Celebrating Progress: How the COB Nutrition Initiative is Transforming Lives

We are thrilled to share some exciting updates from our Nutrition Initiative at Bududa Learning Center (BLC). Check out our post introducing the initiative here if you missed it!) Thanks to your unwavering support, we are making remarkable strides in combating malnutrition and transforming the lives of vulnerable children in our community.

One key indicator of severe malnutrition is the measurement of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). This simple yet crucial tool helps us identify children at risk and determine the level of intervention needed. A MUAC measurement in the green range indicates that the child is not malnourished and is in good health, with an average arm circumference. A yellow MUAC rating suggests that the child may be at risk of malnutrition and requires close monitoring and nutritional support. Children with a red MUAC rating are identified as severely malnourished and are in urgent need of intervention to prevent further deterioration of their health.

Our dedicated BLC nurse, trained in WHO guidelines, has been diligently conducting assessments and monitoring the progress of our Children of Bududa (COB) participants. In our initial assessment back in February, we identified nine COB students with yellow or red MUAC ratings, indicating varying degrees of malnutrition. Moving forward to our recent assessment in April, we are thrilled to report significant progress. In February, we had seven children rated as yellow and two as red. However, in April, we now have only four children in the yellow category, with no red ratings. Even more inspiring is the fact that five children have graduated into the green category, signifying improved nutritional status.

The numbers speak volumes, but the impact goes beyond statistics. Consider the transformation in the lives of these children as they gain weight, their energy levels increase, and they regain their zest for life. One child who started categorized with a yellow MUAC score stayed there - however, she gained almost 3 lbs, 5% of her original weight! The debilitating effects of malnutrition No longer burden them; they now have the opportunity to thrive and pursue their dreams with renewed vigor. This is the real impact of your support.

This progress is a testament to the effectiveness of our Nutrition Initiative and the power of collective action. It is a testament to the generosity of supporters like you who believe in our mission and invest in the well-being of our community's most vulnerable members.

As we celebrate these achievements, we are reminded of the profound difference your support is making in the lives of these children. Together, we are rewriting their stories, replacing despair with hope, and paving the way for a brighter future.

Thank you for standing with us on this journey. Your continued support enables us to expand our reach, touch more lives, and create lasting change in Bududa and beyond.

Fueling Brighter Futures: COB's Nutrition Initiative

At times in the past, BLC has given weekly food distributions to COB students and their families. This has always been done in response to a community need, but we have struggled with responding this way. In the moment, it was the best solution. It was always a solution that didn't fit our long-term goals. During our recent visit, we introduced something game-changing - the COB Nutritional Assessment program. Our fantastic COB Nurse, Nakuti Medina, is leading the charge, using WHO-approved methods to check in on our kids' nutrition.

The idea is simple but powerful: find out early and respond strategically. In our first assessment on February 10th, we identified two students as acutely malnourished and seven as moderately malnourished. Armed with this knowledge, we can now respond in a way that's not just quick but also precise.

Here's the plan. These measurements will happen on an ongoing basis for all students in the program. We'll be able to watch trends and respond when a child struggles. These first children are no different. We will chat with parents and caregivers to ensure they understand their kids' nutritional needs. The magic solution here is Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), and we will distribute it based on how severe the malnutrition is.

For the next 12 weeks, our COB kids will get their RUTF packets during Saturday School. The impact is big: the acutely malnourished get two packets a day, and the moderately malnourished get one.

This initiative is a real game-changer for COB. We're stepping away from the blanket, potentially dependency-building actions and moving towards more innovative, sustainable solutions. As we kick off this nutritional journey, a big thank you to all our supporters for getting on board with this vision and helping us nurture not just bodies but futures.

2023 Annual Report

We're thrilled to share with you the heartbeat of our impact over the past year in the Bududa Learning Center's Annual Report.

This report encapsulates the milestones, stories, and collaborative efforts that have fueled our mission to break the cycle of generational poverty through education and empowerment.

Your unwavering support and belief in our cause have made all these accomplishments possible, and we invite you to delve into the transformative journey we've undertaken together. Thank you for being a vital part of the Bududa Learning Center family.

