International Women's Day 2012 in Bujagali Falls, Uganda

As International Women’s day approached this year, I wanted to do something for the women of Bujagali Falls. I could not let this day go by without recognizing the incredible women of this village- it’s all about the women, the women are the backbone of society and they are what makes the village run.

S.O.U.L. supports over 250 women in the Bujagali Falls area.  The day before Women’s Day, we had 54 women at our tailoring meeting and I announced the idea of having a women’s netball tournament.  The idea of having a sports tournament just hit me and I knew that it was the right way to celebrate the women in our community.  I wanted to do something different and give them a chance to take time off, time when they didn’t have to think about their kids or cooking or cleaning.  These women range from 20 to 75 years old, all with different skills, some with 2 babies, some with 11 or even 12.  They are women who cook and clean and wash and learn new skills with S.O.U.L. all day long and they never get to express their inner child and just have fun! So I said, “what do you guys think of having a netball tournament?” They screamed and yelled and chanted and danced in approval, so I said, “It’s on!”

I wasn’t sure if we would have a great turnout or not, but as soon as 3 o’ clock came around women started arriving in packs. Since S.O.U.L. Foundation has been in the village, women here have learned to work together.  They used to garden alone, wash their clothes alone- caught in a survival of the fittest mentality.  Now they all do things together.  Because our programs really focus on teamwork, they have realized that more people are better than one and that they can go to their friends for help and support.

We prepared the nets and the chalk on the field and as we did this, 50…60…70… 80 women showed up along with hundreds of kids.  Then the elders started coming, saying, ‘I’m here to watch the netball tournament!’ Even people at the river were talking about it, it was the biggest thing in Bujagali and the women were so proud, saying, “yes! Today is our day!” I made a speech talking about how important it is that the women know how important they are and feel empowered and feel respected and know the importance of their role in society.  That was the focus of the day and the women came and we had three and a half hours of the most incredible netball and football games EVER! 

The women were on the ground dodging balls, screaming, chanting, keeping score and fighting over points and I could tell it was such a needed escape for them. Afterwards we brought out cookies and juice and the women didn’t expect anything, they thought it was just the game, so they felt even more special. I just wanted to keep doing more for the women, so I went in my donation pile and brought out everything I had.  I called each woman by name and each one came up to get a shirt, or a skirt or a purse. When the women accepted their gifts they put them on and danced and serenaded the group.  Some of the women made speeches about what the day had meant to them, how it was the best day of their life and it had changed the way the see themselves. I could really tell how S.O.U.L. Foundation has had an impact on their lives and made them feel empowered and given them skills so they don’t have to rely on their husbands, and they understood that it was their day, and not only on International Women’s day, they are now empowered to feel like they are in control of every day and in control of their own lives.  It was a great day, and a truly incredible experience.  

By Brooke Stern, Co-Founder and CEO 

Three Moments that Changed my Life: S.O.U.L. Uganda Makes my Dreams Come True

Hello everyone!!

Well my name is SAFA LWABAGA, 22 years of age from BUJAGALI, UGANDA, EAST AFRICA and why not AFRICA in general.

Currently I am pursuing a diploma in JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION in KAMPALA at UMCAT school of Journalism.

I am from a family of 8 members with 2 brothers, 3 sisters and guess what? I’m the 1^st born!!  In Africa the 1^st born is referred to as the “Real Child” because we think that parents are still faithful to each other and therefore chances of cheating on the hubby are limited!!!!!!!! So are you the 1^st born?? Comments reserved for the next publication! Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You all know life is not a smooth terrain but rather filled with ups and downs that every human being is entitled to pass through no matter who you are and where you are from. But my caution is “Never Let the Negativities Faze on you.”

Whatever you are going to read here is success achieved through ALLAH (GOD), S.O.U.L. and MY PARENTS.  I swear without the above, SAFA would be a hundred miles away from where I am right now.  That’s why I big up my chest every single day.

So as a human too, 2011 unfolded both negatives and positives in my life but to begin with are the most spectacular and splendid three moments and, to be honest, these all left me “zero-worded.” I kept asking myself am I dreaming? Is it me, Safa? OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1: BECOMING ONE OF THE S.O.U.L. SPONSORED STUDENTS!!!!!!!!!

