A team of Rotaractors from the Rotaract club of Kampala South joined the Rotary Club of Kampala South in Kabale for their 9th edition of the Nyaconga project from 19th – 21st August 2022.
The team traveled from Kampala for 300 km to the Switzerland of Africa _ a 7-hour drive filled with adventure, pit stops for roadside food, banter, music, and loud chatter. Kabale is a district blessed with ecstatic views of Mount Muhavura, hills, and ancient rocks. You can view the second deepest lake in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi, from a bird’s eye view in all its glory. These were some of the sights they enjoyed along the way to Hawks eye lodge, which would be their residence for the next two days.
The team in Kabale Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
On arrival, everyone checked into their rooms, unpacked, and refreshed for the night’s activities. Dinner was served at 9 pm, around a bonfire. The team got to know each other better and enjoyed cups of tea as they swayed to music into the wee hours of the night.
Breakfast on Saturday morning followed by a brief talk from the Service projects director, Innocent Agaba. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
They kicked off the next day with an 8km hike to one of the hills around the lodge. They enjoyed beautiful sceneries of nature, Lake Bunyonyi, Hawks Eye Lodge, mount Muhavura, and surrounding areas. Not forgetting the bitter-sweet Kabale morning breeze.
Breakfast was served at 8:30 am before they proceeded to plant trees in the neighborhood. Daniel Wasswa Ssemakoks, the mission green director of Rotary Kampala south, led the team for this session where they planted over 60 trees for the community.
Tree planting session at Hawks Eye Lodge. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
Rotaractor Belinda Mutabazi places a tree in the hole. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
The team proceeded to Grace Villa girls’ home, a sanctuary for vulnerable girls in Kabale. The home accommodates about 215 girls from ages 6-21 years. With the help of many sponsors and good Samaritans, the girls have found a place to call home. Most of them attend boarding schools or universities in other parts of the country and spend their holidays at Grace Villa, Kabale. The children are encouraged to nurture their talents like music, debate, dance, film, writing, tailoring, public speaking, and many others.
Grace Villa girls welcomed the team with a cultural dance. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
The girls showcased their musical talent to the guests on arrival. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
After the warm welcome from the children and a brief tour around the home, members of the Rotary Club of Kampala South, Rotaract club of Kampala South, and guests handed over a couple of items to the administration. Children received tailoring materials, clothes, shoes, foodstuffs, sanitary towels, storybooks, trees, stationery, and many more.
The mushroom training & resource center (MTRC), Rotary Kampala South partner, sensitized and conducted a mushroom growing demonstration for the children. The children learned how to grow mushrooms and prepare delicious mushroom soups. After the session, they served each of the girls a bowl of mushroom soup accompanied by slices of chapatti.
The team handed over the donated items to the girls. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
The older girls were excited to receive sanitary towels. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
The younger girls received storybooks. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
The team watched a film written, produced, and directed by the girls’ film class (Villawood Film School). Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
President of the Rotary Club of Kampala South, Paul Muhame, handed over a tree to one of the girls. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
The founder of Grace Villa, Ruth Bahika, received a cash donation from the team. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
Rotarians wearing custom-made jumpers designed by the Grace Villa girls. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
Photo moment with the children before departure. Photo Credit: Derrick Kabuye
Members returned to the hotel, relaxed, and enjoyed the evening around a bonfire. They shared stories, made merry, and danced till late.
On Sunday morning, the team bid Kabale farewell and embarked on a journey back to Kampala with hearts full of love, new friendships, buckets of stories, and a well of experiences.
