Muwonge Creates His Own Classroom and Builds Business Skills

Muwonge heard about Educate!’s VIP Bootcamp (the virtual mentorship component of our distance learning model) on his local radio station in Uganda, and knew he wanted to take part! Muwonge was not enrolled in Educate! Uganda prior to the pandemic, and since the outbreak of COVID-19 he has looked for ways to take charge of his education while at home. Muwonge signed up for Educate!’s VIP Bootcamp in November, and over the past two months he's focused on honing his entrepreneurial and leadership skills through remote lessons.

Throughout his journey, Muwonge has faced unique challenges that many of his peers in the Bootcamp have not experienced. His vision is impaired, and this vision loss makes it difficult challenging for him to read and travel unassisted. In spite of this barrier, and the added challenges of a global pandemic, his commitment to learning perseveres.

After regularly tuning in to listen to Educate!’s radio lessons on his local station, Muwonge set out to create his own classroom at home, seeking out individualized support and hands-on experiential learning through Educate!’s VIP Bootcamp. Although he is unable to read, his brother has helped him to participate in the full experience by reading aloud the activities and assessments delivered via SMS (text).

Leveraging his skills and the knowledge gained from the Bootcamp, Muwonge has successfully started his first small business: selling charcoal briquettes, which are used for fuel and kindling to start a fire. Muwonge sells his briquettes to neighbors and his community.

With the assistance of his grandfather, Muwonge recently traveled to one of Educate!’s first “Meet and Greets” in Kampala. Here, he met with his youth Mentor—who has been guiding him through Educate! lessons—in person, and showcased his charcoal briquette project. This energizing event, which followed strict COVID-19 safety protocols, created a space for VIP participants to connect one-on-one with their youth Mentors, share their business products, and receive new materials for the Bootcamp.

Like many of the young people who attended this meet and greet, Muwonge has big ambitions for his future. One day, he hopes to become an author and teacher, so he is able to positively impact other young people in Uganda—showing them that no obstacle is too big.