Celebrating a Milestone: School for Life's First Graduating Class

This September, School for Life marked an extraordinary achievement in our journey. On 21 September 2024, our first cohort of students graduated from high school, a culmination of 16 years of dedication, growth, and unwavering support from our community.

For many in this graduating class, the journey began back in 2011 when School for Life first opened its doors at Katuuso Primary School. Annabelle, reflecting on those early days, shared:

"I'll never forget the first day the children joined us on 31 January 2011. Many were malnourished, fearful, had never held a pencil, didn’t speak a word of English, and had no dreams for themselves. For many, their first piece of new clothing was the school uniform we gave them. We even had to teach them how to tie their shoelaces, as they had never owned shoes before."

 Watching these students walk across the stage to receive their certificates was a moment of deep pride for all of us. What started as a simple plot of land and a dream had transformed into a thriving institution, built on resilience, vision, and community.

A Day of Celebration and Reflection

The graduation ceremony began with student performances - songs and dances that filled our brand-new multipurpose hall with joy and excitement. As the hall filled with guests, teachers, and students, the energy was palpable.

Janepher, one of our longest-serving team members, opened the ceremony, reflecting on the significance of the day and the remarkable journey that led us here. She shared a touching memory:

 "I remember those early days when these students first entered our classrooms, still learning basic life skills like cleaning their noses. Today, they stand before us, ready to embark on the next chapter of their education, equipped with knowledge, resilience, and a sense of purpose."

 Her words brought many in the room to tears - a reminder of the incredible growth we’ve witnessed over the years.

 The Voices of Our Graduates

 Two exceptional students, Cissy and Steven, shared their personal stories, reflecting on how School for Life transformed their lives.

 Cissy’s journey is particularly poignant. When her mother first enrolled her in school, she assumed Cissy would attend until the age of 12, then leave to get married. Standing on stage that day, Cissy defied that expectation. In her speech, she said:

"You have not just given us an education - you’ve given us a future and hope. Thank you for believing in us and giving us the chance to dream, learn, and succeed."

 Steven’s story is one of resilience. He spoke of losing both his father and grandmother during his time at school and how School for Life became more than just a place of learning - it became his family.

 When I lost my father, who was the sole provider for my family, I lost hope. But you came and supported me and my sisters. Even when I lost my grandmother, you came with open, loving arms. Thank you so much."

 These heartfelt words encapsulated the depth of the School for Life community - a place of belonging, hope, and unwavering support.

 A Future Full of Promise

 Brenda, our Country Director, concluded the ceremony with a powerful message of hope and possibility, reminding the graduates that their journey had only just begun.

 "As you step out of these school gates, remember that education is a lifelong journey. The skills you’ve acquired here are stepping stones toward your dreams. The future is yours to shape."

 When it came time for the students to receive their certificates, the room erupted in jubilation. Families cheered, voices rang out in pride, and the joy of the moment was palpable.

This graduation is not just a milestone for these students, but for all of us at School for Life. The journey from a plot of land in the jungle to this day has been filled with challenges, but also with immense pride and progress. We’ve persevered to give these students the education they deserve - and we can’t wait to see where their journey leads next.

 Here’s to many more years of educating poverty out of existence and creating a brighter future for all.

To see all the highlights, take a look here!

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.