Community Empowerment

(The Agwara Machine donated by Dennis Argall in 2006 being received by executive committee of CDA) Community Transformation entirely rest upon the empowerment of those who are directly affected by it, I believe that the road to community strengthening is barely based foreign donation and welfare activities. To enable people realize their dreams, there is need for enough support to towards their own energies with their full participation at all level.

(one of the students of Tailoring)We have used the same strategy with my friend and mentor Deniss Argall to develop the community of Nyalebbe; he (Dennis) first made a donation of Agwara Machine to start a trade school for the community in 2006, then later we managed to raise funds through NABURR website to elevate the trade school from Tailoring to take on another project (Carpentry). The initial plan for the school was to have three major courses Tailoring, Carpentry and Brick Laying and Concrete practice (Masonry), but due to limited funding we started with two projects Carpentry and Tailoring which are running well till now. We have now graduated a number of students who have spread up to as far as Mahagi, Bunia, Mungwalu etc earning a living with the knowledge obtained. Our first graduation ceremony was held in 2012 while hosting visitor from Reach Architecture Studio Canada (Crystal and Lisa).

(The Traditional Chief of Anghal (second right), Rwoth Serge Upidhkich Djalaure offering a goat to the staff of Reach Architecture Studio)To have this school built and well equipped, we entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Reach Architecture Studio. Reach Architecture Studio is an organization founded by the students of University of Toronto, the Nyalebbe project is their thesis project for the award of Masters Degree in Architecture.

(Members of CDA and students have a meeting with staff of Reach Architecture Studio)We have had a number of challenges in this project, our major challenge being fundraising at the community level. The community had started training at least two tutors that is for Carpentry and Tailoring,but they could not complete due to inadequate funding yet they also have to train other two teachers who will be the instructors for Information Technology and Masonry. also in the MOU, paying of these tutors when the school opens is the responsibility of the community and other funds that may come from the tuition charges. I have not been in touch with the community for a while as travelling to and fro Nyalebbe has not been possible due to other obligations and confronts, but my colleague Adubango Opio has been monitoring whatever is taking place there though he has not shared with me a written report. Another challenge which was on the Reach Architecture Studio side, has been that Crystal who is at the forefront of this project from the Canada side has had a baby who developed some complications thus could not do much till the baby grows to some age.

(Crystal carrying a basket)From my discussion on phone with the people of Nyalebbe, they are still optimistic that, this project will be completed at one moment.