Justine Nakate

Nze (I am)  Justine Nakate. I have five children, two boys and three girls.  They are 1 year to 27 years old.   Three of my children completed some course work after Secondary School.  One is in Secondary school now.   My daughter is diabetic and has high blood pressure. The income I earn from basket weaving allows me to pay for her medications and pay her tuition.  I am so happy to be able to afford these medications and to keep  moving forward for my children.  I have been in the Basket Coop for 2 years.  I would love to hear from you, to learn about your life in America, and to hear how you like your new basket. “Weebale Nnyo” Thank you very much!

Ruth Namata

Tukusanyukidde (Welcome!)  I am Ruth Namata. I have three children, two boys and one girl from 6 -13 years old.   My husband is a farmer.  Our children attend the public school.  I have been in the Basket Coop for 2 years.  My income allowed us to purchase a home, we are so happy that we no longer have to rent.  I was able to buy roofing for our home and some piglets to rear.  Our home is very close to the Women’s Center.

Celemensia Nakagimu

My name is Celemensia. I have seven children that range in age from 2.5 years to 23.  My 23-year-old son has gone to technical school to be a welder.  I have  two children in St Bahkita Secondary school, one is sponsored – Sylvia Nakibule.   I also have one child in P1 at the Primary School – Gerald Ntale.   I am able to pay most of the school fees and and requirements for her children.   I was able to build a second home to rent out for extra income.  I was able to pay to have the house constructed myself!  I am able to care for my family with the help of Hope for Kabingo.   “Tunaalabagana” See you later!

Regina Nambuusi

Nze (I am) Regina Nambuusi. I am 23 years old and am one of the youngest women in the Basket Coop.  I have been in the Basket Coop for two years.  I am so grateful to the older women in the group who taught me to weave and how to take care of myself.   My husband and I have three children ranging from 1.5 – 9 yrs.  One of our children is in preschool (middle) and is sponsored – in the HFK Education Program.  My income from Basket Weaving allows me to help take care of my mother and my widowed sister and her family.   “Mweraba” Goodbye to everyone! 

Justine Nalubega

My name is Justine Nalubega. My husband is a farmer, we have 6 children ranging in age from 9 months to 16 years.  With income from my baskets, I am able to pay one students Primary School tuition and her other school requirements.  I am so blessed to have 3 of my other children sponsored through Hope for Kabingo.  My husband and I farms to raise:  matoke, maize, beans and Irish (white) potatoes to sell.  We were able to buy a solar panel for our home.  “Weebale” (Thank you)  for helping me provide for my family.

Judith Nakatongole

Tukusanyukidde (Welcome!)  I am Judith Nakatongole. I have seven children, five boys and two girls ranging from 7 – 25 years.  I am married to a farmer.  I have one child in University and one child in Secondary school and I am able to pay their school fees.    I also have four younger in school as well.   I am so happy that I am able to pay the school fees.  I have been in the Basket Coop for 2 years, before that I could hardly find school fees – it is so good to help my children.

Ivon Nakayiki

Nze (I am) Ivon Nakayiki,  Fr. Richard Kyankaaga’s mother.    Some call me the “mother of the village”.  I have 5 children who are all grown and educated. I am grateful that I have been able to help many of the other women learn how to weave the baskets. I have been in the Basket Coop for 5 years.  Njagala (I like) to help take care of other relatives and villagers.  We often have a house full!  I am so happy to be able to help others now. 

Justine Namugambe

My name is Justine Namugambe.   My four girls and one son range from 1 to 11 years.  I am married to a farmer.  I have been in the cooperative for 4 years. My basket money has helped me pay my children’s school fees and buy materials to finish my home.  I am so proud that it is “so smart” (looks nice). 

Resty Nikimuli

Ki kati! (Hi!) My name is Resty Nikimuli.  I have four girls and three boys ranging from 17 – 34years.  I am a single mother.  Three of my children are in school and are being sponsored by HFK.  I have been in the Basket Coop for 11 years, with my income I have been able to buy a new roof for her home and get bricks to begin building a new home.  I pray that the coop continues so I am able to finish my new home.  I donate a piece of my land to the St Bahkita Primary School teachers to farm to grow vegetables to eat.  I am very proud that I am able to take care of myself and her children with the support of HFK!

