or atleast direct you cabikes.org

Being a person who has had such a different and difficult experience early on in life and has now become so successful, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time and what are your interests?

I am a pilot...love flyn' I run marathons I love Music/dancing good for the soul

What do you think of the Anti-Gay-law in Uganda?

Just like there is Lobyists in DC for different policies; there is alot of religious Organizations who have dedicated lots of time and lots of money to make sure that law makers in Uganda pass the law

Hey, I am in my freshman year in college and am interested in becoming an entrepreneur. I have a few ideas of my own and I was wondering how you were able to turn your ideas into a working business. It seems like a big step. Thanks!

Just do it. There is no magic. Go for it

Hello, and thank you for doing this AMA! my question is how did you first come in contact with YES Uganda? Thanks again and I'm sorry for what happened to you early in life.

Through a family friend who lived near this orphanage. He came in the village looking for me

First I'd like to say your story is inspiring thanks for doing this AMA

Do you think Uganda/other parts of Africa will be as fortunate as the rest of the world in 20-30 years? What do you think it would take from developed nations like the US to help Africa build their economy/education system/political system in general?

Thanks for the kind note. Capacity building is whats lucking There is simply not enough philanthropic capital or foreign aid to solve Africa's problems on the scale they exist in the foreseeable future. To defeat Africa's challenges we must harness truly sustainable and scalable models by creating jobs for Africans and give them the tools to solve there own problems. This bottom-up capacity building approach promises lots of optimism and enormous potential for the future of Africa.

100 duck sized horses or one horse sized duck?

One horse sized duck; you can dodge it run around it

Can I have a job??

http://cabikes.org/job-openings/

Hi Chris! Thanks for doing this AMA

1) Do you still visit Uganda?

2) Do you still have family there?

3) Any plans on migrating back to Uganda?

1. Yes
2. Yes 4 siblings
3. I am half the time there and half here

Follow-up questions if you don't mind ^{^}

Are you interested in getting into politics to improve your country? (not sure if you are interested in answering political questions though).

U got it!

Is that a yes or no? :P

No Politics for me

What type of hats do you like to wear?

fedora

Thanks for doing this AMA mr.Ategeka. Out of curiosity, do you happen to have any tips for a high school student that aspires to attend UC Berkeley, or just schools of that caliber in general?

Good grades and community service hours will get you in :)

Favorite color?

blue

Hey Chris, great to see other Berkeley Alums doing great things! What do you think is the best way to help impoverished countries around the world? Direct Aid? Investment? Trendy "buy one give one free" shoes (my least favorite)?

There is simply not enough philanthropic capital or foreign aid to solve Africa's problems on the scale they exist in the foreseeable future. To defeat Africa's challenges we must harness truly sustainable and scalable models by creating jobs for Africans and give them the tools to solve there own problems. This bottom-up capacity building approach promises lots of optimism and enormous potential for the future of Africa.

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Lots of studying at a community college here in CA and no sleep

Has anyone ever contacted you on writing a book/movie based on your life?

Waiting for it...

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Doing fine They are happy that I am here and able to provide for them

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u r right. shipping ends up being three time more than the item sent. Any dollar amount can go a long way. http://cabikes.org/

Hello, do you believe in the American Dream? If so, what is it to you?

There opportunity...thats whats lacking in the places like the one where i come from

What are your degrees in? And what education did you receive in america? Did you goto highschool?

BS MS and Now PhD candidate all in Mechanical Engineering

What other charitable organizations have you seen doing a lot of good work in Uganda?

You said you sponsor children there now. Who do you do that through?

YES Uganda (Carol Adams)

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In every negative thing that happens in life there is always a positive! Just look for the positive. If nothing else--its a learning experience

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They were sponsors to YES Uganda nothing special--they sent $25 a month thats what got me thru

Where did you go after you ran away?

A friends house about 40km away

What music are you listening to? Any recommendations? Where do you see technology going in the next 5-10 years? Thanks and stay awesome!

Technology (5-10 yrs from now) = more robots less human interactions

Music: http://24hoursofhappy.com/

You were at FSM during dead week last semester and you commented on the marijuana-related stickers on my laptop and asked to use the outlet near me.... Who would have known!

Small world :)

Have you written a memoir or plan on writing one?

Someday... May be someday a publishing company will come by and help in this effort

Where do you think you would be today without the support from YES Uganda?

An average Uganda; working hard to make ends meet but also In jail dead are possible scenerios

Who has been the most inspirational person in your life? Also, we need more people like you in this world.

My grand mother who has been deaf mute all her life! But never let her disability get in her way