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!

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

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.