Celebrating 200 Students

Our organization has pursued a goal for years: to reach a milestone of serving 200 students in a single term. This goal holds immense importance to us as it symbolizes our dedication to expanding educational opportunities and profoundly impacting the lives of individuals within our community. However, our journey toward this milestone faced an unexpected roadblock when the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to close our doors temporarily.

As the pandemic unfolded, our community experienced economic challenges, resulting in a slow return of student enrollment. 67% of our community faced a decrease or total loss of income during this challenging period. Despite the hardships, we are overjoyed to announce that we have finally accomplished our long-standing goal.

Initially slated for achievement by the year's end, we have surpassed our expectations today. We hold a profound responsibility to our students to provide the highest quality education possible. The quality of education they receive is always at the forefront of our minds.

This achievement is a testament to the perseverance and resilience of our board of directors, our dedicated Ugandan staff, and, most importantly, the students themselves. It celebrates their thirst for knowledge, commitment to personal growth, and unwavering determination to succeed.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have participated in this journey, including our supporters, community partners, and volunteers. Without your unwavering support, this milestone would not have been possible. Together, we have created a nurturing environment that fosters educational excellence and empowers students to unlock their full potential.

We look forward to the future with renewed determination as we celebrate this remarkable milestone. We remain committed to expanding our impact, creating even more educational opportunities, and ensuring every student receives the support they need to thrive.

This achievement is not the end but rather the beginning of a new chapter in our journey. We are inspired by what we have accomplished, and it only strengthens our resolve to continue making a positive difference in the lives of our students and community.

Once again, we express our profound appreciation to everyone who has played a role in this achievement. Together, let us embark on the next phase of our mission, knowing that by providing quality education, we are shaping a brighter future for all.

The Importance of Our Ugandan Advisory Board

At Bududa Learning Center (BLC), we believe in the power of empowering communities from within. One key factor that sets us apart is our commitment to local control of the program and the invaluable role played by the Ugandan Advisory Board. Today we will explore the significance of local authority, the functions of the Advisory Board, and how their involvement ensures the success and sustainability of our programs.

Empowering Ownership: By placing local control at the heart of our organization, BLC strives to empower the Bududa community to take charge of their development. We firmly believe that sustainable change comes from within, and fostering local ownership allows us to address the unique needs and challenges faced by the community. It enables us to tailor our programs to the cultural, social, and economic context of Bududa, ensuring relevance and long-term impact.

Ugandan Advisory Board: The Ugandan Advisory Board, composed of local leaders and parents of former students, plays a pivotal role in guiding BLC's direction and decision-making processes. This diverse group brings their deep understanding of the community's needs, perspectives, and aspirations to the table. Their invaluable insights and expertise help shape the organization's strategic vision, ensuring that our programs remain responsive and effective.

Local Context and Cultural Relevance: The Advisory Board's involvement ensures our programs are rooted in the local context and culture. They help us navigate cultural sensitivities, customs, and norms, which are essential in creating an inclusive learning environment. By understanding and respecting the community's values and traditions, BLC can foster trust, engagement, and a sense of belonging among the students and their families.

Collaborative Decision-making: The Advisory Board actively participates in collective decision-making processes, offering a platform for community voices to be heard. They provide guidance on curriculum development, program expansion, and resource allocation, ensuring that the organization's initiatives align with the community's priorities. This participatory approach strengthens community engagement and promotes accountability and transparency.

Sustainable Growth and Community Support: The involvement of the Advisory Board enhances the sustainability of BLC's programs. As community representatives, they mobilize local support, promote awareness, and facilitate community partnerships. This collaborative effort ensures that the community is invested in the success of BLC, creating a solid foundation for sustainable growth and impact.

The emphasis on local control and the active engagement of the Ugandan Advisory Board lies at the core of Bududa Learning Center's approach to community development. By empowering the community to take ownership and actively participate in decision-making, BLC fosters a sense of pride, ownership, and responsibility among the Bududa community. Through this collaborative approach, we can ensure the sustainability and relevance of our programs, empowering individuals and transforming lives in Bududa, Uganda. Together, we strive for a brighter future, driven by the strength and determination of the local community.

Family planning at BLC

Periodically, Bududa Learning Center hosts a family planning session for students of Bududa Vocational Academy and the community. A total of 180 students attended the session, filling our main hall. 

It was a great day of learning for everyone! Midwife Jessica Agwena, the family planning educator for Bududa District, was the main speaker. She was engaging with what could be an awkward subject. She continuously confirmed that the group was following her logic. She explained the benefits of family planning, the methods, and, notably, the myths surrounding family planning, an example of which is that birth control pills or implants can cause mothers to have children with oversized heads.

Some BVA students are already overwhelmed with caring for their babies and attending classes. Some come with babies to school, and some are currently pregnant. Two of the girls told us they became pregnant because they thought that if they used contraceptives, they would get cancer or become barren. Jessica, the midwife, showed everyone her upper arm where her contraceptive implant had been inserted, helping them understand that contraceptives are safe for women. She also outlined some reasons a woman may use contraceptives: those who wish to delay having children, those who want to have space between children, or women who decide not to have children. 

It is challenging for many students in Bududa who had children before completing school. They can't afford medical care, food, and school fees for their children and themselves. Life is complicated for most people but worse for students with children. They are required to attend school five days a week, and most of them come from peasant families with many issues and cannot provide basic needs for their children and grandchildren.

We want to thank all our donors for their sponsorship of our organization. This tremendous work of helping young women and men learn about family planning and contraceptives will enable them to complete school and have a manageable number of children. 

At the end of the session, 26 students got contraceptive implants, 8 ladies made an appointment with the midwife, and all 5 boxes of condoms and pills were taken. We still have some implants, but girls are gradually coming into the office to ask us to make appointments with the midwife on their behalf.

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.