Uganda: Buwate Sports Academy

Summary of RMF/MTCF-sponsored activities carried out during the reporting period under each project objective:

• The children who sat for their national examinations (Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), and the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE)) in 2014 received their results. Some passed in division two and others in division three. Those who completed primary seven have joined secondary level and those who completed senior four have joined advanced level.

• The Academy conducted various first term friendly matches, which included: Buwate Sports Academy (boys) vs Mulago Super Heroes. Buwate Academy took the win 3-0. Buwate girls played the Kasangati girls’ team and celebrated a win of 1-0. Buwate girls also played the Mulago Super Heroes Academy girls which ended in 1-0 in favor on Mulago Super Heroes Academy girls.
• We distributed exercise books to the orphans and vulnerable children under sponsorship. This contributed to minimizing absenteeism during this term. 
• 65 Children under RMF sponsorship had their school fees for the first team paid.
• Food for the children in the Sports Academy was provided (rice, maize flour, cooking oil); this is a way of keeping the children healthy as well as motivating them to continue coming to trainings. In addition, during outside sports activity children were served meals.
• Wages for the two cooks were timely paid.
• On the 14^th of February 2015, we hosted one official from Health eVillages, the Global Program Manager Rachana Lyer, who came to see the activities of Buwate Sports Academy.
• To recognize International Women’s Day (8^th of March), we organized a four-hour symposium for mothers on parenting to increase awareness.  This symposium was initiated because one of the Academy girls (Nagendo Khasifa), who was in senior two, went missing from home after realizing that she was pregnant. She told her mother, who rebuked her and prompted the girl to go into hiding.

Results and/or accomplishments achieved during this reporting period:

• Participated in various holiday matches namely: Buwate vs Mulago Super Heroes, Buwate vs Kasangati (both, boys and girls)
• Children who sat for their national exams in 2014 are joining the next level of education.
• During this quarter the Academy was able to purchase food, charcoal and cooking oil for the children.
• With the financial assistance the Academy receives from RMF/WCF, school fees for 65 children were paid.
• Wages for cooks and volunteer coaches were paid.
• The Academy was able to purchase scholastic materials for children.
• Hosted a visitor from Health eVillages which was an inspiration to the children.
• We initiated a programme called ‘The Girl Talk’ where issues concerning the girl child are raised in accordance to the age group. The sessions were conducted throughout the quarter.
• The Academy celebrated International Women’s Day in a unique style by inviting the mothers who have children in the Academy for a parenting talk.

Appendix: Photos
Appendix A: The Mulago Game

(L) Volunteer coach Francis Kalungi talking to the girls on arrival at Mulago Super Heroes playing ground; (R) The Buwate girls team greets their opponents, Mulago Super Hero girls, just before kickoff

(L) Soccer in action: Buwate girls vs. Mulago Super Heros at Mulago playground; (R) The under-12 boys team playing against Mulago Super Heroes boys team

(L) The boys in action during their match; (R) Buwate girls and Mulago Super Heroes in a group photo

Appendix B: Buwate and Kasangati Match

(L) The team organizing to leave Buwate Sports Academy for the Kasangati game; (R) The under-12 Buwate boys team showcase their skills in Kasangati

The team returns for the second half during the Buwate Kasangati match

Appendix C: Games in Buwate

(L) The Buwate boys getting ready to take on their colleagues; (R) The team getting started

Appendix D: Scholastic materials bought for the children for their first term

(L) Exercise and text books purchased for the children; (R) The children in Kireka feeling excited after getting books

(L) The great stars, the under-18 boys, are so happy after getting their books for the first term; (R) Buwate girls team in a photo after getting books — in the middle is Christine, the RMF area coordinator

(L) Book distribution in progress; (R) The children are so happy and say great thanks to RMF/WCF

Appendix E: The February 14th Visit

(L) Not only do the students engage in sports, but they also enjoy music; (R) The children entertain the visitors from Health eVillages in a welcome song

Buwate and Kireka together are entertaining the guests. Pictured are the Global Program Manager, Health eVillages, the RMF Country Director, and the Executive Director of the Buwate Youth Sports Academy.

Appendix F: The Women's Day celebrations organized at Buwate Sports Academy grounds

(L) Buwate coach Kato organizing the girls for a match. The girl in the brown shirt is Khasifa who got pregnant and dropped out of school; (R) The girls team waiting for instructions from their coach

(L) Buwate coach Kato giving techniques to mothers on how to handle girl children; (R) The girls played against the under-12 boys team of Buwate

The girls in a group photograph with some parents who attended the Women's Day function