An Unforgettable Journey: A Milestone Graduation and the Adventure of a Lifetime

A Warm Welcome in Uganda

 This September, School for Life welcomed 30 enthusiastic and generous supporters on an incredible journey to Uganda to celebrate a momentous occasion - our very first high school graduation. What unfolded was a week filled with deep connections, inspiring experiences, and unforgettable moments, all wrapped up in the vibrant culture of Uganda.

 The travellers arrived in Uganda and were greeted with a warm welcome dinner overlooking the stunning Lake Victoria. As the sun set, the group shared stories and excitement about the week ahead. It was an evening of introductions, laughter, and delicious Ugandan cuisine. The atmosphere was relaxed, but there was a palpable buzz of anticipation in the air as they got to know each other and some of the dedicated School for Life staff who make everything possible on the ground.

 

An Exciting Start to the Adventure

The following morning kicked off the adventure with a 7:30 am departure - a time that may have seemed daunting to some, but the energy on the bus was undeniable. As the group set off, excitement buzzed through the air, and the travellers quickly bonded as they embarked on the first of many unforgettable days.

 

A Heartwarming Visit to Ndibulungi

 Their first stop was Ndibulungi, a local government school that we partner with. The students greeted the group with songs and traditional dances, a lively and heartwarming welcome that set the tone for the rest of the trip. The visitors were then guided through the school to see firsthand the reality of government schooling in Uganda. 

The contrast between these schools and the improvements supported by School for Life was clear - the impact of community partnerships and financial assistance was evident. Stories of hope and resilience poured out from students and teachers alike, highlighting their gratitude and love for learning.

 

Connecting at Katuuso Primary School

 The next stop was Katuuso Primary School, the very heart of School for Life and our first campus. After a brief morning tea with traditional Ugandan tea, the travellers toured the campus and spent time engaging with our youngest students. Arts and crafts were in full swing as visitors joined the Early Childhood Development class, creating special moments with the children. 

 The joy was contagious, and soon everyone was laughing, painting, and creating memories together. During the lunch break, our visitors put their sports skills to the test with a competitive game of netball and soccer against the students—who, to no surprise, dominated the field!

 

Engaging with Mbazzi Primary and Secondary Schools

 The following day took the group to Mbazzi Primary and Secondary Schools. Once again, they were met with singing, dancing, and heartfelt greetings from the students. At Mbazzi Primary, the visitors had a chance to tour the classrooms and interact with students and teachers. 

A highlight was visiting the student-run mushroom farm, showcasing the innovative ways students are learning life skills and contributing to their community. The travellers were also the first group ever to tour our dormitory facilities at Mbazzi Secondary School, where they were blown away by how neat and organised the students were. 

 The day wrapped up with more friendly competitions on the netball and soccer courts, where our talented students once again put on an impressive display of athleticism.

 

Home Visits: A Personal Connection

Midweek brought a change of pace as the group embarked on a series of home visits, travelling deep into the villages where many of our students live. This was an eye-opening experience, as visitors were invited into family homes, sharing personal stories and learning more about the day-to-day challenges faced by these families. 

For many of our travellers, this was a deeply emotional and transformative moment, providing a firsthand look at the realities of rural life in Uganda. Despite the challenges, joy, gratitude, and hope radiated from the families, who were eager to share their experiences with the visitors.

Celebrating a Milestone Graduation

The pinnacle of the trip came on Friday - the day of our much-anticipated graduation ceremony. The atmosphere at Mbazzi Secondary School was electric. The excitement in the air was palpable as families, students, and visitors gathered for this incredible milestone. 

 The day was filled with performances, laughter, tears of joy, and heartwarming speeches. Our first graduating class stood proudly on stage, a testament to 16 years of dedication, support, and belief in the power of education. The celebration was an unforgettable experience, with a sense of pride and possibility filling every corner of the multipurpose hall.

 

A Fond Farewell

As the week came to a close, the group gathered once more for a final dinner overlooking Lake Victoria, this time to say farewell. What started as a group of strangers had transformed into a tight-knit community, bonded by shared experiences and a passion for making a difference. 

 The travellers reflected on the many moments that had touched them, from the joyful dances and soccer games with the students to the emotional home visits. Laughter filled the air as they recounted their favourite memories and toasted to the incredible week they had shared.

