She remained in the care of relatives but with very little hope of going to school.

At the time she had completed her primary education and was due to join secondary school. Sadly though, she hardly attended school, spent most her time as a baby sitter.

Sarah was in 2006 identified by a volunteer and taken up by the foundation.

Sarah was able to complete her education in 2015, graduating as a student of Tourism from Makerere University. Today she is a proud alumnus.

Uganda Community based tourism network were looking for someone to send as a participant for FK. So, I went and worked with them for a period of one year, 2016 – 2017. The exposure that I got from out there shows that there is a lot of offer in the sector, for northern Uganda; Especially when it comes to culture and food.

There is a lot to offer in terms of tourism. Here we are talking about the uniqueness to this community. That is an opportunity that I am looking up to. I want to be able to set up my own “Home-stay”, where I will be hosting visitors.

Sarah Amono harvesting a delicacy vegetable “Akeyo”, a key item in her planned
“Home-stay” tourism business.

My mother died when I was four, I never saw my father. I lived in the village with my grandmother.
Life was so hard, but I managed to complete primary education and fortunately passed well and joined a secondary. Through hardship I completed senior two. At this point, I thought it was over!

One afternoon, a social worker that my grandmother had interacted with before came home. The memory of that afternoon, is still fresh. She asked to take me to her home because she had found a school for me and the sponsor needed proof of my presence. My grandmother accepted because, I think, she was desperate. As for me, I was happy for the opportunity to return to school. It was nonthe-lees painful leaving my grand mum.
A few days later I was taken to a magnificent office by the social worker with all my academic documents where I answered a few logical questions. I was offered a big form to fill at home.

For the first time in my life I met two strangers whose love and care very well substituted for mum and dad! These people often visited my grandmother to offer moral support and also visited me at school. They made a turning point in my life. I later learnt that the man is the Country Manager Mr. Denis Awalinga and the lady was the Sponsorship officer, Miss Aye Cora Lydia.

Two weeks into the final term of senior three, my fees were fully paid. I was declared a complete beneficiary of Lindner Foundation Uganda! I completed the term, performed well and I joined senior four.
It was so amazing that I was the first student to complete fees payments including Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) registration fees. I studied smoothly, joyfully with focus. Senior four was accomplished well with first grade in Rock Foundation Secondary School Nsambya.
The Continuation

After O”level results were released, I chose Masaka secondary school where I studied my High school Certificate. Sincerely there is no time I missed classes because of school fees. Most remarkably Madam Cora used to travel from Kampala to visit me in Masaka and to make my fees payments.

Her contract portfolio has now risen to Ten million shillings.

She uses this money to execute the orders, pay support staff and generate an income for herself. She is also a qualified educationalist heading the department of tailoring and cutting garments at the ChildCare Technical institute in Kitgum. She recalls vividly a time when the future was bleak. But today, “I am what I have become because of Lindner Foundation.

Fun with Fashion

Creative options to pick from. There are plenty of unexpected ways to incorporate African print into your wardrobe.

As a modern skirt: The modern skirt is not one with the traditional cut and hemline. Skirts now come as skorts (where a skirt is attached to a pair of shorts to form one piece), in deconstructed make (where the skirt is altered to have uneven edges, pockets in unimaginable positions, et al) and in many more interesting makes. And, all these are available in African print.

As a modern shirt: Just like every other thing, shirts now come in interesting makes. From the now ubiquitous off the shoulder cut, the ne cold shoulder cut, deconstructed make, with fluffed detail, bell sleeves and puffed shoulders. All in African print.

After a successful interview session, my application for Education Sponsorship was granted. LFU supported me through my Diploma course at Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing (2007-2010). I qualified as a Registered Comprehensive Nurse in 2011. I am currently working with Busitema University.

I am living very happily, able to economically support myself and to also extent some support to my family. For instance, I am able to ensure the schooling of some of my nieces. Babirye Victoria, who is the older one, is now 23. She is expected to graduate in January 2018 with a Bachelor in Development Studies at Makerere University.

I have also been able to upgrade my carrier. I graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Science in march 2016, at Uganda Christian University, Mukono on personal sponsorship. I intend to pursue a masters course starting 2018.

Concurrently, I set up and started running a personal drug shop that is located in Kakira town council; into which a sum of 2,500,000/= was invested as a start-up. I am looking forward to transforming it into a wholesale pharmaceutical outlet and in the long term, establish a fully-fledged clinical service.

I feel that I am a successful person today, tomorrow and forever, because I see many achievements coming my way.

Continuous mentoring and life skills support, has enabled me gain strong leadership skills. This accorded me a leadership opportunity in the Alumni Association of Lindner Foundation Uganda (AALFU). The numerous leadership trainings that I have attended, good advice and support from the Foundation, have moulded me into a much better servant leader. This being the comprehensive tool, it has enabled me to convert problems into good lessons. And so, as Chairperson, I have seen the Alumni Association grow into a better association.

Akello Alato Phyllis | Accountant/ Finance Manager

Holder of finance officer’s diploma from Uganda management institute, a Uganda Diploma in Business Studies from Uganda college of commerce Soroti and a management in practice certificate from British council.

Joined Lindner foundation on the first April 2007 to date as an accountant. Worked in Uganda martyrs vocational institute as an accounts clerk for the carpentry production unit, acting bursar for the school, promoted to bursar, supervisor of accounts clerks for the garage production unit, carpentry production unit, home economics unit and store keeper from January 1999 to 2007.  Worked in Nakawa vocational institute Kampala as store keeper for sheet metal section from first April to December 1998.

Recently acquired the tittle of finance manager at Lindner foundation Uganda.

Ms. Kyoshabire Oliver | Education Support Manager

Ms. Kyoshabire Oliver is a seasoned development professional with over 12 years of distinguished and illustrious experience in Education and Management. She is responsible for supporting the implementation of the program activities like identification, assessment and recruitment of deprived, excluded bright but vulnerable children into the program so as to have the capacity to improve their lives and opportunity to become young adults, parents and leaders who bring lasting and positive change to their communities. She is also tasked with the responsibility of preparing work plan and budget in collaboration and coordination with other departments, engages proactively with the stakeholders and community volunteers during planning, readily represent Lindner Foundation Uganda in relevant fora and seminars on matters of child protection and sponsorship.

Before joining Lindner Foundation in 2015, Oliver served as Secondary School Instructor where she was responsible for providing strategic leadership in career growth and development, academic excellence, counselling and mentorship.  With the knowledge and skills in the field of education, the Department has so far supported more than 1000 beneficiaries with over 400 graduates in different professional disciplines and majority are employed in both formal and informal sectors.

Ms. Kyoshabire holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Management from Gulu University, a Diploma in Secondary Education from Kyambogo University and currently perusing a Post Graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation at Uganda Management Institute.