While the Ugandan government must overcome the hurdles described below in this article, the education reform taking place has come as a result of Educate!’s advocacy, our model’s impact, and government buy-in!

This reform includes inclusion of:

1. A more practical and relevant entrepreneurship curriculum.

2. A business club in schools.

3. A national exam that evaluates what students actually do in the business club, thus forcing the curriculum to be fully practical and transforming the classroom into a business lab.

While change can be slow, this clipping shows how Uganda is taking a huge step to a practical and relevant model of education being a fundamental part of the Uganda’s education system.

Please click on the picture below to see the full article: 

For 10 years Acumen Fund has been leading the way in entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty. Only 20 Fellows were selected in ALL of East Africa. Having three Educate! members selected as Fellows is truly an honor and a testament to our approach and vision.

More on Acumen: Acumen Fund seeks to identify and train the next generation of leaders united by a common mission of harnessing the power of social innovation to create solutions to East Africa’s most pressing problems. Building off of the success of the Global Fellows Program, Acumen expanded their investment in leadership with the East Africa Fellows Program in 2011.

More on the Fellowship: The program is made up of individuals, (three of our very own!), who are driving groundbreaking projects with large social impact both as employees with businesses, public sector organizations, and leading NGOs - and as entrepreneurs. The East Africa Fellows Program offers Fellows the opportunity to receive world-class leadership training along with the tools to accelerate the progress of their social projects.

George, Joachim, and Hawah, were selected because of the social projects they are leading, their outstanding leadership skills, and their potential to empower others. The selection process was extensive and included presentations, group assignments, and individual interviews.

The success of our graduates and team member in receiving the Fellowship is a direct result of the dedication of our supporters like you. Read more about our Acumen Fellows HERE!

• Silaj uses soccer in his community to encourage participants to stay in school.
• Sarah Nambozo began the Hope Youth Saving Scheme, an initiative to inform members of her community about the importance of saving.
• Juma Mugambe was concerned about the amount of plastic bags littering his village so he started a paper bag making business to reduce waste.
• Isaac Ngolobe was concerned about the lack of access to affordable clean water so he organized a meeting with water distributors in his community to encourage the creation of a reservoir with a tap system.

5. Countless Partners and Investors Committed to our Work

4. Our Scholars (Because they really are THAT amazing!)

Our 1,300 graduates have started more than 600 team enterprises, that involve an average of three people each, ranging from an initiative to plant over 10,000 trees, a fair trade social enterprise that exports products to three countries and employs 66 women affected by HIV/AIDS, the creation of two schools, and even a project which brought electricity to an entire village, among many others.

3. Educate! Awarded the Ashoka Fellowship

The Fellowship is composed of a global community of leading social entrepreneurs, tailored programming and mentorship, and financial support that will help Educate! take important steps towards developing the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

2. Curriculum Launched to Over 25,000 Across Uganda!

The Ugandan government has incorporated Educate!’s leadership and entrepreneurship curriculum into the national education system, guiding thousands of secondary school students annually in every corner of the country.

1. YOU!

Our success thus far is a direct result of your generosity and support. Thank you for being an Educate! champion. We look forward to working with you to accomplish even more in 2013.

She began school at the age of 7. Since then she has progressed greatly in her education.  With the help of the Educate! Experience, Monica knows that her journey in gaining a meaningful education is only beginning!

Although some people have discouraged her in pursuing an education, Monica focuses on the positive and reminds herself that “patience pays.” She is going to use what she has learned from Educate! to work towards a career as an accountant.

Dilish Ejang is no stranger to hardship; both of her parents passed away a few years ago and she did not have the money to pay for school fees. Consequently she was forced to take a break from her education.

While many would be discouraged by such hardship, Dilish deepened her appreciation for education and her determination to succeed in school.

The Educate! Experience has allowed Dilish to focus on learning and gaining a valuable education. Rather than be disheartened by her misfortunes, they have helped her to find joy in her daily life.  She aims to one day become a contributing member of her community, and Educate! hopes to see her accomplish her dreams!

Educate! Scholar Olga Ayugi is no stranger to hardship. From a young age, Olga’s family has struggled financially, particularly after the death of her father. However, these obstacles have made Olga persevere and work harder at her goals. Being resourceful and using her skills, Olga has earned a modest and inconsistent income by selling bread at the local market, and by helping people with odd jobs such as weeding neighbors’ gardens. 

Since becoming an Educate! Scholar, Olga now knows that she can take the skills she already has, plus use her knowledge from the Educate! Experience, to continue to make changes in her community and for her family. Her main goal is to stay focused on her education and help members of her community while working towards a degree in social work.

Mwebya Kassim

Mwebya Kassim’s incredible journey into leadership began with his hope to start a better life for himself.  Mwebya wanted to become self-sufficient but felt that he lacked the necessary skills and monetary stability.  Despite these challenges Mwebya’s determination never faltered telling his Mentor, “I will find a way.”

To become independent Mwebya knew that he would have to work hard and be creative. Using Educate!’s social entrepreneurship guidance, Mwebya started a poultry farm of ducks and hens.  Simultaneously, Mwebya got an after-school job at a restaurant.  Through the restaurant Mwebya worked with his boss to create more opportunities for himself, selling juice and other products on weekends and holidays.

Mwebya continues to work hard, creating more financial opportunities for himself and others. Using paper bag training provided by his Educate! Mentor, Mwebya and his friends meet weekly to make paper bags. They then sell the bags to different venues across their community.  Mwebya’s efficiency as a leader comes from his selflessness and dedication to Educate! and his fellow Scholars.  The previously reserved Mwebya has become a natural leader and is excited for what the future holds!

Joan Nansubuga

Joan Nansubuga has been defined by her peers and Mentor as a socially responsible leader, an inspiration, and an incredible entrepreneur. She managed to turn a small loan from her father, combined with her personal savings, into a successful jewelry business- creating  both traditional African and modern jewelry from African seeds and beads.  

Joan brought her project to Educate!, by teaching her fellow Scholars how to make jewelry, and by sharing a portion of her earnings with the Educate! school club. She currently employs two people. Next year, she anticipates being able to employ more members of her community.  Ultimately, she wishes to set up a factory with a line of jewelry outlets across Uganda. 

The inspiration for Joan’s beautiful jewelry came from her research of the market, and strong communication with clients.  She has been fortunate to show and sell her products in several exhibits in different cities throughout Uganda. 

Joan also realizes the importance of giving back and donates part of the profits from selling her jewelry to a local orphanage and vulnerable children in her community.  As the entertainment chair on her school cabinet, Joan maintains a close relationship with her peers and is admired by the school administrators. Joan’s combination of savvy business smarts, and an outgoing personality is sure to serve her well into a bright future!

 At a very young age, Educate! Scholar, Sharon Tino Alum was strongly instilled with her mother’s value for education.  With this attitude, Sharon Tino, works hard to gain the most from her Educate! Experience.
  

Although her mother is no longer alive, Sharon recalls her mother’s struggle and determination to pursue her own university education in the U.K. while providing her five children the opportunity to attend some of the best schools in Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. 

The commitment she saw in her mother, motivates her even further to thrive intellectually. 

Even without the presence of her parents, Sharon is committed to her educational success and has plans of one day becoming a successful lawyer!