Uganda: Buwate Sports Academy

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

• The Sports Academy was able to conduct vacation programmes, especially during the month of August since the children were home for their vacation. Several sports trainings were conducted.
• Four Sports Academy coaches were facilitated to attend a 3-week training with World Play Project. After the training they were gifted 100 balls which they delivered to Buwate Sports Academy.
• The Sports Academy is continuing with the tailoring training programme. This is an initiative of imparting livelihood skills to the members.
• During this reporting period the Academy organized the “Peace One Day Game” for the children at the Academy. This event is usually held on the 21^st of September every year according to the United Nations calendar. This event is intended to encourage world sports clubs to play and generate funds for peace building in the world alongside bringing people together. 
• The Academy transported children for friendly matches outside of the Buwate field.
• The Academy members who are in candidate classes are preparing for their end-of-year national examinations. The Academy has a total number of 17 candidates in primary seven and secondary school.
• 65 Children under sponsorship had their school fees cleared for the third term so that they can study without interruption.
• Children in the Academy were given scholastic materials.
• Children were fed well during trainings and tournaments.
• The Academy purchased a digital camera to take photos for report and filing purposes.
• Incentive payments for the support staff were timely and promptly paid during the reporting period.
• The Academy purchased sports supplies such as socks, bibs, playing boots and stands for the sewing machines.
• Food for the children in the Sports Academy was provided (rice, maize flour, cooking oil) during training and other sports activities. This is a way of keeping the children healthy as well as motivating them to continue to come to trainings. In addition, during outside sports activities children were served meals.
• Wages for the two cooks were paid.

Results and/or accomplishments achieved during this reporting period:

• Organized football trainings for selected schools within the Academy catchment area
• The Academy participated in a number of organized sports events such as the “Peace One Day Game”.
• The Academy participated in various vacation matches organized in Buwate, Kira and Kireka, the suburbs of Kampala.
• Bought food, charcoal and cooking oil for the Academy.
• Bought playing boots and pairs of socks.
• School fees for 65 children in Academy were paid.
• Promptly and timely paid the incentives for support staff members.
• Wages for two cooks were paid.
• Bought and distributed scholastic materials for children.
• Purchased a canon digital camera for the Sports Academy to improve on reports.
• Sustaining the children undergoing tailoring training; all plans are underway to ensure that they finish the training. .
• The Sports Academy received a donation of 100 balls from One World Play Project – an organization that promotes sports activities worldwide. Buwate shared these balls with other sports academies and schools such as; Clive College Kireka, Morona High School, Standard High Zana, Buwate Catholic and Buwate Church of Uganda Schools, Nakasajja Mukono School, Hope Children School, Vega Light Sports Academy, Super heroes Mulago, Kira Sports Academy and Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.

Impact this project has on the community (who is benefiting and how):

• Buwate Sports Academy has created publicity for the area. Buwate used not to be known but gradually is becoming a popular place with great hope that this popularity will attract social services from the government and other development partners.
• The project is contributing to illiteracy reduction not only in Buwate but in Uganda as a whole.
• The project has united the community; for instance the secular youth and the church are working together.
• The Academy is also beginning to network with other sports agencies such as the One World Play Project.
• The Academy has become a platform for civic education and health sensitization.
• There’s an increase in the number of children who come for trainings both during weekend, vacation and holiday time; this is an indication that the Academy is building confidence in the community.
• Through gatherings, youths have been receiving various counseling which is promoting behavior change. Some parents have come to testify that their children’s behaviors have changed positively.
• The program has promoted gender equality, for instance the community had a mentality that soccer is only for boys/men but now they see girls exhibiting excellent skills; this is helping to promote an attitude change.
• The bond of friendship between Buwate and RMF has grown tremendously.
• Boys and girls who had low self-esteem have had their esteem boosted because of working together. For instance some boys and girls who could not put their opinion across now can speak out.
• There is now spontaneous participation from the youth because they see real hope in the Academy activities.
• There is now a strong bond of friendship between the parents of the children in the Academy, which is seen in the large number of parents who come to cheer and encourage their children.
• There’s a great degree of concentration on studies amongst the children in the Academy, this has improved because the Academy upholds education. This is achieved because RMF is paying school fees in time and is availing scholastic materials.
• English version bibles donated to the Academy have enabled the church to begin an English service.
• The politicians and opinion leaders have developed interest in the Academy activities. This is manifested in frequent visits they pay to the Academy office.

Notable project challenges and obstacles:

• The tailoring project still lacks funding and yet many members are eager to join the tailoring training program.
• We are still lacking an Academy house. The Academy needs a home to keep its property, i.e. all the sporting equipment, changing rooms, which greatly hinders the full recognition of the Academy.
• The very poor children who need school fees are still more than the available funding. There is need to add more funding for the education sector.
• The playground is not up to the standard of obtaining perfection, i.e. it is not well leveled to meet the minimum standard of a sports house.
• Food is also not enough especially during the vacation period when many children turn up for training.
• Lack of an Academy van to transport the children for activities outside the Academy is still a notable challenge. Hiring is expensive for every trip.
• The recent inflation that the country is experiencing is always depleting the funding received from RMF/MTCF quickly.
• Difficulties in accessing health care. It requires walking over 5km to reach the nearest government health facilities.