Click Here to see the full report

Donor Spotlight: Weezy Alcott

Weezy, a long-time supporter, recently traveled to BLC. While there, we asked her some questions to understand why she loves BLC and see the program through her eyes.

Q: How did you first learn about Bududa Learning Center, and what inspired you to get involved? 

A: About seven years ago, Barbara Wybar had been spending time in Beaufort, SC, where I live, and after talking with her, I became interested in helping. 

Q: Can you share a bit about your personal connection to education and empowerment and how that aligns with BLC's mission? 

A: As a child, I lived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with my father for three years. He was very involved with creating programs for the country to have continued success after the US had pulled out. I learned a great deal about the needs of the country and Africa as we were doing volunteer work. When my daughter was old enough, we went on mission trips to Ethiopia twice. The trips were productive, but we couldn't develop relationships with the programs to continue being involved directly. Having met Barbara and learned about BLC, I felt I would be able to make a small difference. I was eager to focus on one program where I saw the results of education and empowerment for individuals and communities. 

Q: BLC runs various programs. Do you have a favorite program, and if so, what about it resonates with you? 

A: They are all amazing, and I have spent time in each area. Over time, these students start assisting their families with moving from generational poverty to being able to support themselves. There are no schools in the area that provide a variety like BLC. The Children of Bududa Saturday program is my favorite. This is my 3rd trip to BLC and besides my love of children, I have seen that when they start in the COB program the statistics show they continue on with choosing a focus and their education. 

Q: In your opinion, what role does education play in addressing global challenges, and how does BLC contribute to that vision? 

A: Education is the pathway to success and fulfillment. The more you learn, the more doors will open for you. Maya Angelou 

The global challenge is how to assist countries in becoming sustainable and independent of other sources. I have heard students in the sewing or tailoring program say they have been able to make clothes for their families and sell clothing they have made. The students are able to assist not only their families but their communities. 

Q: We understand you've been supporting BLC for some time. What keeps you engaged, and what achievements or moments have you found most rewarding?

A: I would be hard-pressed to identify the moments as there are so many. The beauty of the people and the country is always a draw. Every trip I've made to BLC, I have seen the progress in the programs and the impact BLC has for students and the community. On this trip, a student I met three years ago is now employed in a tailoring shop. She stated it was so wonderful to work and assist her family. She was full of joy, showing us her accomplishment! 

Q: As a donor, what impact do you hope your contributions will have on the Bududa community in the long run? 

A: Children of Bududa creates early intervention for vulnerable children who often wouldn't have a chance for opportunities otherwise. Not only do the children attend on Saturday, but the school fee for them is included in our sponsorship program. At school during the week, they are also guaranteed lunch. I feel the education of one starting at a young age will impact the family and the community in the long run. One student said, "I was very appreciative of the many ways I was supported and would not have been able to come this far otherwise."

Q: What advice do you have for someone considering supporting BLC?

 A: All support is needed, and a little goes a long way. For me, the most rewarding has been sponsoring a child and seeing the progress with my own eyes. This mission trip is not for everyone, but the communication between staff and sponsor allows a relationship to build, and you see the impact you are making for the child. You can look at videos, send small gifts and letters with volunteers coming to Bududa, and receive letters from your sponsored child. I would suggest donating to the BLC if you aren't able to fully commit, as it is devastating to the child to be unsponsored. The breakdown of where your donation would go is listed on the website, along with many other details about the BLC

8. Can you recall a specific story or interaction that reinforced your belief in the power of vocational education to transform lives? 

A: I met Sharon on my visit three years ago. She was an outgoing and enthusiastic young woman in the tailoring program. This year, I visited the store where she is employed and saw a grown woman supporting herself and feeling successful! This story truly shows the reach and benefits of the program! 

Q: Beyond financial support, are there other ways you've been involved with BLC? 

A: Beyond financial support, I've joined Barbara Wybar, the founder, and Court Young, the North American Director, who also pours her energy and heart into the growth and success of BLC. The effort Court puts into moving the program forward with technology and global solutions to the issues BLC faces is incredible. This has been an invaluable experience as I've learned about empowering Ugandans to be self-sufficient as opposed to creating dependency. I have also gathered a lot of knowledge about running a non-profit and setting goals. 