If I could turn back the clock of time, for sure I would LOVE to see that stunning moment appear again in my life. I am a very talkative lad, cracking jokes is what I do best but I was left shut, amazed!! I couldn’t talk for the next couple of minutes and later filled with tears of joy. OMG I couldn’t believe S.O.U.L. had given me the opportunity to achieve my education, career and more so, my dream. I was overwhelmed by the words from my sponsor and the S.O.U.L. staff.

To drive you a little back, I had completed my high school studies in 2009 and therefore was supposed to be joining University the following year. But as wishes are not horses, I took a dead year off thinking I could work and save money together with my family so as to accomplish my studies. This was all in vain as I failed to get a job during vacation!!! I lost hope and felt the world was against me.

It was in mid May that my life terrain noticed some ups when I started volunteering at S.O.U.L., being available at all times needed. This was followed by a run of splendid performances as a volunteer coordinator.

The happiest moment of this all was when my friend and S.O.U.L. volunteer Danielle returned to Uganda the following year with a sponsor for me and passed the news to me that they are now ready to sponsor me! What???!! I replied in shock! But they told me to keep this a secret from my parents because they wanted to surprise them. I called my family members that S.O.U.L. has invited them to a dinner at the S.O.U.L. SHACK! Wow no one knew what was going to happen and here came the moment to remember! Daddy Kenny, Danielle, Brooke, and my sponsor Suzie all stood up and informed my family that they are sponsoring me to university the next fall. Damn!!!!!!! I remember watching my dad kneel down thanking S.O.U.L. in tears of joy, mama was just a feet away from collapsing and just like I explained my situation before, that was the kind of mood in the house! BIG UP TO S.O.U.L.!!!

2: MEETING MY UGANDAN FOOTBALL HERO, DAVID OBUA

As I write this, I still don’t believe it was me, SAFA, with this guy talking like it is you and me. Tell you what? It was an exhausting day in Kampala with Danielle and Brooke as I had gone to research on what University to undertake lectures from and also purchase sewing machines for the women’s Tailoring project. 

At dinner as we were discussing what had happened earlier that day and there entered a tall, dark skinned guy putting on a hat and glittering pins on both ears. Is this David? I asked myself, he must be David Obua! You know I was used to watching him live on TV so I wasn’t sure if he was real. I told Brooke and Danielle that the guy up there is Uganda’s best footballer. “Are you serious?” Danielle asked, “Who he is? Where he does play his soccer from? Why he is in the country now?”

Without hesitation Danielle and Brooke stood up and said that they were going to make my dream come true, they approached David’s table narrating how I knew him, and how he is my hero and so on. He there and then ordered them to bring me to his table.  WOW if you guys were present you would really see how Danielle and Brooke rushed to me, “Safa! Safa! Safa!!!” They shouted, “See what is happening to you now, your dream is coming true now, stand up and lets go!” Danielle and Brooke screamed loud. 

OMG! Here was David Saying, “Hey Safa!” Hey David! Nice to meet you! I gave him a chest hug like I knew him before. Have a sit he said. We had a 30 minutes interaction with him and exchanged digits. He said to me, “I can’t believe you analyze every step I make in my career.” I could not believe I was saving his number in my contacts. Damn!

Amazing above all was the moment when he offered me a free trip with the rest of the National team Uganda Cranes to watch a live game at the National stadium Nambole in the V.I.P. stands and guess what?? In the stands with me was the Vice President of Uganda, Gilbert Bukenya.

I was seated in the Cranes bus with all these other professionals on the National team, having a hand shake with all of them in escort of the Police patrol at the back and front. For sure I still don’t think it was SAFA who got this golden opportunity to hang around with these boys especially when the population of Uganda has hit 38 millions. But who is SAFA from a remote village of BUJAGALI to even share dinner on the same table with the Crane’s team? Wow Big up to S.O.U.L. and particularly here Brooke and Danielle. LONG LIVE S.O.U.L.!!!!!!!!

3: BALE FRANCIS A.K.A THE LEGEND IS MY LECTURER!!!!!!!!

Some of you are now asking who the hell this guy is but for sure he is a legend in the Uganda Media industry. Baale Francis is Uganda’s best news anchor the country has ever had. I used to watch this guy when I was young on TV newscast and listen to him on radio. He works for the national station in the name of UGANDA BROADCASTING CORPORATION.

