KiBO SUMMER CAMP CREATES AN IMPRESSION ON THE LIVES OF 26 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

KiBO Foundation last week conducted a week-long summer camp which hosted 26 high school students ranging between 14 and 21 years of age. This was an amazing, life changing, and inspirational journey that opened their minds to a world of many possibilities. The experiences, games, lessons, and activities all created an environment of learning which was unique considering what the current school curriculum teachers. Thanks to Empower African Children and Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration for sponsoring these students for this program.

The Crate Game: Every team is required to move a distance of about 50 meters on crates without any member stepping off the crate. This require planning, innovation, and patience

The activities during this week focused on work, giving back, experiential learning, career awakening and fundamental IT. Every session was tailored towards equipping the students with skills and ideas which could make them all round persons. It was about seeing “beyond the now” and focusing on a lifetime of influence in the most productive way possible.

With notable high achieving personalities who among others included Fagil Mandy and Kenneth Kimuli “Pablo”, speaking to and sharing their experiences with the students, this was surely a powerful program. In addition to class instruction, the students did community service at Loving Hearts Babies Home, visited Uganda Industrial Research Institute and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, had spontaneous public speaking sessions, and had group discussions. All these sessions were aimed at shaping an all round person while building their self confidence as well.

That cracked us up! Kenneth Kimuli “Pablo”, a highly revered comedian and journalist left everyone in stitches during his talk

Rajab Basoga: “I got the chance to understand what life really is in Africa. Lucy made me understand that there are no jobs in Africa and I have a big part to play in solving Africa’s unemployment problem. When we went to UIRI, I was challenged by the person who was making briquettes from home waste. I thought you needed so much money to start a business but my mindset has totally changed after that visit”

Frank Isabirye: “I thank KiBO and the facilitators for this week. Before this week, I didn't know anything regarding business. Today, I have an idea which I’m going to act on. I am now going to write a proposal. Thanks to everyone who has made this possible. My Aha moment was listening to Pablo tell his story especially how he started honing his comedy skills while in high school”

Salima Merunisha Babirye: “I thank everyone who has made it possible for us to be at KiBO this week. I loved Barbara’s talk. I would love to have her come and speak to us again, whether at Empower or at School. From Barbara’s story, I learnt that no matter how many challenges you go through, you can still raise yourself up and have a positive impact on society”

That sums up how powerful the summer camp was. KiBO will always create innovative programs that engage the youth at all levels so that everyone will unleash their potential.