Desire for Education: Students in Uganda

March 2010

The Rakai district is home to a vibrant community of students, entrepreneurs, business men and women, farmers, artists, and many others, and St. Paul’s Kabira Adult Attention and School of Orphans has a place for all in its wide range of programs. The individuals who seek education and enlightenment through these programs hope to receive schooling so they can expand their current livelihood, change paths or simply gain insight into a number of relevant topics effecting life in Uganda.

We would like to introduce you to some of the students who are taking part in the Community Empowerment Program, funded by the Uganda Literacy and Education Program. With the help of supporters like you, these students will have the chance to learn vital skills in literacy, business, agriculture and artisanry.

The generosity of our donors has allowed us to fund the first half of the Program, but we need your support to continue the program for all of 2010. Each of the students listed below is seeking sponsorship under our “Adopt-a-Student” program, which funds their education for just $10 per month. With your help, we can help change the lives of hundreds of men and women in this vibrant rural community.

To help, please Donate online or participate in our Adopt-a-Student program.

For Nalukwago Rose pursuing an education at KAASO will provide the means to achieving her goals and plans for the future. Currently she has completed Grade 5 and works in agriculture, raising animals, and making and selling crafts. Her aspirations include expanding the building she uses to raise chickens and improving her farming methods and practises. At 47 she has five children and enjoys listening to the radio and watching netball in her spare time.

Another entrepreneur, Naddima Cate, hopes to put her innovation and work ethic to use by opening up her own farm after continuing her schooling. As of yet she has completed Grade 2 and lives in Kifuuta, where she works as a farmer, and makes and sells crafts. She is a 53 year old widow, with four children and when she has time, she enjoys watching netball on TV.

Although many students have already gained access to schooling, there are many more that have not had the opportunity to embark on their educational careers quite yet. Namwanje Clair is one such woman. A widowed mother, she has been kept busy with her four children and her work as a farmer. In her free time she enjoys weaving mats and is excited to add schoolwork to the list!

Kayondo Taddeo recognizes the alternative opportunities that education can provide. He hopes to learn about another profession so he can expand his skill base and pursue alternative opportunities in the future. He is a 33 year old married man with seven children and is currently employed in brick making and brick modelling. He has a grade two level of spoken and written English and a third grade level of education. Kayondo has future goals of being involved in animal husbandry and keeping livestock as well as continuing in his brick modelling work to provide and care for his family. He enjoys games of football in his hometown of Kabira.

The usefulness of education as a means of changing one’s profession is also recognized by Nabukenya Sylivia. She is currently employed as a farmer in Kabira, however her true passion lies in hairdressing. With this goal in mind she seeks to continue her education beyond Grade 4. She is 28 years old, and married with three children. Her interests include music, dance and drama.

For some people, the programs offered through KAASO supplement certificates already earned. This is the case for Nazziwa Flugensia. Already in possession of a certificate of hairdressing and schooling up to Grade 6, her future goal is to build a small hair salon so that she can raise money to pay for her children’s school tuition. She is 46 years old, married with eight children, and earns a living hairdressing and farming in Kabira.

Thanks to the generous donors who contributed to the Giving Challenge Nazziwa Flugensia will be able to study with the Kabira Adult Attention and School of Orphan’s Community Empowerment Program for a full year and learn the valuable skills that will help her achieve her aspirations.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit more about the students who are benefiting from the Uganda Literacy and Education Program. We realize that not everyone has the means to donate, and we would encourage our supporters to leave messages of encouragement on the “Comments” section, which will be sent over to the students and staff of KAASO.