Well the story is that I adore this guy like crazy. He is my biggest inspiration when it comes to Journalism. I remember one time saying, “when will I ever get to meet him point blank?” But on my first day and lecture at school on 5^th September 2011, there was Baale Francis standing in front of the lecture room saying, “good evening ladies and gentlemen.” Wow! S.O.U.L. making everything HAPPEN.

NOTE: Whatever you have heard from my story is 90% S.O.U.L. success.

Thanks to my sponsor SUZIE a.k.a. KP for supporting me out. I CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

I dedicate this story to my S.O.U.L. family. 

I DO IT  ALL FOR S.O.U.L..

BY: LWABAGA SAFA, Volunteer Coordinator and S.O.U.L. sponsored student 

A Volunteer's Experience: Four Weeks that Changed my Life Forever

Jitters, nerves, excitement and anticipation—so many feelings running through my body as I boarded a plane from Nairobi to Entebbe. I knew I wanted to go to Uganda during my stay in Kenya, but I had no idea I would fall in love with a country and its people.

As a university student from the states (St. Lawrence University, Canton NY), I was studying abroad in Kenya when I approached Brooke about coming to volunteer with S.O.U.L. for a month in April. Part of my semester involves an independent study whereby students research an organization and eventually spend a month with that organization volunteering and learning. After constant emailing back and forth, my school approved of my stay with S.O.U.L.

I arrived in Bujagali not really knowing what to expect. I knew I was going to be near the Nile River and in a village working with locals, but I did not realize how incredible my life would be for the next four weeks. When I finally arrived at S.O.U.L. I stepped out of the car and received the biggest embrace from my host mother (Mama Robina) and immediately, both of my arms were consumed by children—I knew I was going to love it here.

Having a bit of experience living in Africa and traveling throughout Kenya (I arrived in Kenya in January, so by the time April came I was feeling a bit more immersed in African life), my time in Uganda topped my entire journey in Kenya. I would call home once a week to check-in with my family and my parents could tell from the tone of my voice how excited and happy I sounded. Every day was filled with smiles, laughter and adventure—my face has never hurt so much from smiling and laughing. Each night, I could not wait to wake up for the next day, eager to see what Bujagali and S.O.U.L. had in store for me. Being around my age-mates (Oko, Safa and Muganda), I learned so much about life in Bujagali and life in Uganda—it was a true cultural experience and I wish I could have stayed for 10 months (or even forever—paka paka paka)! 

The best part about my experience was undoubtedly the people—I may have been over 7000 miles from home, but I have never felt more at home than during my stay in the village. My best friends consisted of 10, 12 and 13 year old boys. Every night I would hang around the S.O.U.L. shack with so many kids from the village. I joined in their football matches (even though I am HORRIBLE) just so they could laugh at me. Eventually, I was the receiver of mangos and bananas- children would sneakily hand me something they picked for me. I even received my own Lusoga name: Nakato (first-born twin since I happen to have a twin brother). I have never felt so happy in my life and I could not imagine leaving these beautiful people.

When the children went on holiday, I partook in some of the hardest work I’ve ever done: the making of mud balls. I traveled to the fishpond project in Naminya and worked alongside so many KANYAMAS (strong men). I absolutely loved it—mud smeared all over my hands, sweat dripping down my face. During my last week with S.O.U.L., the fourth pond was finished and filled with water and tilapia—it was such an accomplishment and I felt so fortunate to have been a part of something that will improve the lives of a community displaced by the construction of a dam.

Returning home each night, I could not help but smile and reflect on the day’s activities. I felt so immersed and so in-touch with Bujagali life (and my Lusoga was slowly but surely improving day-by-day). Although I did take advantage of the recreational activities that the Nile has to offer (such as rafting), the most exciting and happiest times of my stay involved the children and spending time at S.O.U.L. My last Friday in Bujagali was filled with sadness—I kept trying to think of plausible ways to extend my stay—such as giving Oko my passport to hide or throw in the river. And then Saturday came—the day I would return to Kenya. From the moment I awoke, tears drowned my face. I could not help the waterworks from forming and saying goodbye was the hardest task of my life. I did not expect to fall so in love and I definitely left a huge piece of my heart at S.O.U.L. and in the village. I kept telling myself I would return after I finish university (2 more years—over 700 days) in order to ease my sadness. Without a doubt, I do plan on returning. At 20 years old, I don’t know how I’m going to pay back my student loans or what kind of career I’ll have, but I do know that I will be back to Bujagali, back to S.O.U.L.

