Why Bother?

Anything we do is just a drop in the ocean isn’t it? Yes, but that drop could be life-changing or even life saving for one person and their family. Contributing for three years to a young person’s training could impact for the rest of their life.

In years to come wouldn’t you like your epitaph to read 'He/she made a difference and gave someone less fortunate a chance.'

Nile Vocational Institute has a comprehensive follow-up programme, and keeps in touch with ex-students for a minimum of five years if possible. Consequently, they have collected a large amount of follow-up data over the years which indicates that over 90% of students become successfully self employed or gain employment in their chosen skill. However, the real excitement is in hearing the personal stories of the downtrodden being lifted from relentless poverty and given a leg-up out of the gruelling poverty trap that is the developing world.

As the old man walked along the beach at dawn, he noticed a young woman ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally catching up with the woman, he asked her why she was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until morning.
'But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish,' he said. 'How can your efforts make any difference?'

The young woman looked at the starfish in her hand and then threw it to safety into the waves. 'It makes a difference to this one!' she said.

Real People, Real Stories

’Picked from the dust’ - Tony Olenge’s story

‘Father and son’ - Mike Atkinson and Mugalu Julius

‘Two young girls, two different worlds’ - Naomi and Naume

‘Purpose, joy and satisfaction’ - Epoke Nixon and his sponsor Eleanor Cryer

‘If you met Rose now, you would not believe’ - Katooko Rose

'What meant so much to him cost me relatively little' Euton Gordon and his student Anywar Richard

Team on back of lorry

Members of the 2006 Team on the road

What the students say

I had no hope since my father passed away in a car accident and mother died of HIV / AIDS. They left three of us in the family. I applied to NVI and was successful. It surprised me so much because I thought life had come to an end. I am very happy to be here and promise to work hard on my course.
Bateganya Moses

I promise to work hard and acquire skills in order to have a bright future.
I had no hope but you have given me hope. For that I thank you so much.
Mutumba Joseph Aggrey.

After my parents died we were left just helpless, I ended at P7 in school. I was left redundant at home just practising some agriculture for home use then my aunt told me about this sponsorship at NVI. I really thank you and your family for having such glorious hearts of helping us, the orphans, and I promise to work hard in my studies.
Idwarit Bosco

I lost my father due to HIV/AIDS and I had no hope for the future. Everyone rejected me and I had no money to go to secondary school since my father passed away. He left three wives and six children of which I am the eldest.
Magala Ivan

I don’t have the right words to express my gratitude to you for sponsoring me at NVI. Please accept my humble thanks to you
Keminagano Hellen

By the time I learnt that I have a sponsor, I was very happy and I took this news as a miracle in my life
Monday Gaston

…ever since I joined NVI my life has changed positively
Bogere Bonny

My father died of cerebral malaria in 2003 on 9th November. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers in my family. I was just sitting at home digging without going to school because I didn’t have support. The reason for studying electrical installation is that I want to become an engineer so that I can plan for my future life and help my brothers and sisters.
Wejuli George William