Q: Lastly, how do you envision the future of BLC, and what role do you see donors playing in that future? 

A: My hope for BLC is that it will continue to grow and flourish. I've seen the donor base increase and hope it continues so BLC can help generations of students.

Impact Story: Nakuti Medina, COB Graduate

Madina was recruited into the Children of Bududa (COB) sponsorship program as a young teenager in 2006. At that time, she was in primary 6 at a local school in Bududa and was an orphan, living with her mother and other siblings. Life was tough for Madina, but from a young age, she took every chance she had to get ahead. When it came time for her to go to secondary school, Madina was one of the first young girls in the COB program to attend boarding school.

Upon graduation, she desperately wanted to study nursing. With her sponsor's financial support, Madina attended the Iganga School of Nursing and succeeded again. The COB program continued to support her through her education and licensing.

Madina has returned to Bududa, securing a nurse position in her home district. She is a wife, mother of three children, and a full-time nurse. Moreover, Madina is giving back to her beloved Bududa community as the school nurse for the Children of Bududa Program. Every Saturday, she sees to the health of our COB students and coordinates care for household members who need medical help.

Impact Story: Nabushuya Phiona

Given the remoteness and lack of quality education in the Bududa district, students cannot obtain competitive grades with those living in more advantaged areas of Uganda. Unfortunately, even the most dedicated students must settle for average grades, which limits their ability to further their education and attend secondary school. Despite these disparities and barriers, there is Phiona, a current student in the Children of Bududa program. Phiona has 8 siblings, lives in Bududa, and was raised by her mother. When Phiona was 10 years old, she was identified by our social worker as a student that would benefit from the holistic support of the COB program. This support includes school fees and requirements, counseling services, immediate housing needs, and supplemental nutrition for families. 

With our support, Phiona found success - she recently received the highest level marks on her nationwide exams.   

2022 Impact Report

2022 was a year of rebuilding. We were thrilled to reopen Bududa Learning Center in January after government regulations around the COVID-19 pandemic caused us, and all area schools, to close our doors for the safety of our students and staff.

While so much stayed the same during the shutdown - so much changed. While we were able to continue supporting our faculty during the shutdown - the same was not true for other community members; over 66% of people in the region report that their income is still less than when covid hit. The waitlist for our Children of Bududa program grew, and our Vocational Academy enrollment was slow to start. Luckily, with our ability to provide additional financial support to students, we returned to our pre-covid numbers by the end of the year.

In this report, you'll find more information about how 2022 went for us at Bududa Learning Center. I ask that you remember one thing as you read: The impact of providing vocational training to one student is just the beginning. Our program graduates are using the benefits of their education and skills to help their families. Not only that, but the program will continue to allow young people who otherwise wouldn't be able to support themselves to thrive and be role models in their community for generations to come.

We're so grateful to you and everyone that helped make Bududa Learning Center a solid and safe place for children and young adults to thrive.

Read the report here

-Barbara Wybar

December 2021 Letter from our Founder

Dear friends and family, wonderful donors, and supporters of our work in Bududa, Back home again, I ponder on the experience of my latest stay in Bududa and am overwhelmed by the enormous gratitude of all the faculty and staff at Bududa Learning Center as well as all the orphans we support and their families. This gratitude is due to the fact that we continued paying all salaries throughout the pandemic and provided regular food donations to the orphans and needy children. Uganda suffered one of the most severe lockdowns of any country in the world. Essentially, they had no school for two years. There were curfews and there was no transportation. Most private schools in Bududa were unable to pay salaries and so our staff were most appreciative of our Board’s decision to do this.
 
Our school is growing and achieving new heights. It is taking a little time to get the enrollment numbers up to where we were before the lockdown, but it is coming. I think now, a month and a half after we opened up on January 10th, 2022, we have the same number of students, 161, as we had before the pandemic started. It brings a smile to my face to walk to school in the early morning and see our graduate students at work on building sites or at work outside on a stoop with their sewing machines. I do believe we are making a difference.
 