The happiness I felt at S.O.U.L. could not be replicated anywhere else. Whenever I tell stories about my visit to Uganda, my face lights up and everyone can tell how insanely happy that experience made me. Two years seems like eons away, but I am so so confident that I will return to Bujagali—I cannot picture my life any other way!

I am forever grateful to Brooke and the S.O.U.L. community for welcoming me into their family. I have gained a new set of friends and family members and I think about them every single day. It almost feels like a dream—like I discovered the world’s best-kept secret—the wonderful village of Bujagali Falls. I constantly picture myself with Muganda, Oko and Safa (the boys of Bujagali, my age-mates, my brothers) drowning ourselves in laughter and jokes. I dream of the mornings I walk to S.O.U.L. and hear “Allison-y!” or “Nakato.” And the nighttime walks back to Mama Robinas, the perfect time of day for omulogos (the Bujagali version of the boogie-man). Every moment I shared with these beautiful people remains in my memory—crystal clear. These people have changed my life forever and words cannot express the true happiness and gratitude I feel.

Webule eno eno eno! I love and miss you all!

NAKATO Allison

March 1st, 2012- A Day to Never Forget at the S.O.U.L Birthing Inn/Midwife Center, By Brooke Stern

Today was a remarkable day. A day I could have never planned. A few hours of sheer joy and excitement. A few minutes of heart racing anxiety. A few seconds of uncertainty. An afternoon with an incredible outcome.

As I drove back from my fishpond project site to S.O.U.L.’s main office in the village of Bujagali Falls, I decided to stop in to visit Kalimentina, the local midwife I have been passionately supporting for the past 10 months.

Anyone who knows me, knows about the undying passion and love I have for Kalimentina- a woman in her late 60’s who has been delivering babies since 1974. She is the only midwife in the area and delivers between 5-7 babies per day, thought most of the deliveries take place at night. She is a women filled with incredible energy, kindness, and love. She will tend to women at any time of the day and night, and rarely gets anything in return from the villagers.

When I first visited Kalimentina’s birthing center, the roof was leaking, the door was made of cardboard and the windows were broken. There were no beds. No sheets. No materials or supplies- NOTHING! Devastating to see, S.O.U.L has since redone her roof, installed solar panels to provide electricity, put in 3 brand new iron doors, 3 glass windows, 4 mattresses, a bed frame, locks for her doors, gloves, medical supplies, a water collection system, and painted the inside, which is still the bare minimum.

I arrived at Kalimentina’s around three in the afternoon to find her relaxing on the grass, chatting with some other women. Seeing me pull up, a huge smile spread across her face as she walked to greet me at my car. We began walking to the birthing hut to sit and chat but before we could sit down, a young woman came screaming and running towards us, speaking in the local dialect. Kalimentina, barefooted, and barely dressed, grabbed my arm and pulled me as she started to sprint deep into the village, bushwhacking, and listening to the villagers as they informed her as to what awaited us.

I follow. Her stride gets faster. At this point, I am trailing a 60+ year old, and gasping for air. Kalimentina leads the way as others follow us, anxious to help. Up the hill, around the corner, lying on the red dirt a women suffering in pain comes into view. At this point, we are almost a half-mile away from the birthing center. We circle around her and realize that her water is about to break. We lift her, each on one side, and start sprinting with her down the path, out of breath, as each of her arms drape over us. Her pain increases, so we lay her on the red dirt. Once the pain subsides, she chooses to walk, a testament to the toughness of Ugandan women, and we guide her carefully, but with a fast stride, to Kalimentina’s birthing center.

We make it to the clinic with barely a minute to spare, as her water breaks. The beds are disheveled and still unmade following two deliveries earlier in the day. We grab anything we can- garbage bags as sheets, a plastic bag to put beneath the delivering mother, and one cotton cloth. That’s all there is. Kalimentina gives me her 2nd to last pair of sterile gloves and the adrenaline is high. There is NO pain medicine, as is the case in most Ugandan clinics.

