Join the UgandAid family in sponsoring.

So, after 2 amazing weeks in Uganda with our dear friends at Nile Vocational Institute and students past and present we're nearly home. Just waiting for last leg from Brussels,  most of us to Manchester and Isabelle to Heathrow.

It's been an amazing time catching up with the students UgandAid sponsors through the generosity of it’s sponsors. There are so many more vulnerable young Ugandan people, families and communities who could be lifted out of the poverty trap to become inspirational leaders, as we saw yesterday, with more sponsors. YOU could make such a difference if you join us. If you might be interested in sponsoring a student at NVI under the UgandAid scheme or giving a regular donation through “Friends of UgandAid” PLEASE get in touch.
https://www.ugandaid.com/sponsor-a-student

Monday 2nd March

Our last day in Uganda is always a very sad one in many ways since we know we shall be leaving behind lovely friends, both old and new, who have helped create more lasting memories for us to treasure. Indeed “ Reflections of the Trip “ was the subject of our morning prayer circle, which confirmed that this was the overwhelming view this year too - how we feel that the love, hospitality and care for us never changes but that we are seeing real positive change in NVI with a new Leadership Team, which is so encouraging.

We were also joined after breakfast by NVI’s Director, (Isaac), Deputy Director for Finance (Daniel), Chaplain. ( Joseph) and Accounts Manager( Judith) who gave us a very Ugandan “Journey Mercies” blessing. So typically warm and thoughtful. And then onto our ancient but reliable coach for the 4 hour journey to Entebbe, as always an adventure in itself in many ways!!

Now we are at our hotel in Entebbe , relaxing for a few hours on the shores of Lake Victoria, looking forward to seeing our friends and families once more, with whom we can share our personal reflections of a wonderful, enjoyable and successful trip to Uganda … and soon start to look forward to 2027!

Geoff

Sunday 1st March

Our final day in Jinja

Today, Sunday, is our final day in Jinja before we travel to Entebbe tomorrow for our long flight home. It is a bitter sweet moment. This wonderful visit to Uganda is nearly over.

Well we’ve had a busy day!

We started the day at the church service at NVI during which our team took part in the service. We sang worship songs accompanied on guitar by Dave and our friend Jimmy. We performed a skit, which was well received by the staff and students, Janet and Jane said the prayers and Steve was the preacher.

There was praise and worship from the mass choir, which was brilliant as always.

Following the service the official opening of the decorated dormitory took place.

The girls and the matron were delighted with the freshly decorated dormitory and the gifts left for the girls.

A most convivial gathering took place with members of our team, the NVI senior management team and many of the staff, with refreshments provided by the catering department. There was a huge cake made in our honour,

There were heartfelt speeches, prayers from Rev Joseph, and we all sang a most appropriate song “Bind us together Lord” whilst holding hands, a very special moment.

Our annual meeting with our alumni took place in the afternoon. Past students came and some staff members and members of the leadership team.

We heard stories of success from our ex students. They all are extremely thankful for their sponsorship, which enabled them to learn a skill and get a job.

We heard from Ronald who studied BCP. He works in the building industry and has worked very hard in order to open a school called God’s promise, which is thriving. He is part of a group of ex NVI students who work together on contracts.

Ronald is extremely grateful of the sponsorship from Ugandaid, without which he wouldn’t be in the place he is now.

We all introduced ourselves, including the ex students. It was lovely to hear how they have got on since leaving NVI.

It was a lovely afternoon but the highlight for me was seeing 4 of my ex students in the same place at the same time.

We concluded the afternoon with the cutting of a very special cake made by another of our ex students, Joshua.

Every time I have visited Uganda love has flowed both ways. This year however the love and warmth flowing between us and these wonderful people at NVI was tangible.

We shall leave here tomorrow with sadness in our hearts but with hope that with God’s grace we shall return again next year.

