The opportunities to choose a way of life vary greatly for Uganda's women: few can decide for themselves, many are totally dependent. All the more remarkable is the large number of women in leadership positions in the partner NGO of CHILDREN A CHANCE / A Chance for Children (ACFC): Five of eight large schools and four of five institutions for the disabled are run by women. The executive director, who now employs 420 people, is 36-year-old Betty Nabulimu.

Many of these capable women have already been supported by ACFC in their own education. Betty, for example, came to ACFC through her younger sister, whose schooling was funded by the organization. But because she had already completed her own schooling, Betty first found a job as a matron at the school boarding school, and then, following that, she was funded to complete a stdium to become a social worker. After successfully graduating, "I was lucky" because the position of cashier was just becoming available. "I was happy to get such an opportunity. Many of my colleagues had been looking for work for a long time, even though they had successfully graduated."

Betty was capable and ambitious, working her way up as the right-hand woman to the chairman of the Ugandan organization of Children an Opportunity and learning the management basics.  When the association and organization management were separated, she took the plunge to become a manager herself. "I was only in my mid-20s and there were enough who thought 'she's too young.' But it's also a matter of confidence and how you acquire a position like that. The first year was not easy, but my colleagues* saw my consistency, my strictness and accepted me."  Betty sees the most important task of the managing director as not just being told what to do, not just agreeing on goals. Above all, she says, it is important to check whether what has been jointly agreed is being implemented. And if not, what the causes are. 

Today, the mother of four is the most "European" CEO in the entire organization. "Stefan Pleger and Gabi Ziller were my teachers," she says modestly. She regularly travels to all districts, visits schools, facilities for the disabled and workshops. She chairs numerous meetings, motivates teachers at workshops, and checks that those in need are really being supported. A good manager alone at the top is not enough, of course, she says. It depends a lot on the team, on good cooperation with the school principals, social workers and workshop managers.

How difficult is it for her personally to reconcile work and family? It's not always easy, says Betty. When she's out of town, meetings take longer, or she gets stuck in the field due to rain. "But I have helping hands - my husband supports me, my sister helps take care of the youngest, and my maid, who has been with me for 8 years, also helps a lot. It's comforting just to know that the kids are well taken care of when I'm out of town." And how often does she see her children herself? "I make time for them especially on the weekends!"

Asked how she feels about the importance of A Chance for Children in central Uganda, her eyes light up and she gushes, "ACFC has provided education to countless children over the past 15 years, especially those most in need who otherwise would not have had a chance at education. And what I highly credit the organization for, and for which I am infinitely grateful, is that it pays attention to quality education. For those who don't manage to finish school, we offer vocational training - be it for carpenters, shoemakers, tailors or well diggers." This is because the organization also encourages girls in particular to learn skilled trades.

"But what I am particularly proud of, and what I consider to be the heart of our organization, is our work with the disabled," says Betty Nabulimu. First, few other organizations offer equal opportunities and integration of disabled and non-disabled children. And if they do, it's in the capital city or at horrendous school fees. "Before our work, many impaired children were hidden at home, not being supported or educated in any way. At ACFC, they receive education, therapy and other forms of support so that they can lead as self-determined a life as possible. In this way, parents and neighbors also learn that even the impaired can achieve very good results. It wasn't until 2022 that the first physically disabled person achieved a First Level Degree in a mainstream school." When Betty talks about disability work or the school successes of children from the poorest backgrounds, pride and enthusiasm ring out of every word.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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