My name is Stephen Sooka. I am the Program Coordinator of the Kitakule Foundation. My role basically involves planning and supporting the implementation of the foundation’s development programs. I count it as a great honor and opportunity to contribute to the development of a community that would otherwise be disadvantaged if the foundation did not provide a modern library and children’s medical center.
Over the last five years of my service at the Foundation, I have seen great transformation happen in the community through the learning opportunities available to the community at the Busesa Library.
Teachers have been able to access teaching resources in form of books and online resources.
Children have been given a chance to use their play time productively by engaging in learning (computers and books) which many children do not have access to in Uganda. Hope Children’s Clinic that was opened in 2018 has saved many children’s lives through provision of quality medical services at a very subsidized rate.
Initially the community had deep seated social and cultural misconceptions about education where education is not valued especially for the girl child. Through our community engagement and mobilization initiatives, we have seen all these misconceptions begin to dissipate and a new love for education and aspiration for greater dreams by parents towards their children begin to emerge.
We are beginning to see great transformation when some of our beneficiaries are breaking barriers to aim for higher levels of accomplishment in education. The community is more receptive and responsive to the foundation’s development programs. The local leaders have also been supportive in mobilizing community members. The need to serve more people is big yet the foundation is still limited in terms of human resource as well as financial resources.
Challenges
- Expansion of the foundation’s programs to accommodate more beneficiaries in Busesa and surrounding villages/towns is constrained by limited financial and human
Way forward
The Kitakule Foundation continues to provide educational services and medical services to the Busesa community and as resources allow we shall expand our services to surrounding villages and towns as well as implement our economic empowerment and training programs for other demographic compositions in that region such as women and youth.
The Foundation is open to receive volunteers to come and serve in the community in the areas of education, health, training, community sensitization, Information and Communication Technology etc. If you are interested to come and volunteer please check our contact details and talk to us.