Impact Story: Wandukwa Emmanuel

Wandukwa Emmanuel (“Emma”) grew up in the Bududa community and has recently achieved some of the highest marks in the country on his examination for Bricklaying and Concrete Practice. Below is an excerpt from our interview with Emma as we congratulate him on his great success!

Barbara Wybar: Emma, Congratulations! I'm wondering if you might tell me a little bit about yourself.

Emma: I attended Bududa Secondary School from the year 2016 - 2022. I completed my A level exams, but did get good results and I lost hope, but I heard that Bududa Learning Center was offering sponsorship programs for students and I applied.

BW: And are you enjoying the brick laying courses?

Emma: This is the best education, the best skill that I have attained…this institution has given me hope to even aim higher in this course that I'm doing. My dream is to become a civil engineer.

BW: Which teacher [at BVA] do you think had the biggest impact on you?
Emma:  I would say all, but right now let me say, teacher Moses, he has been a very good teacher to me. He advised me on what to do and where to do it at the right time. He has given me more than I expected. That's how I moved on.

BW: Did BVA or any of your teachers teach you the value of success?

Emma: Yes. They did, most of the time in our lessons, we not only write things in the books but we also have a time to talk about success and how to be successful in life.

BW: If you were asked by somebody on the street to describe the Bududa Vocational Academy, how would you describe it?

Emma: I can describe it like this. It is a school, the only school in Bududa that offers skills for jobs, it's not like the other institutions outside. It's fair and everything that is in the school is capable of bringing out somebody who is responsible and has the potential to work outside in the community. 

BW: Excellent, I am sure you're going to succeed!

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: Namono Nazara, Current BVA Student

Nazara is a young woman whom we have seen thrive since she has been studying tailoring at Bududa Vocational Academy ( BVA). Nazara is our student, and she is also our neighbor.

When we met, Nazara rarely smiled and seemed sad, with little self-confidence. She was a little girl with two parents and an older sister. It was clear to our staff that this family, specifically the children, were vulnerable and in need of our program.

Nazara's older sister was a good student, but Nazara had trouble with academics. We suggested that she come to BVA, and she liked the idea and wished to take tailoring.

It is a good fit. Nazara is in her second year now, and we're thrilled to report that she is coming into her own. She is a success, and she knows it. She makes her own dresses and clothing for her family.

Nazara is developing self-confidence as well as technical skills, and we are overjoyed that her future looks as bright as her smile.

Impact Story: Nicholas Olowo

In 2017, Nicholas graduated from the Bududa Vocational Academy’s Nursery Teacher Training (NTT) program. Today, Nicholas is a primary school teacher at Prime Primary School in Bududa. Below is a letter he wrote in support of BVA:

“I was a student at the Bududa Vocational Academy, which is part of the Bududa Learning Center, in the Nursery Teacher Training (NTT) program. I graduated from BVA in 2017 with a certificate in NTT. I am writing to express my gratitude and support for the Bududa Learning Center and the Bududa Vocational Academy.

It is with special thanks to the Bududa Vocational Academy that I am happy and glad to write this letter of support. The BVA provided me with important help and offered financial assistance to me to attend BVA since I was a poor Ugandan boy from a very poor family which could not support me during my academic time. I learned how to be a teacher from my education at BVA and have used these skills to secure employment. Now I can educate other young children. Additionally, with my skills, I can provide financial support to my brothers and sisters from my wages.”

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

Letter of Support: Oliver Nanyama

Re: To Whom It May Concern:

I am Nanyama Oliver a former student from Bududa Vocational Academy in the tailoring department.

I come from a poor background. I could hardly raise my tuition for my tailoring course. Because of Barbara through Bududa Learning Centre who paid my tuition gave scholarship and I was able to do a National Certificate in Tailoring.

I am self employed, I have a tailoring workshop, I have employed two tailors.

I am very grateful to Bududa Learning Centre that enabled me to do the course.

I can no afford to pay fees for my three children and for my young brothers.

My family and community has changed because of assistance of BLC.

I pray that it is there forever and more funding so that many more people from this poor community be helped.

Thanks,

Yours sincerely,

Nanyama Oliver

Letter of Support: Peter Kitongo

Dear Madam,

Re: To Whom It May Conern,

I am Kitongo Peter a former student of Bududa Vocational Academy in Building Construction department and did a National Certificate in Building Construction and passed.

I did come from a poor family with many children (nine in number - two girls and seven boys) which could not support me beyond senior four. But because of Barbara and Bududa Learning Centre, I got a government sponsorship and went for my diploma in Civil Engineering in Mbarara which I finished last year.

This year, I got a good job with one of the construction companies in Kampala and I am earning food money and I now support my family members including paying school fees for my sisters and brothers.

I pray for Bududa Learning Center to get more funding so that it can continue supporting the needy forever.

Thanks,

Yours sincerely,

Kitongo Peter