Join Us for Future Adventures

This trip was more than just a holiday - it was a journey of discovery, connection, and impact. The travellers left Uganda with full hearts, having witnessed firsthand the life-changing power of education. We are beyond grateful to everyone who joined us on this remarkable adventure and look forward to welcoming more supporters on future Travel4Good experiences.

 If you want to be part of this unforgettable journey and witness the incredible impact of education for yourself, we invite you to join us on our next Travel4Good trip. This is more than a holiday - it’s a chance to create lasting memories, connect with a vibrant community, and see firsthand how your support is transforming lives.

Interested? 

 Click here to learn more about our upcoming Travel4Good adventures!

Success Stories
Goretti

Sweet and shy Goretti lives with her aunt, uncle and cousins in a small house in the local village. When Goretti was younger, she moved in with her aunt and uncle because her parents could no longer look after her. She was one of our first students at Katuuso Primary, starting in 2011 when she was just 4 years old. Now, Goretti is in Senior One at Mbazzi High School, and is relishing the honour of being a high school student in her community - something that is taken for granted in Australia, but in Uganda, represents freedom and opportunity. Goretti also loves attending School for Life because she hopes to one day become a pilot in Uganda - a dream which she knows can only be reached with the help of a good education.

Violah

Violah has been at School for Life since since she was six years old. Sadly, Violah has experienced hardship no child should ever deal with. Her Dad passed away three years ago, leaving her Mum without the financial means to support her family - so she left Violah and her siblings with their elderly grandmother. Every day, Violah has to wake up at 5am to fetch water, cook meals and make sure that her younger sisters are properly looked after. Then she walks half an hour to get to school. Despite this adversity, Violah has flourished at school and has made many friends. She loves that School for Life is "helping me to build a future". After finishing school, Violah hopes to become a teacher to help other children.

Umar

Umar is one of our best performing students at Mbazzi Riverside High School - but life has not always been easy for Umar. His father abandoned the family in 2015, leaving his mother to struggle to support her five children on her own. School for Life has provided Umar with opportunities that may never else have eventuated for him. Umar begun his journey with School for Life at Katuuso Primary School, where his academic ability was quickly revealed. Now, he is a thriving member of our Senior 1 class and a formidable wing on the football team. With a love for mathematics, Umar is set on studying electronic engineering after finishing his senior studies - a goal which he is the first to admit is now within reach thanks to the skills and resources provided to him by School for Life.

Rose Nambooze

Rose is a 32‐year‐old single mother of one. She started working with SFL in 2013, after taking part in our tailoring training program. Prior to working with us, she was unemployed and living in her father's home helping to care for her father, who had cataracts, and his farm.
Thanks to her full time employment, Rose was able to save enough money to pay for an eye operation and restore her father's sight, allowing him to return to work as a mechanic. Now, Rose has moved into her own home and no longer relies on her father financially. 

Joseph

Joseph is one of our Special Needs teachers at Katuuso. After surviving a severe case of malaria at age four, he was left permanently deaf. He was raised by his single mother and attended a nursery school for the handicapped and later transferred to a school for the Deaf in Kampala. He eventually mastered sign language and pursued a university degree in education. Joseph decided to become a teacher so that he could give the gift of education to others who are hearing impaired.

Teddy Namatovu

Teddy is a participant in the Kumi Tailoring Program and four of her five children attend Katuuso Primary School. She and her husband farm two acres of land, which supplies fluctuating revenue. Participation in the Kumi Tailoring Project has secured income to reliably pay for school fees, nutritious meals and renovations to the family home. Teddy has gained a great deal of self-esteem from her ability to support her family and she takes pride in independently financing the education of all five children. Teddy has also been working on her numeracy and administration skills. She was appointed Treasurer of the tailoring group and will be responsible for keeping records of their savings.

Flaviah Nassaazi

Flaviah Nassaazi started working at Katuuso Primary and Vocational School in 2011. Prior to cooking at the school, she and her husband were subsistence farmers. They worked tirelessly for small yields and minimal income to support their family. Flaviah's cooking job not only enables her to pay school fees for her children, but she has also invested in a local barbershop business. She is now passing her cooking skills onto her eldest son Frank, who has also joined the school's cooking staff. Flaviah and her husband attend the adult literacy classes offered weekly at the school. Her English and reading have improved immensely, as well as her confidence.

Rachel

In 2010, Rachel began as a cleaner at Katuuso Primary and Vocational School. She was working to save money to study to be a teacher at University. Thanks to Barrie and Simone Goldsmith, her dream of studying came true and she is now fully qualified.