The Children of Bududa Sponsorship Program also seems to be thriving. We do not see a huge number of students at the Saturday program as we have over thirty who are going to outside boarding schools and cannot come on Saturdays. The usual attendance seems to be between 35 and 40 students. Many students came to me with letters for their sponsors or letters for me to say thank-you for the help during the lockdown. There is still a legacy from this severe lockdown - people are poorer than ever and there is greater need than ever. The guesthouse where I stay seemed to have a constant stream of visitors. All needed something but mostly they needed help paying school fees. Happily, we were able to help the majority, but we still have a long list of families who would like to have a child in the program. To admit new recruits, we need to find more sponsors.
 
This time we had three volunteers and they all gave in their own way and shared their talents at  our  vocational school and with the orphans. I love to introduce Bududa and the way of life there to our volunteers. I think this is part of our mission. We go there to help the people of Bududa. To walk hand in hand with them as we attempt to provide something so desperately needed, a vocational school in their very own district. In so doing, it becomes clear to me that in some cases we are helping the volunteers as much as we are helping the locals. We as volunteers learn so much about another way of life, another set of values, another perspective on life. Mary Louise, Weezy, as we called her, said it best when she wrote about her visit. “I will look forward to going back and learning more, as we seem to always learn more than we teach and receive more than we give. “
 
There are so many stories to tell and I have already recounted many of them, but here is a story I have never told: One morning, as I was walking to school with Court Young, one of our visitors, we met an old woman on the path. As a whole, I had observed that local people looked healthy and strong. However, some older women looked extremely lean and sad. Here was one of them right in front of us. On the spur of the moment, I opened my wallet and pulled out a bill to give her something in case she would not be eating that day. Of course, she said thank-you in her language but she did more than that. She stopped and stopped me and put her hand on my head and said a prayer for me in her language. I knew it was a prayer because I heard “Jesu” and she had her eyes closed. I was touched but Court was in awe of what had suddenly happened in front of her eyes. Obviously, it meant a lot to this caring woman and I came away feeling blessed but really I was just sorry I had not pulled out a bigger bill. I looked for her every morning after that, but I never saw her again.
 
A few observations following my 19 years of visits to Bududa: the population of Bududa has grown. The change was visible and even the back valleys where there are no roads, were teaming with young people. * Many people, but not a majority, have some electricity in their homes for light bulbs. * Most people have cell phones and everybody would like to have a smart phone but few people have them. * The population is visibly young and to my eyes they are lean and strong and healthy in appearance. * There are a few older people one meets who appear lean, dejected and poor and are probably hungry and suffering.
           
Let me end with a letter I received from our guesthouse gardener.

Dear Barbara,
Thank you for everything you have done to make life more pleasant in my family. We also appreciate your help during Covid 19 Lockdown.   We got food, soap, money and others; thanks for helping us in that way.
I wish you a blessed 2023 and hope that you will be well and happy.
Sincerely, Wamakiya Robert, Gardener.

( Since Robert is an employee of Bududa Learning Center he was paid throughout the lockdown, and his son is in the Children of Bududa Sponsorship Program so he received food weekly.)

With Great Appreciation & A Smile on my Face,

Barbara Wybar aka Bubby

September 2022 Letter from our founder

It has been too long since I communicated. The last time I sent out a message to all of you, it was to say that the people of Bududa were suffering with high inflation. We all know inflation is currently a worldwide problem and it is not hard to understand that the effects of high inflation affect the poor and very poor populations drastically. The prices of everything have gone up and the food prices, in particular, are causing people to suffer severely because they cannot afford to purchase food. When I shared that message with you all in June, a wonderful couple in Ontario offered $5,000 as a matching gift if we could match that sum in three months. It took approximately 48 hours to match the $5,000 and more support came in after that. The money has been sent to Bududa and BLC have been distributing food every two weeks to all the families in our orphans’ program. We have enough funds to be able to do this until mid-October.
    It goes without saying that all the recipients are more than grateful, and it is making a huge difference in their lives. In addition, our North American Board decided to extend our food distribution to the 35 people who work for us at Bududa Learning Center. I think this is appropriate because I know that most of our staff are lowly paid; staff salaries are something we will be reviewing for 2023. In the interim, we are helping with free food for all staff for the next three months, which will cost $2,280.
     Below is an example of an email I received from our computer teacher, but he is just one of many saying thank-you. I am including it as it is addressed to the team. The team is all of you who contribute. We are making a difference in these lives and I cannot do it without you.
 