The woman starts screaming “mammmmmaaa, maaaaammmmaa Mzungu (white person).” I rush over to her, helping her through each contraction. She is within minutes of delivering when another women enters the clinic in desperate pain. As Kalimentina tends to her, I realized I needed to improvise and grabbed anything in sight. There are no medical instruments. No sheets. No tourniquet. NOTHING. I grabbed a black garbage bag, put it under the woman, took the package from the gloves and used it to clean the area, used an old glove to act as a tourniquet, and a razor blade to cut the umbilical cord (when the time came).

The contractions got closer together. I called Kalimentina over, but she said this one was all me! I said, “Mama Kalimentina IDA SOW WENA (Mama, come here now, fast).” She reiterated that she only had one more pair of gloves, and it had to be used for the next woman, so I had to do this on my own. She encouraged me, saying, “you already delivered two babies in the past, you can do this!!”

Understanding with my whole being that this was a life or death situation, I sat down between her contractions, and yelled push in the local language over and over. And she did. Kalimentina is quiet and calm and confirms my actions when I feel unsure. She is a soft-spoken, confident woman who knows more than I would have ever expected. With the next contraction, the head started crowning. The screaming got louder, the pain grew, and as the head emerged, I grabbed it and slowly rotated the body, pulling the baby out in a clockwise direction to assure the limbs came out together. I was sweating, the woman was quietly gasping in pain, the mother of the woman in labor was screaming in joy and praising me, as I pulled the baby out!!! The umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck 2 times, and I was terrified. I started to panic. Kalimentina assured me everything was ok. I held the baby in one hand, and unraveled the cord in the other, and within seconds heard that amazing, wonderful, reassuring CRY from the baby. What a relief. A HEALTHY BABY BOY WAS BORN!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Brooke Stern, RN, Co-Founder and CEO

SOUL on ground in Uganda. #4

S.O.U.L stands for Supporting Opportunities for Ugandans to Learn. This doesn't just mean learning in school. This includes learning in all areas. Not only helping the students get into schools, but also to educate the parents on the reason their children should be in schools and not in the fields providing an extra hand. By educating the parents, we are giving their children a greater chance to have the support behind their studies. By teaching the elders, we are giving the men and women opportunities to understand how business works. Help them to figure out that building another soda stand is not a profitable business, but making Mandazi (a morning breakfast bread food) is in demand because there is no one in the village who makes it, and everyone eats it. It is educating the families on how to use their money wisely. The people of Uganda live day to day. It is for survival that they do live. They eat to live, and NEVER live to eat. They don't have a chance to save their money. They aren't educated about even putting away 1,000 Ush (50 cents) per day as that can work to their benefit, when in two weeks they have 14,000 ush saved ($7). They are not IGNORANT. They just don't know. But I can assure you ALL about one thing, they want to learn!

“SOUL will strive to inspire vision, vision will inspire hope,
hope will propel empowerment, empowerment will foster the
pursuit of education, education will provide a pathway to success,
success will lead to sustained economic growth, and sustained
economic growth will perpetuate a sustained emphasis on
education.” Brooke Stern, R.N., B.S.N

Since last writing, SOUL made the biggest XMAS party for Bujugali Falls Village they have ever seen. It started as just an idea and then the word in the village got out, and the turn-out was huge. The role that I played was getting all the children excited about XMAS. Every women in all my women's groups were informed. All the children (161) in my bursar program were notified. Every child in the village became excited as we all awaited this special day. We all know for us, music plays a large part in someone's lives, as music can inspire, motivate, make one happy or sad in a whim. Music may even be more important here as everything is based around music. Celebrations, trajedies, and day to day life. So when everyone found out I was bringing music, they all said we want the "BIG" music. I had no idea what that meant, but let Fauzi the director, take control of that chore. I thought it would be a big boom box. After many days anticipating, the music arrived. It came with a generator, a computer, 2 massive free standing speakers and 2 DJ's. It was incredible.