All of this work can only happen if we get support from the UK and we are so grateful for everyone who does. If you’d be willing to donate a small amount per month or would like more information please contact Christine, ugandaiduk@gmail.com

Julie

Saturday 28th February

This morning began with a trip to a local village to meet “Agatha Christie,” who makes all sorts of beautiful goodies including paper angels, bags and bracelets. She was such a lovely lady and her husband welcomed us warmly too. We will be selling her handmade items in aid of UgandAid, so please let us know if you would like to purchase anything. More details will follow on Instagram @ugandaiduk and Facebook @ugandaid.

Afterwards, a few of us visited our friend William, a child doctor at Jinja Hospital. He is an inspirational and kind hearted man. His daughter Ruby was with him, whom he brought home from the hospital eight years ago after she was abandoned. Others spent their time white water rafting, meeting former students and taking the opportunity to rest.

Later, David and I headed up to NVI for music practice and to catch up with some of the students. I love being at NVI. Being a similar age to many of them, it often feels like spending time with friends back home. We laugh in the same way and share similar life challenges. Yet materially, my life has been very different. I have had free, high quality education and access to the NHS whenever I have needed it. Here there is no free school or free healthcare, and many live hand to mouth. While I might know one or two people at home who have lost a parent, most of the students at NVI have lost theirs through HIV, road accidents or violence. It is heartbreaking.

Today I met Aminisi, the student sponsored by my family, and Emmanuel, the student I sponsor. It was such a pleasure to spend time with them, to understand their living arrangements and to understand that everything is covered through sponsorship and UgandAid.

£44 a month is the cost of a round of drinks or a few coffees, yet it can completely transform a young person’s future. Perhaps your workplace offers a salary sacrifice scheme, which can make it even more affordable. Please consider sponsoring a student today. There are many vulnerable young people in desperate need of hope, and education is how we help provide it.

Isabelle

Friday 27th February

As many of you know, Ugandaid exists to give hope to the most needy and vulnerable of Ugandan young people through its student sponsorship scheme at Nile Vocational Institute. Ugandaid however is more than just about providing money for tuition fees. Today, after putting the finishing touches to the girls dormitory with new pillows and gift bags, the team had the opportunity to visit the family homes of two of Ugandaid’s students, Robert and Safara. Robert is in his third year at NVI studying to be a Motor Vehicle mechanic and Safara is a first year Catering student. Safara’s (pregnant) mother and 3 younger sisters live approximately 15 minutes drive from NVI in a small brick built house by the side of the main road. The family survives by selling vegetables and charcoal from a small stall

In front of their house. Some of the team were shown the house by Safara’s mother, whilst the rest of us played balloon’s and bubbles with Safara’s younger sisters. Robert lives further out from NVI in the countryside, which required the use of Steve’s off-road driving skills! Robert’s father, Emanuel and mother, Fatima live together with 9 of his brothers and sisters, with a further 6 siblings living elsewhere. The family has 4 cows and survives by working the land around their house. We provided some gifts of laundry soap, sugar and salt to both families as a thank you for the very warm welcome that they gave to the team. Challenging home situations are common to all Ugandaid students. Today I was also able to spend some time with the student sponsored by my own family. His name is Gastas and he has just started his first year at the NVI Motor Vehicle Mechanics facility. Gastas lives around 9 hours drive from Jinja. He lives with his mother and 5 other children - a mix of siblings and cousins whose mother has died. His father was badly injured in a car accident and currently lives with his mother’s parents. He’s a good footballer, however supports Chelsea! I am looking forward to supporting Gastas over the next couple of year and maybe changing his footballing allegiance! If anyone reading is interested in sponsoring an NVI student under the Ugandaid scheme or donating through “Friends of Ugandaid” then please get in touch (https://www.ugandaid.com/sponsor-a-student). There is a desperate need for support and on this trip we’ve all seen first hand how UgandAid can change lives.

Dave.

1000th Student.

Mary. First year Hairdressing student

Thursday 26th February

We started this morning by putting some special finishing touches to the girls dormitory, amazing bunting made by Bowdon church school, before the bunk beds are moved back in. The corridor and inside courtyard also got some bunting to share the love with some other girls. 

