This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend three weeks in Kalongo, Uganda, at St. Bakhita Vocational Training Centre (SBVTC). Leading up to the trip, during my final semester at Notre Dame, I was involved in the Powerful Means Initiative through the Innovation 4 Impact club, where I served as president and played a significant role in the tutoring program. After dedicating so much time to working with the SBVTC students and fellows, I was eager to immerse myself in their world. From July 4th to the 27th, I was joined by a group of Notre Dame recent grads, rising seniors, and a staff member from Notre Dame Learning for this enriching experience.
This was my second visit to Kalongo, and the differences between my first and second immersions were striking. My initial trip in January 2023 lasted just under a week and occurred during a Ugandan school break, which meant there were fewer students at SBVTC. While we achieved many of our immersion goals through the Innovation & Design Thinking course, our understanding of the daily activities and cultural intricacies was somewhat limited. My summer immersion provided a more comprehensive grasp of life in Kalongo. Living and working alongside the students gave me a deeper, more nuanced understanding of their circumstances, although I acknowledge that I am still far from an expert.
"Living and working alongside the students gave me a deeper, more nuanced understanding of their circumstances"
A notable change from my first visit was the growth of the students. The few scholars and fellows I met in January had evolved significantly. Now senior fellows, these students exhibited advanced skills and a stronger drive in their English literacy, tech skills, and future aspirations. This growth not only reflected the impact of an SBVTC education but also provided the new innovation scholars with inspiring role models. Their success demonstrated what dedication and hard work could achieve, reinforcing the value of investing in one’s education. Having the fellows and senior fellows around campus plays a significant role in motivating the innovation scholars.
During my time at SBVTC, my daily schedule varied from day to day and project to project. We enjoyed three meals a day at the newly opened St. Bakhita Restaurant, where I assisted in designing the menu. My other work included contributing to the freelancing project, spending time in the Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC), helping to organize a menstrual cup seminar, coordinating textiles for the Notre Dame bookstore, and teaching entrepreneurship and English. I was particularly passionate about the English literacy tutoring program and conducted a survey to gather feedback on past Zoom tutoring sessions. This feedback was invaluable, and I look forward to seeing its implementation in the fall tutoring program. The scholars had impressive ideas that mainly revolved around incorporating those that lacked in their literacy. For example, one student recommended that we pair an advanced scholar with a struggling student and allow them to participate in the session together to help with any language barriers. Now that I’ve graduated from Notre Dame and started dental school, I am eager to remain involved in Innovation 4 Impact and the Powerful Means Initiative in any way I can, starting with tutoring!
Amidst the project work, we had the chance to explore Murchison Falls National Park, where we went on both a water and sunrise safari. The morning safari, which coincided with my birthday, turned out to be the best birthday I’ve ever had. I was treated to a breathtaking sunrise and a display of wildlife. Upon returning to SBVTC that evening, the Notre Dame team and senior fellows had organized a surprise birthday party for me. The celebration, complete with a double-decker cake, party games, dance battles, and soda, made me feel incredibly loved, especially in the absence of my family. I am pretty confident that every single innovation scholar gave me a hug that night. We danced late into the night, creating memories I’ll cherish forever.
I was particularly moved by the sacrifices parents, mostly mothers, make to ensure their children receive the education they never had.
Halfway through our trip, Alyssa Neece from Notre Dame joined us to work on filming interviews with SBVTC teachers, staff, and students. Conducting these interviews, both at the school and in the community, offered profound insights into the students' lives and the community’s positive spirit. I was particularly moved by the sacrifices parents, mostly mothers, make to ensure their children receive the education they never had.
The perseverance and hope demonstrated by the students, many of whom are determined to use their education to uplift not only themselves but also their families, are truly inspiring. Interviewing the students was one of my favorite parts of the immersion.
I am immensely grateful to Mark Pulido, Donna Walker, Prof. Angst, Quin Gallagher, and all those who support the Powerful Means Initiative for making this transformative experience possible. The warmth and hospitality from everyone at SBVTC, including Victoria Nyanjura, Collins, George, Solea, and Hope, were deeply appreciated. A special thank you goes to senior fellows Vicky and Cinderella for their support with our project work and for teaching us the art of hand washing laundry. Lastly, I want to thank Maeve Murdock, Jake Williams, Ciara Fay, and Simone Baravelli for being with me every step of the way. From helping me use the projector to killing cockroaches, we always had each other's backs. Apwoyo!