Dear Barbara and the Team,
Thank you so much for your generous food supply support that was granted to us last week, this food supply came at this time of trial as everything in Uganda raised the price most especially food, fuel, and among others. I and my family are very grateful and very happy for food given to us.
Your support is not underestimated because that is where I get everything in life and I depend on 100% so your support is greatly appreciated and may good Lord bless who ever is giving a hand in raising funds to Bududa Learning Center, I shouldn’t forget to say thank you for the continuing salary paid in time. I count my self-lucky for this opportunity given to work with BLC.
On special note again THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT and please don’t get tired.
God Bless Your Heart.
Isaac Namisi
Computer Teacher
BVA, BLC  
 
     We’ve continued to hear more news about suffering in Uganda. Times are tough, with prices remaining so high that people cannot afford to buy food and other essentials. The news I am getting from Uganda is:

• The economy is unstable.

• Everything is expensive.

• Students are not reporting back to their private schools as they have no money.  

• Local children, reporting to government schools, have to pay.

• Minister of Finance in Uganda is saying that “the country is bankrupt”, but there are reports that Uganda still runs an International Airline at a loss.

     Our local news is that Bududa Vocational Academy is running as usual. The enrollment seems to be stable. The faculty have all reported.
     Some of BVA’s issues and expenses going forward include: 

1. To buy new computers for the school as our old ones are breaking down. (Mostly they have come from generous donations from North American individuals or schools or companies who are upgrading.) The approximate cost for 12 new ones in Uganda is $8,802 USD.

2. Acquire new batteries for our solar power as the existing ones are needing replacement. The approximate cost for 12 batteries is $7,545.

3. Review all salaries paid at Bududa Learning Center before 2023, and develop a plan to upgrade salaries to a national average (if there is such a thing).

     Our orphans program seems to also be running as usual. We have a new teacher, Nafuna Rebecca, and she is reported to be young and dynamic and comes with excellent references from the local district.
     A story I heard about one of our orphans who has made good touched my heart.
     Mutika Ester was an orphan in our program in 2007 when I had moved to Uganda as a full time resident. She was at a private school, paid for by her sponsor. When she graduated she wanted to go to nursing school. Her sponsor kindly offered to pay and she graduated from nursing school and got a job at a clinic in a nearby village to Bududa. She was happy to have a job and they loved her but she was terribly paid.
     Recently, the chairman of our local board in Uganda, Father Paul Buyela, who runs his own school in an adjacent district, was looking for a nurse to work for him at his institution. Ester was referred and now, she has a good job with Father Paul and he is happy and so is she.
 
     I will be returning to Uganda on October 11th and plan to stay for a month. There are a number of others who will be coming at the same time. One from Britain, one from Philly and a few from NC and maybe SC. We will report on our stay from Bududa.
     I want to take this opportunity to introduce a friend of mine, Court Young, from Charlotte, NC. It is our hope that, in the near future, Court will join our North America team, the North American Board and me, providing operational assistance running the Bududa Learning Center. Court is a young, bright, dynamic lawyer by training, she previously served as the Outreach Director for Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, a BLC partner, and currently works as a consultant for a non-profit that provides global emergency relief assistance grants. Court will be joining me in Bududa this fall, which will be her 6th trip to Bududa and we look forward to communicating with you during that time.
     So, this is the news, and by no means all of it, but some of it. Sorry for the delay. Summer got in the way.
     Help us if you can and we will see that almost 100% of your donation goes to Bududa. There are very few expenses in North America. If you are inclined, go to our website, Bududa.org,  and press donate. The people of Bududa, particularly those associated with Bududa Learning Center will be so grateful.
     With much love, and a smile on my face,
          Barbara

April 2023 - Letter from our Founder

I returned to the USA on March 9th and immediately fell sick with a nasty infection much like Covid and thus am delayed in sending you this update. It should have been a chance to get lots of work done but that did not happen.