We are also delighted that the Textiles department are using their skills to make and fit individual shirts and dresses for all the team.

Then we returned to the mango tree to meet with more UgandAid students.We love to hear their stories and bring news home for sponsors.

We are celebrating the 1000th student to be sponsored through UgandAid and lifted out of poverty.  So 1000 families, and their communities, across Uganda, have benefited.  What an amazing 24 years of UgandAid. 

Meeting 2nd and 3rd Year Students

What a lovely morning, sat under the mango tree at Nile Vocational Institute, chatting and catching up with some of our Ugandaid students. The smiles on their faces as they thank sponsors for this opportunity to study and gain qualifications to support themselves and their families. They tell us of how they enjoy learning new skills in class and more on Industrial Training (work experience.) And life isn't all hard work,  they enjoy running marathons!!!! football, singing and dancing.

Reflections on UgandAid group trip 2026 Wednesday 25th Feb

As we near the end of our trip here I’m able to reflect on a whole range of experiences and how they can impact our lives.

The realisation that we have left the bubble in which we live our own lives started on the long bus drive from Entebbe to our hotel in Jinja. The road was crowded with thousands of small motorbikes weaving all around the bus on all sides and driving around the potholed roads which make even our worst roads look great. These bikes frequently carry all kinds of cargo, lengths of drainpipe, mattresses etc. and often whole families of up to 4 adults and children all without helmets.

Then, moving on to our main activity here The Nile vocational institute where our sponsored students live for 3 years of their lives. I was immediately struck by two notice boards outside themain office. Stating the core values at the outset: God fearing - discipline- Trust and honest - Time management - Integrity and flexibility- Love and teamwork. Then the other notice which made me laugh at the contrast to current U.K. schoolgirl ‘uniforms’ - Dress decently!

All the students and staff are polite, helpful and friendly, in fact living up to their core values.

All the UgandAid sponsored students come from deprived backgrounds and are frequently orphans and yet they are always cheerful and show a desire to learn.

Then Dave and I made a quad bike trip into rural areas beyond car access. We passed many families living in meagre shacks living a subsistence existence. The wide-eyed children often rushed out to wave and high five these aliens rushing by on weird machines.

On Sunday we joined the joyful morning service of Praise song and dance and then in the afternoon we entertained 80 of our students to a time of organised chaos of hilarious games.

Then on Monday we visited a refuge for street children in Jinja. These are children with no homes, no identity, no known DOB and often names they give themselves. At CRO- Child Restoration Outreach - we served them a basic meal and sang our blessing to them.

In all of these situations we have met so many living with a strong Christian ethic, genuine warmth of spirit and so much joy.

We who have so much more in material possessions have much to learn about living our lives with thanks and joy - in fact living with the core values taught at NVI.

Ian

Tuesday 24th February

The day started with devotions at the bottom garden, it was a bit dull to start with but by the time we had finished breakfast it was the start of a lovely sunny morning. We adjourned to the top garden to prepare gift bags for the 20 new students. We met up with them later in the afternoon. We also made up 35 bags for the girls who'll be living in the newly decorated dorm. We got to NVI at 1.30 pm and laid out all the gifts and metal trunks. We met all the UgandAid and Steve spoke to them all about what we’ve expected of them while they’re studying at NVI. After the second and third years had gone back to their afternoon lessons, we then proceeded to the mango tree to talk with the first year. They’re all a lovely bunch of students willing to learn, to make a better life for themselves. Some of them are very shy but who ain’t when you’re moving into somewhere out of your comfort zone, they were all very pleased with what they were given, they began to decorate their trunks and flasks and mugs.

Very pleased with what they had done, they took them back to their dorm to enjoy being in their new home. Joan.

Monday 23rd February

Today has been a very varied day. Some of us started off in the garden making bunting out of colourful flags made by the children of Bowden school. This will look great hanging in the newly decorated girl's dormitory at NVI.

