January 15th, 2019 was one of the happiest days of my life because it is when I received a call that I would finally be able to go to university. I had completed my A-level education a year earlier and had not enrolled in any tertiary institution as I lacked tuition fees. Now, I had been awarded a full study scholarship from Beautiful World Canada, offered through Nyaka.

On January 20th, 2019, almost a month after the first semester had begun, I attended my first lecture at Uganda Christian University in Mukono. I will never forget the joy and gratitude that I felt, knowing that I was finally a university student. The scholarship from Beautiful World Canada not only catered for my tuition fees, but also scholastic materials, accommodation, necessities, and even
a stipend!

With all my needs taken care of, I was motivated to work tirelessly to achieve my academic aspirations. I concentrated on my academics and achieved first-class grades in both semesters of my first year.

However, in my second year of university, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, resulting in a nationwide lockdown. All learning institutions were closed, and I went back home to Nyakagyezi village awaiting a time when my studies could resume. Fortunately, my university with authorization from the National Council for Higher Education opted to administer the teaching and learning processes online. I, therefore, had to continue my academic work online using a phone and other electronic devices.

This required stable electricity and internet connections which I did not have at home. The crowded environment at home also did not provide a conducive atmosphere to study.

The Nyaka Blue Lupin Community Library, supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation, became a Godsend during this time. The library provided a comfortable learning atmosphere with a wide range of reading materials that facilitated ample study and research. The library’s stable electricity ensured that I could always attend my online classes as I was able to charge my phone. The computer lab was available for me to research, complete, and submit schoolwork that could not be done on my phone. This community space allowed me to engage and study with students from other universities who had also taken advantage of the services the library was offering. Through the library, I gained mentors and friends that are still dear to me today.

With all these resources and benefits provided by the Nyaka Library, I was able to not only keep up with my studies but read ahead which allowed me to excel in my academics.

Beautiful World Canada continued to pay for my tuition and internet costs to support my online education during this time, ensuring that my studies remained on track despite the pandemic’s disruption. I was also provided for as I fulfilled the research and internship academic requirements for my course which allowed me to fully engage in the experience. Beautiful World continued to support me when the lockdown restrictions were lifted and I was able to return to university.

On July 29th, 2022, I graduated from Uganda Christian University with a first-class degree in Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration. Indeed, this is a great milestone and I believe it will lead me to my life goals, which include becoming a professor and giving back to my community. The opportunity that was given to me is a blessing that has changed my life! I am where I am today because of Beautiful World Canada and the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the work that they do with Nyaka. I am eternally grateful. Thank you!

Stidia is a 55-year-old widow and grandmother of five orphaned and vulnerable children living in Mulehe Village, Rushebeya Parish of Kambuga Subcounty Kanungu District. Stidia owns a garden filled with fruit trees, weather resistant seasonal and perennial crop varieties, and domestic animals (goats, chicken and pigs).

“After receiving training in microfinance and enterprise management, basic vocational skilling, agribusiness and livestock management from Nyaka in 2017, I tasked myself to embark on full-time agribusiness that would later change my storyline and income narrative. Nyaka did not stop at equipping me through training, but also gave me a startup microloan of $28.5, which I invested in the purchase of improved agro-inputs, tools and labor. Unlike before, I started using compost and liquid manure to boost my crop yields, running water control ridges to prevent soil erosion, and adopted the use of natural pesticides to mitigate crop pests and diseases. Agribusiness has become my income and food security lifeline from the time I joined Nyaka’s grandmother program,” she proudly said. 

Nyaka’s MEAL team conducts Annual Household Income Surveys (HHIS) to measure impact and progression of household income, earnings, assets and poverty index (PPI). We also measure rates of compliance and adoption to standard practices in microfinance and enterprise management, WASH, agriculture and livestock care following several trainings, input distributions and group microfinance loan disbursements. Stidia’s trajectory and progression above the World Bank extreme poverty threshold of $1.90 per day is a statement to the impact and the socio-economic transformation Nyaka is imparting on rural communities in South Western Uganda.

Our 2021 impact survey outcomes on household income and out of poverty progression index, estimated Stidia’s daily income and earnings at $4.36, with livestock assets worth $198.5. Every season, her household generates over $380 (7x what she used to earn before Nyaka came into the picture) from her agribusiness and livestock enterprises. Oftentimes she also provides agricultural expertise and casual labor to other farmers at a fee of $2 a day. She is able to pay school fees, facilitate household expenses, contribute to her group savings pool and take care of all her loan obligations with grandmother and microfinance group of Rushebeya. 

“I have pride in seeing my orphaned grandchildren being able to continue with their education, while accessing most of the basic needs a parent would wish for their children…” she said. Stidia is looking to set up a small boutique for second hand clothes in the near future, to further expound and diversify her income sources.

The ambassador for a day competition gives girls aged between 14-18 years old an opportunity to spend the day shadowing the British High Commissioner to Uganda. The competition aims to build confidence in young women, helping them develop into first class leaders and is open to all girls from across Uganda. For this competition, girls were asked to write a 1000 word essay answering the question, “‘If you were Ambassador, how would you use your influence to increase climate change action in Uganda and the world’?” Out of the many essays received, Comfort’s essay was so compelling, she was one of three finalists selected. 

On November, 9, 2021, the top three finalists were hosted by the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Kate Airey, shadowing her and learning from her. During Gender Day at the UN Climate Change Conference, all three young women experienced what it’s like to be a UK ambassador for a day, with a focus on climate change. Comfort, along with the other winners, spoke to High Commissioner Kate Airey about their hopes and dreams and how they are tackling climate action.

“I am so happy to have been selected as a winner of the Ambassador for a Day competition. I am looking forward to coming to Kampala and shadowing the British High Commissioner for a day. I am excited to learn more about what it takes to be a leader, especially as a woman. When I heard that my essay on increasing climate change action had been selected as one of the 3 winning entries from  across the whole of Uganda, I gained some strength. I felt that if I can succeed at this I can succeed in other things. It has given me confidence in myself. I am grateful to all the teachers and staff at Nyaka Primary School, Nyaka Secondary and Vocational School and Maryhill High School for their encouragement and support.” 

Kashemere Comfort, age 18, Nyaka student

Last year, the 2020 New York City Marathon was been cancelled due to Coronavirus. While we were looking forward to this historic event, we also wanted to keep our runners safe.

On September 7, 2021, Nyaka participated in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon as a charity partner to commemorate the marathon’s 50th anniversary. We were excited to have Nyaka Founder and CEO, Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, running again this year along side 17 other dedicated runners. The extraordinary loss, turmoil, and disruption of the past 21 months has tested our global community in a way that none of us had previously experienced. On the bright side, this past year and a half has pushed us all to be the strongest and most resilient versions of ourselves. It is this sentiment and hopeful spirit that we brought into this year’s New York City Marathon. Runners raised $125,000 in just four months!

Each year on the day of the NYC Marathon, the Nyaka community hosts its own marathon in Uganda to symbolically run and walk alongside the team in NYC to show solidarity. This year the marathon was held virtually with ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown, joining a few runners at the starting line to flag off the start of the marathon. It’s estimated 75 people including staff, students, grandmother’s, and friends of Nyaka ran in Uganda! While many runners only competed a portion of the marathon distance (26.2 miles), we had four men run the entire distance. These same men registered and completed in the 2020 virtual TCS Marathon from Uganda last year!