2022 Third Quarter Update

Friends, 

Before we share programming updates on the TASAAGA East Africa Secondary and Vocational School, we need to ask for your support. We are seeking donations -- either one-time or recurring -- to help overcome a number of factors contributing to increased costs and reduced revenue for our TASAAGA schools as well as the families and communities we serve. 

Background: The world is in the midst of an unprecedented inflationary environment, increasing geopolitical instability, and continued supply chain challenges. The Ugandan economy is feeling this turmoil particularly acutely as the price of food, fuel, building materials, and other basic necessities skyrocket and overall inflation hit 7.9% in July.

These broader economic dynamics coupled with a few local challenges in Sitabaale are not only increasing school costs but are also affecting our revenue. TASAAGA has historically relied on income sources like school fees and in-kind food donations from less-vulnerable families to supplement philanthropic support from Friends of TASAAGA. With families in our community struggling to afford food and fuel for their own homes, their ability to contribute to the school has been significantly reduced. This has led to an almost complete, near-term reliance on Friends of TASAAGA and the financial support we provide. 

Overview of Economic State Impacting Our Community: 

  • Food costs increase ~30% and fuel costs double since beginning of year: Food prices have been driven in part by the increasing price of imported wheat (nearly 50% of which comes from Russia and Ukraine) and drought in the northeast region of Uganda that has devastated the year's harvest. At the East Africa Secondary and Vocational School, we have seen the cost of food for our students increase ~30% in the past 6 months. Increasing fuel prices, which have nearly doubled across Uganda since the beginning of the year, have been driven by the war in Ukraine and lingering supply chain issues that have slowed the flow of fuel from Kenya.

  • Reduction in financial and in-kind support to the school: These economic dynamics are also having a drastic effect on the communities we serve. Our school operations rely on all of your philanthropic support but also on the school fees and in-kind donations (e.g., donated food from their farms) of families of less-vulnerable children. Given high unemployment and low crop yields, fewer families have been able to provide this support, which has increased budgetary pressure on Friends of TASAAGA.

  • Large local employer lays off workers: The major employer in our community, Sitabaale, is a Dutch-owned flower farm called Xclusive Cuttings. Over the past year, a new owner has taken over this business and has implemented large cost-cutting measures, including laying off many family members of our students. This has further decreased many family's ability to pay school fees or provide in-kind donations.

We continue to be amazed at the selfless dedication and support of this Friends of TASAAGA network. If you feel inclined to support TASAAGA's work, we encourage you to consider a recurring, monthly donation or a one-time gift. There are two ways to donate: 

Friends of TASAAGA is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, which means all donations are 100% tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt to prove it. Additionally, we guarantee that 100% of your donations directly support TASAAGA's programming -- you won't pay a dime to cover the operational costs of running Friends of TASAAGA-US.

Understanding the Ugandan educational system and supporting 4 students to sit for S4 exams 

In Uganda, secondary school is broken into 2 stages -- S1 through S4 and S5 through S6. At the end of S4, students take what is known as O-level exams. If students pass these exams, they will receive their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and can move on to S5 and S6. At the end of S6, students sit for their A-level exams and, it they successfully complete those exams, receive their Uganda Certificate of Advanced Education and are eligible to enter university. (See this article for more information on the Ugandan education system). 

As we enter our 3rd school year (not counting the 2 years during COVID school was not fully in session), we are starting to send more students to sit for their secondary school exams. As you know, Friends of TASAAGA is dedicated to supporting and nurturing the growth and education of students who would not traditionally have the opportunity to attend or complete secondary school. With over 40% of our student population considered to be orphans or vulnerable children, the financial support we provide is critical in achieving this mission.

This year, we are sponsoring the S4 or O-level exam fees for four vulnerable East Africa Secondary and Vocational School students. They will sit for this exam in October and it will mark a major milestone for their educational journey. If they pass, they will receive their UCE certificate and can either enter the workforce, likely at a higher salary for having this degree, or continue their secondary education for two additional years and be eligible to go on to university. We are proud of these students for their hard work and dedication and are grateful to be able to support their continued education.

To the Friends of TASAAAGA, 

My name is Christine Nakachwo and I am 19 years old, a Ugandan student of East Africa Secondary and Vocational School. 

The Director, Mr. Bruhan Mubiro told me that you have decided to sponsor my registration for the national exams of this year, 2022. 

I am writing to thank you so much for supporting my education. I also promise to study hard in order to pass and do well in the exams. I want to study until I become a nurse or a business woman in Uganda. The fees you have paid for me are the keys to my future, so may the Lord bless you all. 

Yours faithfully,
Christine Nakachwo 

3-27-2022

TASAAGA Student Vaccination Efforts 

Over the past year, TASAAGA has coordinated multiple vaccination clinics in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Bugema University School of Nurses and Midwives. Earlier in the year, many community members as well as all of our students and staff received their first vaccine dose and in late June, all TASAAGA students and staff received their booster shot. 

Carpentry Show Room 

As part of their vocational curriculum, TASAAGA secondary students may take carpentry, tailoring, and hairdressing courses. Executive Director, Bruhan Mubiru, built vocational training into our school programming to ensure that students graduate with employable skills. In addition to those skills, Bruhan and our school leadership are now exploring opportunities to train our students on entrepreneurship by beginning to market and sell what they produce in their vocational courses. This project is teaching students to be entrepreneurial and the proceeds from the sold products and services will go to further support the secondary school. 

In this photo, vocational teacher, Ronald Kayiwa, works with Carpentry students to construct a wooden showroom to display and sell products designed and built in carpentry class.