The night became more than I could have ever expected. Besides music, like anywhere in the world, food is so important. We bought something like 65 KG of rice along with all types of food as the women gathered at mama's house and cooked from 6am to night over STONE fire stoves. We were able to feed about 100 villagers the best meal they have ever received. It was a great feeling to sit back and watch the happiness and joy as we all celebrated being together and the PARTNERSHIP of SOUL to Bujugali Village.

I wasn't prepared to have this music setup. and therefore did not expect to have to speak. In fact, there was a microphone. The CHAIRMAN LOC and defense secretary for the village came to open the night! OMG, what an honor. Elders are so so respected here, and those two men are like royalty in the village. To my surprise, i had the opportunity of having them greet me and accept me into their village with open arms. The word about SOUL must have spread because they felt honored to meet me. Each community has land they try to keep for a project that can benefit the community. I knew about the land as its in a central location, but never even thought at this point to ask.

The night began with the defense secretary opening the evening. He spoke in Lasoga as Fauzi translated for me. The words he said in front of 100-250 people were words I wasn't even sure I deserved. The enthusiasm in his voice as he walked around the crowd, always pointing back to me was mesmorizing. I blushed with sheer certainty that each and every single person in this village is being positvely impacted by SOUL is some way or another. He gave me the nickname "Nabidye", meaning Mother of Many. He expressed that he has never seen a Mzungu (white person) come into the village and have such a high level of interaction with the locals and the kids. So as I now walk or run through the village paths, I no longer hear the children scream "Mzungu, Mzungu, but with a sense of peace, I now hear them all say "Nabidye, Nabidye, Ayotiah!" (My ugandan name then Good Day) or "Mama Africa, Wavilee"! (Mama Africa, WELL DONE!).

I gave a great speech. Lets all remember, I hated pubic speaking my whole life. I always told my mom, I will be able to speak one day when I am really knowlegable about a subject or really passionate about it. I now embrace it and love speaking in front of many. My speech with not prepared, and the microphone was loud as I spoke to not only the one's seated in front of me, but the one's walking down the paths carrying firewood on their head to their homes as they stopped to listen. It was an out of body experience as I had the attention of all and the opportunity to say anything. I spoke of SOUL, I spoke of Hope, I spoke of my personal experience and overcoming people's doubt, that I can really do something like this, and I spoke from the heart. Words I was taught by my parents. Simple words of wisdom that we are all accustomed to hearing, but that they have never heard because the lack of support from the families. I gave them the chance to dream, the opportunity to aspire to something bigger and better for themselves that they can ever imagine. There was a moment of silence as one could witness them take the hands of their loved ones. Some with smiles, some with tears and some who got up and did the Ugandan cheer (WOO, WOO, WOOO) as it synchronized in my ear from 30 women standing and chanting. I told them this party is not for me, this party is for ever one of you!


Then the microphone was taken from MAMA, someone who is so shy, but so happy. She speaks quietly but is loved in the village. She stepped up and began speaking so loud and so fast, I was in awe. Never in a million year would I imagine her to do this. This family protects me, feeds me, teachers me, and embraces me. She spoke words of excitement and courage. Words of inspiration for her fellow friends and invited me to be known forever as her "Eldest daughter" and of course, Nabidye (mother to many). I told them my last words of my favorite quote. "Giving is the best high any one can ever get", so spend each day with the thought of giving a hand to a neighbor or a classmate. You don't need money to GIVE. Help a sick dog, or sick chicken move away from the speeding car coming, pick up rubbish in your village, or simply lend an ear to someone who could use it. SPEND EVERYDAY with this thought in your head and Lets DANCE!!


Wow, the party went off with a boom. The dance floor was crowded, the smiles were large, the laughter was contagious, as I personally realized SOUL is here for the long run!!


I was pulled in 500 directions, but when I got a chance, got to the dance floor. I was the only mzungu there. The men and women, wearing traditional wear were dancing up a storm. The kiddos from age 3 up were shacking, and the older kids were in their glory. Never in my life did I dance as much as I did this night. I moved around and got to each and everyone of the people. There were about 350-400 moving and shaking all night long. Danced from 8pm to 3:30am STRAIGHT with a piece of bread in my hand as I refused to stop and eat. Mama and Ali of course were distraught I wasn't eating and only dancing. They just want to feed feed feed. I snuck out at 3:30a, as I left the party still rolling and booming. It continued to 7:20am. What a night!