Transforming Lives: Our Journey at Kitega Centre

“Being at the center is truly exciting! I never imagined we would have the opportunity to share our stories on TV and radio, reaching audiences all across the country. It’s amazing to think that people are actually listening to us. The support we receive here is incredible; it’s like a family that genuinely cares for us and provides resources we can’t find anywhere else. I feel confident that this is the perfect place for me to thrive and achieve great things!” – Mary

As we look back on our journey at the Kitega Centre for the past months, we are filled with gratitude for the progress we’ve made together in supporting children with disabilities, improving literacy,  providing vocational training and facilitating community driven development. The impact of our work is inspiring.

We are so excited to receive letters from some of our beneficiaries who appreciate the work that we are doing.

Our vocational skills instructor, Alice, has seen many of our children become eager to pursue vocational training especially in handcrafts. They are excited to create products that are now sold in our local community.

Robert, one of our deaf students, has taken a big step by joining the Mbale School for the Deaf to improve his tailoring skills, with plans to return and teach others at the centre replacing the instructor that passed on a few years back. 

While finding jobs is still tough for many of our students with disabilities, we are committed to creating social enterprises that help these children engage in meaningful work and build their independence. 

Guardians have shared positive feedback, noting improvements in social skills and increased contributions at home. This is a true testament to the belief that disability is not inability.

At the same time, our community health initiatives are moving forward as we prepare the hospital for its upcoming opening. Structural work is almost complete, and we are now focused on getting the necessary equipment to register the health center. The excitement in the village is clear as Kennedy leads our team to ensure that the hospital will be licensed and operational soon. We are especially proud to have created a maintenance job for Kizito, one of our graduates with disabilities, who enjoys taking care of the hospital grounds.

Looking ahead, we are preparing for an eye health clinic in collaboration with Kawolo Hospital. A team of eye surgeons from Spain is expected to visit Kitega Centre in November to provide treatment and perform surgeries for various eye conditions. Our dedicated team and volunteers are working hard to raise awareness and ensure the community is ready for the health camp.

Our Project Porridge initiative has made a significant impact, serving over 600 pupils in partner schools and boosting school attendance. This program not only nourishes pupils but also encourages them to engage with their education, with some schools reporting an increase in enrollment.

The involvement of local and international volunteers continues to be vital in our efforts. We are pleased to host two interns from the University Polytechnic Valencia, who are actively participating in community projects while learning from our initiatives.

Through our church and community mobilization efforts, groups are taking charge of their challenges. The local church in Kitega has launched a successful outreach program, gathering resources to support those in need and spreading hope within our community. The VICOBAplus initiative is thriving, with dedicated leaders visiting over 20 villages to encourage collective action and the implementation of new ideas for community improvement. The empowerment of women leaders through this initiative is changing lives and building confidence.

Our new partnership with the Imago Dei Fund is exciting, providing support for VICOBAplus over the next three years. The VICOBAplus maize mill is fully operational, helping both members and the local community by purchasing maize from farmers and supplying flour to the market.

The Tuwone project continues to support young mothers, focusing on producing reusable pads to keep girls in school. Recently, we distributed several pads to neighboring schools, along with important sensitization efforts. This initiative, born from the challenges of COVID-19, empowers young mothers to live with dignity.

Legal Aid – Through our efforts, we have created a safe space for individuals to learn about their legal rights and seek assistance in challenging evictions that threaten their livelihoods. Our legal team is dedicated to providing support and guidance to those who need it most.

As we approach the end of 2024, we are excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary at the Kitega Centre. Join us for our annual Christmas party on December 8th, a joyful occasion to reflect on our journey and share our blessings with those who may not otherwise celebrate. Your generous contributions make this possible, and we invite you to help us bring smiles to many this Christmas season.

We are focusing on two key projects: the community hospital in Katungulu, which needs equipment to start operations, and Umoja House, a proposed structure to provide more community space for various activities at the centre. Both projects are moving ahead.