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.

  

FROM PETTY THIEF TO ENTREPRENEUR: MOSES MUTESASIRA ON KiBO’S INFLUENCE IN HIS LIFE

On a warm Friday afternoon, Moses Mutesasira, clad in his sky blue and grey over-all majestically walks to the place where his life took a complete U-turn…. KiBO Foundation. He shares his tale of transformation which was a result of the KiBO journey.

Before joining KiBO, Moses was a goon, a leader of a pick pocket racket on the streets of Kampala. Sleeping under tunnels, fighting, doing drugs, and leading a plan-less life was all he did. As a leader, he held strategic planning sessions with his loyal clique on where to go, who to target, and how to rob a potential victim. All this ended when he had an encounter with a one, Patrick Bwogi. It was at this point that he would hear of the name KiBO Foundation.  

In 2009, Moses enrolled for the KiBO program upon being recommended by Patrick. “In addition to the computer skills which I needed, I also wanted to improve on my communication and interpersonal skills”, says Moses about why he joined KiBO. His time at KiBO taught him more about life than anyone ever did. He recalls moments when he would disagree with some of his colleagues and burn with rage to the point where he wanted to fight. However, “KiBO’s environment was not appropriate for fighting”, he says with a smile. Moses summarizes what he learnt at KiBO in one statement, “KiBO taught me to believe in myself, to talk to people, and to bring a change in my community”.

Upon completing the KiBO course, Moses set out to begin anew. His first attempt in getting a job was futile. On three occasions, he went to the organization that had promised him a return call which never materialized. It was on his return from one of these visits to this organization that the idea of “Miracle Destiny Company” was born.

“I was walking back…, disappointed and pondering on what to do when I saw a sack of garbage at someone’s verandah”, recalls Moses. At that point he also recalls one of the many pieces of advice that Abraham Temu, the director of KiBO Foundation gave him, “find a social problem and get a solution to it”. He was paid UgShs 1,000 to carry this garbage and his life has never been the same. Miracle Destiny Company, a garbage collection company which is Moses’ brainchild currently employs six people (3 of whom are former street children), has a client base of over 200 people, and is growing in leaps and bounds. His vision for Miracle Destiny is “to diversify to a chain of businesses and make it the biggest brand in Uganda”.

His parting advice for any youth out there is powerful. He says, “The way KiBO changed my life is the same way it will change other people’s lives”.

PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING THE WORKS OF ART AT KiBO

George at KiBO

This world will miss the opportunity to see the fruits of your extraordinary talent if you don't tap into it and express it. This is not the case with George Lukwago who is bringing out the best of himself through the gift of art. A young, enthusiastic, and forward looking gentleman. His works are expressions of brilliant ideas. His paintings show a touch of elegance, they will make your wall look absolutely beautiful. And the photo frames that he makes are splendid. George makes use of anything that comes his way ranging from egg shells, stones, beads, plywood, and even paper to express his passion for art. All his beautifully crafted pieces (which are available at the moment) cost between 20,000 UgShs (8USD) and 40,000shs (16USD).  

What an industrious youth George is! Let's all support his amazing art project. KiBO Foundation wishes George all the best.

Some of George's pieces

George is a member of the 33rd class of KiBO Foundation, sponsored by Empower African Children, an organization whose mission is to prepare orphaned and vulnerable children for a life time of influence.

To support George's work, you can contact him on +256-777020812 or lgeargewillard@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can contact KiBO Foundation or Empower African Children and ask for George Lukwago.

Here's to youth who are taking initiave..... 

A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH THE FIRST STEP: THE KiBO FOUNDATION & THE UGANDA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

It is always interesting to see what happens when a group of committed children with special needs undertake a course in Information Technology. At the Uganda School for the Deaf, eighteen very brilliant young minds are attending a digital literacy program based on INTEL'S EasySteps program supported by the Australian Volunteers for International Development,  designed and implemented by the KiBO Foundation.

This modularized course is aimed at improving everyday computing skills among these children and discussing issues affecting them including their roles in communities. Sitting in the computer class for

the first time, some of these participants were nervous, scared and excited at the same time. “Touching a computer has been one of the best things that has happened to me”, said one of the participants through an interpreter.

Imparting knowledge to these exceptional children using a language that the (KiBO) facilitators did not understand (sign language) was quite challenging. However the commitment, energy, and attention demonstrated by these trainees gave the facilitators the drive to give it their best. These young minds asked questions, helped each other out and were not afraid to express how they felt during the course of the session. The excitement and gratitude expressed by these children at the end of the day showed that something out of the ordinary had been achieved. When asked about what they had learnt, one of the participants, Leticia, spoke so precisely on how she can now turn on a computer, use the keyboard and create folders. She is not the only one who learnt something; the entire class had some kind words towards the program. The interpreter, Mr.Bosa relayed their comments and most of them said, “we want them (the trainers) back because today’s session exposed us to things we never knew”.

A sign language experience for Lilian from KiBO

To these deaf children, it is not only about gaining computer skills. It is about building them as a whole and teaching them relevant life skills as well. The program has just begun, let us wait and see what transformation takes place in their lives at the end. Perhaps the next Steve Jobs is seated in one of these classrooms.

