Uganda: Buwate Sports Academy

(L) Food, football boots and balls; (R) Sugar, posho, beans, rice, cooking oil and balls for the children

Summary of RMF/MTCF-sponsored activities carried out during the reporting period:

• In the fourth quarter of the year, since it is also the last term of the year, children are typically engaged in school activities such as national exams and internal exams, especially those in candidate classes, and many concentrate more on studies accordingly. Because of that, we had fewer programs in the Sports Academy in the course of the fourth quarter.
• We are delighted that two of our sponsored children graduated at the top of their class to primary level and six children sat for their primary leaving examination: Betty Kabalungi, Kirabo Claire, Wasswa Ivan Luzinda, Musenero Collins, Kenneth Tibandekwa, and Bernard Banata. One student also sat for the Uganda Certificate examination – Nakalanzi Hafswa.

• The Independence Program, which was held on the 9^th of October 2014 and was organized on the Gayaza Primary School playgrounds, was the children’s talent exhibition in sports. Buwate Sports Academy was part of this talent exhibition, and our children did very well in the games including football, netball and football for girls. Our children gained the exposure to and interacted with the children from high-income households in this most expensive school.
• On the 18^th of December 2014, we had a competition program for the under-twelve age bracket at Kireka playground. This was a difficult but friendly game; the children exhibited the skills they have acquired with us so far and at the end of the match we managed to win the game with a 4-1 score.
• “The Women Empowerment” program, a program for girls, took place in Namasuuba on the 30^th of December 2014. The Buwate girls’ team played against the Namasuba girls’ united team and the match ended with a 2-1 win in favor of Buwate.
• We also organized a Christmas Cup Holiday Program on the 16^th of December 2014. Although this program had the highest percentage of grown up students (older than 17), the children from the Sports Academy also showed off their skills and what they had learned from their coaches.  Many of the teams were amazed and challenged by how well the children played, and admired the great coordination and unity they had during the matches. While the children played well, the other teams won due to a significant age difference.
• During these various programs the Sports Academy children were always encouraged to focus on education so they can have good careers and become strong future leaders of Uganda.
• The Academy transported children to play with other children outside Buwate for the friendly Independence Game at Gayaza Primary School, the friendly Namasuuba Game, the Christmas Holiday Cup program in Kira and the Kireka under 12 programs.
• School fees were paid by RMF/MTCF for 40 sponsored children.
• Food was purchased for the children in the Sports Academy, namely rice, maize flour, and cooking oil.
• During various trainings and other sporting activities the children are always served a meal.
• Wages for the two cooks were paid on time every month in this quarter, thanks be to RMF/MTCF.
• We also bought pairs of football boots and 20 balls for the children in the Academy.

Results and/or accomplishments achieved during this reporting period:

• The children participated in a number of organized games this quarter, namely the Independence Game, Christmas Holiday Cup in Kira, and the Namasuuba friendly match, which was a tie game, that taught our children how to deal with their emotions.
• The children were exposed to teams above their age group, during the Christmas Holiday Cup for example, which helped them to gain a lot of self-confidence.
• Our Sports Academy candidates completed their national examinations.
• The Academy bought food, charcoal and cooking oil.
• The Academy bought football boots and balls.
• School fees for 40 children were paid.
• Wages for the cooks were paid.

Appendix: Photos

Appendix A

The 9th October 2014 Independence Program at Gayaza Primary School:

(L) Buwate Sports Academy boys with the Gayaza Primary School boys team; (R) Both teams in action

Appendix B

The Christmas Holiday Cup program at Kira sports grounds

(L) Boys from the Buwate Sports Academy — Kireka team; (R) Buwate Sports Academy Kireka Team and Kira United Team

(L) Above in the middle is the RMF Area Coordinator with both teams before kickoff; (R) The boys share in some challenges during the match

Appendix C

(L) Children setting off from Buwate to Kireka; (R) A group photograph with one of the boys from the Kireka team in back

(L) One of the volunteer coaches, Pauletta, giving instructions to the children; (R) The children pose with the visiting team before the match
(L) As a mother, the RMF Area Coordinator encourages the children to work hard; (R) Time for food! After all of the sporting activities children always enjoy food prepared for them

Appendix D

(L) Buwate girls on arrival at Namasuuba sports grounds; (R) Girls dressing for the match

(L) The team poses for a group photograph; (R) Teams from Buwate (green jerseys) and Namasuuba United

(L) Girls in action; (R) Girls ready for the ball swing into serious action