Then we went to Jinja City View Cakes run by Joshua (the Passionate Chef) who received his Catering qualification at NVI sponsored by Ugandaid. It was wonderful to see how well this young man has done and how receiving this qualification has given him a real chance of starting his own business. He has a little shop in Jinja and makes the most wonderful cakes. His dream is to pass on his Catering skills to others but shared how difficult this has been over the last year. He will do well I'm sure.

We went straight from there to Child Restoration Outreach (CRO), a project in Jinja which reaches out to the many, many street children of Jinja. Noah who heads up the project there explained some of the journey that they try to lead the children on towards reconciliation with their families. The team consists of social workers, teachers and a House Mother amongst others. Initially the team reach out to the children aged between 5 and 17 through meeting them on the street and providing them with a meal a day. The team get to know the children and work with them over a period of time to build their trust and teach them the word of God. Once the child has realized that living on the street is not where they want to be they may move into the residential part of the project . About 25 children can be accommodated and the process of reconciliation with the family can begin. If all goes well the family is reunited, sometimes this is not possible and other family members are approached to take on the child. Eventually they are supported to go to school.

It was incredible to see these young people, some as young as 8 who were formerly living on the streets in school uniforms praising God with us. What a privilege and what an amazing work .

Jane

The Joy of sponsorship.

I had a fabulous day on Saturday. 🤗

I first came to Uganda in 2013 and my friend Pauline and I took on the sponsorship of a student studying at Nile Vocational (NVI) funded by our home Church St Thomas' Trowbridge. We had the privilege of meeting and spending time with Mary Faith then aged 18 and beginning a 3 year Hairdressing course. We were able to meet up with Mary Faith on subsequent visits and have stayed in touch. This year I have had the privilege of coming to Uganda again and today and I was able to meet up with Mary Faith again and meet her husband Paul and baby Elijah. It was such a delight to be greeted by this beautiful young woman and introduced to her friends as her Mummy. She has turned into a beautiful woman of God in a very happy marriage. She works part time for a charity reaching out to women from a marginalised tribe because she wants to give something back to God.

Mary Faith has not had an easy life but is so grateful to Nile Vocational Institute for the education she has received which has lifted her out of total poverty. I do think Pauline and I have gained more though through being able to play a small part inthe lives of these beautiful people. I would thoroughly recommend sponsorship.

Jane.

Sunday 22nd February 2026

The trip has been great so far. I arrived later on Friday and it was so good to see the team. Yesterday I had the special experience of meeting up with an old friend, William, whom my mum knew from her first few years in Uganda. He is now a paediatrician specialising in neurology at Jinja Hospital, which is amazing. I also had my hair braided, which took a very long time but was such a fun experience.

This morning we went to church, which is always joyful and full of life. There was so much dancing and vibrant worship, and a brilliant message from a guest female preacher. Watching the students celebrate and dance for the Lord is a beautiful sight and such a privilege to witness.

After church it was straight into sports day and what a blast it was. From parachute games to balloons and sack races, the sound of laughter filled the air. Seeing all the students together was incredible. I even learnt some Lugandan and attempted a dance, although rhythm is not my strong point. Once the games were finished we shared sodas and snacks, giving everyone time to chat and take photos, which the students absolutely love. Being a similar age to many of them often means I end up in what feels like a paparazzi line as a queue forms for pictures. This year I was grateful not to be the only one, as many of the students were keen for photos with David with the boys keen to talk football and pose proudly in their favourite shirts.

Uganda is a marvellous country and the relationships here are so special. One thing that has really struck me is the widening impact of UgandAid. While getting my hair braided I mentioned our work at NVI and the braider immediately recognised UgandAid and spoke about a friend who had been sponsored. It was such a powerful reminder that the impact reaches far beyond what we can see.

Other exploits on our day off!

So Dave and Ian had a fun day Quad biking. Passing through villages where the children were playing and stopping for a rest beside the beautiful Nile, where ladies were also doing their weekly clothes wash, no washing machines here.

Saturday 21st February

The start of another beautiful day in Jinja but one which is always different for us all, in that it is a day of relaxation after the physical work of the renovation project of the previous 3 days.