On a final positive note, the KiBO faciltators have learnt much about the indomitable human spirit, perseverance, patience, empathy, a smuttering of sign language and life! The future looks bright....

WE ARE KiBO

This is what it means to be part of the KiBO family. At KiBO, the joy of every youth counts. As KiBO continues to Change Lives & Communities, we bring smiles to the faces of youth through empowering them with skills that help them thrive and make the world a better place for all. KiBO Foundation, No Youth Left Behind.

JOIN US FOR THE GRAND GRADUATION AND SHOWCASE AT KISAASI PRIMARY SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, MAY 30th 2014 FROM 9:00-2:00P.M.

AIMEE MUKARUGIRA: REAPING FROM CRAFTS AND BRACELETS

Aimee is a humble, hardworking and goal driven young Rwandese lady. She is a self employed KiBO alumnus of the 31st class who currently makes exceptionally beautiful crafts and bracelets.

Hers is a story of continuous self improvement against all odds. She stopped her studies in S.4 and then joined an institute for a certificate in Secretarial Studies. She managed to save her pocket money, bought a few materials that enabled her start a crafts Business. This is how she currently earns a living.

HOW SHE KNEW ABOUT KIBO

She was informed about an opportunity to study ICT by a friend at KiBO. She went to the Refugee Law Project where she was then sent to Rubaga Division to apply, and this brief explains how she got to know about KiBO.

KIBO EXPERIENCE:

Aimee expected to gain ICT skills and get a certificate at the end of her KiBO training. However, she got more than just ICT skills.

• ·         She appreciates the new friends she got and the team work spirit that was exhibited during project work.
• ·         Community service enabled her learn how to sensitize communities on good hygienic practices and doing service above self
• ·         She further sharpened her entrepreneurship and saving skills.

A jolly Aimee Mukarugira at KiBO Foundation

Above all, she is so proud to know that her personal participation in every activity is very important in changing lives and communities

Aimee says, “….this program should not stop with us. So many youth need the skills imparted through the KiBO program and should therefore be expanded to different communities. The KiBO program helps people to become better leaders who can effect positive change in their communities for National transformation and development”.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• ·         Aimee did not believe she could start up a big business for herself. She is grateful for the project planning and management practical sessions she had while at KiBO. The green House project made her see the possibility of doing something bigger than herself.
• ·         The Speaker series and spontaneous class presentation sessions enabled her learn how to speak to people with confidence.
• ·         She has a better self esteem than she had before KiBO.
• ·         Fundraising skills for a genuine cause is another lesson she took home from her KiBO journey
• ·         Aimee has learnt that it’s not always about having a job. Doing voluntary work to make a difference in communities is also important.

LIFE AFTER KIBO

Aimee lives a life full of optimism and hope for a better tomorrow. She applies some of the lessons she learnt from KiBO in her day to day running of business. She has worked hard to build her customer network. She is also using the power of social networking to expand on her customer base.

Aimee has been in position to export some of her crafts and she is so grateful that all these lessons were brought to her attention during the KiBO program. She really appreciates the power of networking in business.  Her customers are members from the neighborhood and community. She is currently developing a business proposal to start up a Crafts shop that portrays the diverse cultures in Uganda.

Aimee is grateful to the George Drew Trust for the opportunity to experience this unique training that KiBO imparts to the youth. This amazing journey has helped her get equipped with skills that have changed her life style, financial status and mindset.

(Article written by Douglas Balikuddembe, Tutor KiBO Foundation)

CALVIN MATOVU: THE KiBO ALUMNUS WHO IS TURNING GARBAGE INTO BRIQUETTES

Calvin is an industrious and creative young man. He runs an environmentally friendly and sustainable project that turns garbage into a product used for cooking. His briquettes business tells a story of patience, focus and resilience.

After hearing about the KiBO program from a youth councilor in Kawempe Division, he decided to join this interesting and challenging journey of contributing to the well being of society. The aspects of Technology, Leadership & Project management are what mainly attracted him to KiBO.

Calvin Matovu passionately talking about Briquettes

While at KiBO, the pillar that had the most impact on his life was Community Service. He was engaged in this activity even before joining the KiBO program. However, the way in which KiBO implements its community service gave him an idea on how to take this back to his community and more especially use it to build his business. The KiBO program gave him proposal writing tips and ideas on how to fundraise for projects. He has managed to receive a grant from Kampala Capital City Authority to further grow his business. He also works with colleagues who have gone through the KiBO program.

When asked about what makes his business survive, he says “Faith and Passion. I love rubbish no matter what other people say”. He continues to say that determination, endurance and good leadership (especially for his staff) are very vital. His inspiration for joining business is Mr Ashish Thakkar, Founder Mara Group.

Calvin looks at KiBO Foundation as a place where he sharpened his critical thinking skills and teamwork abilities. “KiBO has made me a better leader”, he concluded.

KiBO Foundation wishes Calvin Matovu all the best in his business. Calvin will be exhibiting at the KiBO students graduation at Kisaasi Primary School on 30th May 2014.