Deposit Protection Fund donates vocational items worth UGX 21,717,420 to Nyakibale Lower Primary School – June 27, 2023

It is generally acknowledged that children are among the vulnerable members in any community. Even more so, children with special needs are more vulnerable, considering the challenges associated with their day to day lives. Nyakibale Lower Primary School is found in Rukungiri District and from 1994 to-date, the school has supported over 300 children with disabilities to access both formal and vocational education. These children include those with physical handicaps, speech difficulty and hearing impairments as well as those with multiple impairments.

Children with special needs seldom have access and facilitation to learn skills that will enable them to live better and dignified lives. It was on this premise therefore, that the Deposit Protection Fund of Uganda (DPF), through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, supported Nyakibale Lower Primary School with vocational items worth UGX 21,217,420. The items included six (6) knitting machines, five hundred (500) knitting threads, fifty (50) bottles of machine oil, three hundred (300) needles and two (2) metallic cases for safe custody. The items were handed over by Mr. Patrick Onen Ezaga – DPF Director Communications, who represented Mrs. Julia Clare Olima Oyet – DPF Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Patrick Ezaga (DPF – Director Communications) shaking hands with Sister Bonny Atuhairwe (In-charge Special Needs Section) during the handover of the vocational items. Pupils from the Special Needs Section, members of the School’s Management and the Clergy witnessed the handover.

In her speech delivered by Mr. Ezaga, the DPF Chief Executive Officer noted that with the introduction of the new school curriculum which lay emphasis on developing the skills of learners, it was the Fund’s hope that the items delivered would contribute to alleviating the challenge of instruction materials faced by the school. She observed that DPF’s donation would contribute to improvement in the future livelihood of the individuals first, their families and the community by extension.

Mr. Patrick Ezaga (standing) delivering the CEO’s remarks at the event. He informed guests about the mandate of the Fund and encouraged them to always transact with formal or recognized financial institutions.

Sister Bonny Atuhairwe, the In-Charge of the Special Needs Section at the school appreciated DPF for supporting the vulnerable children. She noted that the Special Needs Section focused on vocational skills training for the children in the areas of tailoring, crocheting, shoemaking and craft making. These, she said, complimented the main curriculum. She further noted that the donation would contribute to a meaningful life to the disadvantaged children who are often denied education by their parents and guardians.

Sister Bonny Atuhairwe while delivering her remarks.

The Guest of Honor, who represented His Grace the Bishop, Fr. Silverio Twinomugisha, Parish Priest of Nyakibale Parish – Kabale Diocese commended DPF for supporting the school, a gesture he said was a show of commitment to uplifting of the children. He counselled the Management of the school to take good care of the donated items so that they can benefit a considerable number of children in the years to come.