This is a day on which we can also arrange to meet Ugandan friends, our current or previously sponsored students and their families or prepare for the important events of tomorrow- the NileVocational Institute Sunday Service,followed by the Sports afternoon for all UgandAid (UGA) students by the Nile. The Olympics this most certainly is not!!! ( More of that in tomorrow’s blog).

Julie and I went into Jinja to spend time with another Isaac whom we started to sponsor in 2015 as a 15year old boy from a very poor area outside Jinja.

Isaac went to Nile Vocational Institute (NVI) to study Building and Construction on a 2year Craft Course, followed by a Covid interrupted Diploma Course at another local college. During Covid, he set up and registered his own charity to “ provide food for the poor”.

After Covid, Isaac completed his studies but wanted to pursue further education to train to be a Pastor and set up with a friend his own church outside Jinja, alongside earning a living using the skills learned at NVI.

Isaac is now in the 3rd and final year of a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, based on a Seminary in Kampala. In addition to all that, he is planning to get married next year!!

Our meeting was full of excited chat about his journey so far and his hopes and plans for the future. He is also the co-ordinator of the Alumni Group of ex-students of NVI who live and work in and around Jinja whom we shall all be meeting next Sunday.

Whilst we are immensely proud of what he has achieved in the past 12 years, the wider point is he is one of the many NVI students who are a tribute to the education and training provided there and the values and ethos which it espouses.

Isaac has always said that without NVI and UgandAid, he would have spent his life digging vegetables!!

Is it any wonder that we are all so passionate about our long-standing relationship with Uganda, its people, and NVI and so full of hope for its future.

Geoff

Friday 20th February

There are certainly some things that Uganda has in common with the UK. For example you can get a KFC and even an iced latte when you visit a shopping mall, as we did briefly on our first day whilst changing some money. Also, as evidenced by the charging station in one of the NVI dormitories (see photo), the shared understanding of the importance of a full mobile phone battery! There are also of course many differences. Some, like the weather, are a welcome change, but others put into stark contrast the privilege of life in the UK compared with the daily difficulties of life in Uganda. I was challenged today by Jesus’ words in Matthew, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’’ These verses felt particularly relevant not only for Lent, but also for our time here in Uganda. The Ugandaid students we have been meeting at NVI have little or no treasure on earth and have experienced tremendous hardship, but yet always have a smile and a happy greeting for us.

Today, we were very happy to welcome Isabelle to the team, a much needed additional pair of hands as we looked to finish the painting of the dormitory and office - which we successfully achieved. A really great effort from everyone. Only the curtains to go, which will be made by Deo and his students from the Textiles department in the coming days. We hope the finished rooms will add a bit of additional colour to the lives of those using them. Only another twenty to go…

Isabelle also brings the average age of the team down considerably and will hopefully bring some youthful energy, thoughts and ideas to the days ahead. Another bright note for today was the arrival of Jane’s suitcase! I’d say great job Brussels airlines, but it wouldn’t be true.

With the first objective of the trip accomplished, we look forward to what the remainder of the trip will bring, which amongst other things will include welcoming the new Ugandaid sponsored students to NVI - but more on that in the next editions…

David Hall

Thursday 19th February

We woke this morning to cloud and rain but it was warm and the lush green vegetation of Kira Road nurtured our spirits. After a morning reflection focusing on ‘growth’, learning and facing new things (we already had lots of new things we’d done/seen/experienced even on day one) we set about our second day of painting and decorating one of the girls’ dormitories. The second undercoat went on much better than the first and by lunchtime the topcoat was on and the room was looking pretty smart - if we say so ourselves!

A conversation was had about what some new curtains might look like, and on a similar ‘fabric’ theme, we were all measured up for a garment to be made by the students studying dressmaking and textiles. We are intrigued to see what they come up with but we’re sure the clothes will be colourful and made with love.