As usual, I loved my time in Bududa. I love the people I work with and many of them have been friends for sixteen years. The school is thriving! I heard that yesterday we had 187 students in attendance. That is 27 more student than we have ever had. Our goal was 200 students enrolled by the end of the year, it looks like we may reach that goal by end of the term.

While I was there, the school was inspected by the Ministry of Education in Uganda. The inspectors conducted a site visit and gave us high marks, which enables the center to remain an accredited examination center. The inspectors were impressed by our facilities and skilled staff. One of them admitted to being “wowed” by all of our functioning computers. I do not think he had seen another school with such facilities.

We have a new principal, Paul Wasolo, and that seems to be going well. One staff member said he was “approachable and a leader.” What I think is important is that he is a Bagisu, the same tribe as everyone in the village and speaks their language.

Our big news is that for the first time ever we have hired a professional grant writer, Rachel Tanner. We think she is terrific! She will work half time for us focusing on identifying and applying for grants. We secured funding for her position from an outside body so that BLC's operational budget will not be impacted.

Once we had hired Rachel, she requested that we get letters of approval from two graduates in each department. Until I read these letters, I really did not realize what an incredible impact we are having in the community. Some of them are truly heart-warming, filled with gratitude for BVA. The one I remember best was from a tailoring graduate a few years back - she now has her own tailoring shop, many customers and is employing other women in the community. She was so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend a vocational school locally and is now able to not only support her own family financially, but also pay the school fees for her siblings.

Knowing that we have a grant writer, we realized that our current website needed work and so we found a young man, Simon Rogers, CEO of A Little Better Company, to help us with our website and we think he’s outstanding. Stay tuned as we hope to launch a new website in the coming month.

The most exciting news is that our greatest supporter, Court Young, who does more than anyone to further our program in Bududa paid us the honor of bringing her family to Bududa for a week and they were action packed days indeed. They fell in love with Bududa, the students and staff of BLC, and of course, everybody at our school loved having them, and showed their joy in so many ways.

There are so many stories to tell but I must end now and tell more next time!

February in Bududa

Greetings from Bududa! Sheila Havard, Children of Bududa's International Coordinator, and I have been back in Bududa for several weeks. Bududa is experiencing an extended dry season, the resulting hardship of which is compounded by the impact of inflation on the local economy; access to and the cost of food has continued to skyrocket. Nevertheless, the Bududa Learning Center (BLC) remains a beacon of hope. Sheila has been busy traversing the mountainside of Bududa visiting the 70 students in the Children of Bududa (COB) program assessing the hygiene and health of each household. It continues to be astounding how rural Ugandans live and manage to get by on so little. With every home visit, a report is prepared for the child's sponsor, this work is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. 

Meet Nasbushuyu Phiona (pictured above), a star pupil in the COB program. Phiona has been boarding at a local secondary school and received outstanding marks on her O-level exams. It is difficult to describe the magnitude of this achievement given the poor quality of education and lack of resources in most rural primary and secondary schools. She attributes her success to the timely payment of school fees by her sponsor, a learning environment where she can concentrate on her work, the provision of good lighting to study, and regular meals. COB is looking forward to supporting Phiona's next step in her educational journey.

Our visit to COB student Kuloba Emmanuel who attends a local primary school, revealed that the family has fallen on hard times since the mudslide in September 2021 swept away almost all of their land. What remains is a wide area gouged out of the mountainside, pitted deeply in places and covered with enormous rocks. Thankfully, the mud that swept down the hillside spared the family’s house and the newly built latrine, but the banana trees planted on the landslide site in April 2022 have barely grown due to the lack of topsoil and manure. 

The Bududa Vocational Academy (BVA) continues to thrive with a line of students outside the Head of School's office waiting to register for vocational classes as the new academic year begins. Meanwhile faculty and administrators deliver best-in-class instruction, attend to a myriad of student needs and curriculum requirements. Each day we are confronted with students that want to attend the vocational academy but are unable to afford the modest school fees. As such, we have included within this year's annual budget funds for additional tuition assistance.    

We remain thankful for the generosity of our sponsors and donors.