All the students we met today have been typically warm, friendly and polite and it was lovely to see Gloria (x2), Isaac, Jesca and others both in the grounds and showing us round the dormitory accommodation.

The weather continued throughout the morning to be warm and cloudy- so perfect for working and then the sun came out in the afternoon and we had a few moments in the NVI grounds to rest after we packed up for the day whilst we waited for Steve and Christine to emerge from a long meeting with Isaac, the Interim Director of the Institute and the wonderful Joseph Kaninga who manages the Ugandaid partnership. Isaac is positive and focused and has many plans for taking things forward and we are all so pleased to know this.

We return to the hotel to have an evening meal with Isaac and Joseph as guests and as I write this, I am serenaded by Dave and Jimmy who has come to the hotel to practice some worship music. They are providing an uplifting ending to what has been another very satisfying and blessed day.

Janet.

Wednesday 18th February

Tuesday

Our first full day in Jinja.

After an early get up time we started the day in our customary way gathering in a quiet place for a time of reflection and prayer. Led by Janet we reflected on the time we will be spending in Uganda, and the plans that God has in store for us.

We travelled to the Nile Vocational Institute (NVI) a short drive away across the other side of the River Nile, and were warmly welcomed by members of the senior management team.

Then it was off to the girls’ dormitories to start the preparations to decorate one of the rooms.

After washing down the walls and cleaning up we had lunch. in the afternoon we put on the undercoat. The room looks much brighter already. More decorating will follow tomorrow.

I first came to Uganda 19 years ago and I have visited many times since.

People ask why I keep going back, and I used to struggle to explain the pull of going to Uganda until I finally realised that it wasn’t about what we do, it is about people and relationships.

I have met many lovely people over the years and it is simply wonderful to be back here once again this year.

6 years ago I met Isaac, a young man who had a difficult start in life followed by him having an accident, which resulted him being severely burned after an epileptic fit.

Isaac was recommended to study at NVI by the Jinja Hospice and started a plumbing course. As soon as Geoff and I saw him we knew we wanted to sponsor him. After graduating after a 3 year course, we worried what Isaac would do next as due to his facial burns and other problems he would find it difficult to find employment.

NVI agreed to let him stay for an additional 18 months, ending in December 2025, doing voluntary work, and we said we would continued to support him. We felt it would give Isaac more time to develop his skills, but more importantly to become more of the person he should have become if the accident hadn’t happened.

We thought that we might not see him again, but God had other plans.

Just after Christmas we heard that the NVI management had asked Isaac to return to NVI.

They are providing him with bed and board and are paying him a small wage.

We are beyond delighted and this morning as we got out of the bus he was there coming to meet us.

We thank God for his plans for Isaac, who told us last year that he knows that God knows him by name.

Julie

Tuesday 17th February

After a very early start (2am for Dave)for 6am flight we arrived safely in Uganda. Just 1 suitcase short unfortunately, but Jane is embracing the need to manage with minimal clothing etc. What a trooper.  ❤
Today we're heading to Jinja. Really appreciating the cooling cloud cover as we battle the traffic,  especially motorcycles which are the local "taxis"  often carrying one/ two people or a whole family,  or a sofa!  But we are in the safe hands of Katendei our regular driver for the 3 1/2 hour journey from Entebbe.
As we are stuck in traffic,  roadside vendors come to the window to offer us fruit and drinks.
We see and smell the burning charcoal used for cooking but also the stench of burning rubbish.

We see the beautiful green country, in many places growing the lovely Ugandan tea and coffee.
Some ladies are digging small plots outside the home, ready to plant their seeds just before the rains come next month, hoping and praying they do come. These days the twice a year rains are less reliable and too often the crops fail.
And as I write,  the rain starts to fall!
We arrive in Jinja where we are welcomed by friends and staff at Paradise Hotel, so grateful for safe travel. We are ready for a good night's sleep before meeting more friends and students at Nile Vocational Institute tomorrow. 

We are excited to see what God has planned for us over the next two weeks and to share our adventure with you.

God Bless.

Helen.

We've Arrived 🥳