Resty Namusoke

My name is Resty Namusoke. I have three children, two boys and one girl ranging in age from 1 ½  to 19 years.  I am married to a farmer.  I have been in the Basket Coop for two years, I am very grateful to be able to pay my children’s tuition in Secondary School.  “I am just so happy. Thank you for helping me provide for my family.” Mweraba (Farewell)  

Resty Nanyonjo

Muli mutya (Hello), I am Resty Nanyonjo.    I have nine children, five boys and four girls ranging from 7 – 34 yrs.  My husband is a farmer.  I have been in the Basket Coop for five years, with the ‘Senti’ (Money) that I earn I am able to pay the school fees for the five children that are in school.  We can get the basic needs for our home, purchase fertilizers for our garden and pay workers to help with the gardens. I am so happy and proud that I, as a woman, can do all these things.  “Weebale Nnyo” (Thank you very much)!

Prossy Namwogerere

“Tukusanyukidde” (Welcome) My name is Prossy Namwogerere.   I have five children, two boys and three girls ranging from 4 months – 10 years old.  My husband is a Primary School teacher in a nearby village.  I am one of the founding members of the Basket Cooperative in 2008, 11 years ago!  I have three children in St. Bakhita Primary School.  I am able to pay our children’s school fees, buy a plot of land and necessities for our home – such as a linoleum floor, silverware, dishes and several mattresses.  I am so happy and proud that I am able to pay our children’s schools fees because it would hurt to have to see your daughter at home because you cannot pay her school fees.  I am proud to be able to contribute to the family.  “Tunaalabagana” See you later

Annette Nakabende

Ki kati (Hi) Oli otya? (How are you?) My name is Annette Nakabende.   I am the current Chair Woman of the Woman’s Basket Cooperative. I have been in the coop for five years.   I have eleven children, nine girls and two boys, with one set of twins!   My husband is a farmer.  We are very proud that all of our children have gone to school.  We have three children that are being sponsored by HFK.  I am happy to be able to contribute to the care of my family and provide the basics at home such as mattresses and utensils.  We work hard but it is good to see the results!

Harriet Nabaggala

Tukusanyukidde (Welcome) My name is Harriet Nabaggala.   I am the Treasurer of the Women’s Cooperative.  I have four children, three girls and one boy ranging from 2 – 17 years.  My husband is a Mulimi (farmer).   I have been in the Basket Coop for 11 years.   The extra income has helped to buy new land where we are planting eucalyptus trees to sell the wood.  I was able to new home for my family.  I am proud because of all that I have been able to do in my life.  I am happy that life is now OK. Thank you for helping me provide for my family.

Jascent Babirye

My name is Jascent Babirye, some call me the ‘mobilizer’ for the Women’s Basket Cooperative.  I have been working in the Coop for 5 years. I have four children, three girls and two boys ranging from 14 – 19 years.  My husband is a farmer.  The money from my basket sales has helped us in so many ways!   I was able to pay the children’s tuition, buy a solar panel and doors for my home, and a plot of land.  I am so happy to be able to support my family, I never expected to be able to do this in my life.  I am so thankful that my children are able to go to school.  Siiba bulungi! (Have a nice day)

Immaculate Namazzi

Ki kati! (Hi!) My name is Immaculate Namazzi, the Vice Chair Woman of the Women’s Basket Cooperative.  I have nine children, four girls and five boys, ranging in age from 3 – 21.  My husband is a farmer.  With the opportunity to be in the Basket Coop I have been able to pay tuition fees, buy a plot of land to plant eucalyptus trees, build a storage room to keep yields, purchase PIC bags to lengthen the time the food will last in storage and build a pig sty.  I am so happy to have been able to look after my children and pay their school fees.

pay their school fees.

Toepista Nansubuga

Nze (I am) Toepista Nansubuga.   I am married with five children; two boys, three girls and one on the way!  Three of my children are students at St. Bakhita, two in the primary school and one in secondary school.  My daughter, Agnes, is a sponsored student in P5.   I have been working in the coop for 8 years.  It has enabled me to pay tuition for two of my children, and cement to cover and protect the outside of our brick home.  I am so proud that I have been able to put some money into my husband’s business. 

Pascazia Nampijja

Tukusanyukidde” (Welcome) My name is Pascazia Nampijja.  I am married and have five children – two boys and three girls ranging from 2 – 14 years old.  I have been in the basket coop for 11 years.  Because of the income I have been able to earn I have managed to build a home for my family, buy a plot of land to plant more matoke (cash crop) and pay my children’s school fees.  I am the happiest of all the women in the coop because I am able to survive way above a level that I ever imagined.  Life is good (she says with a big smile).

Teddy “Rose” Nambajjo

Ki kati? (Hi) Oli otya? (How are you) I am Teddy “Rose” Nambajjo.  I am married and have two children, one boy and one girl.  My baby girl is 10 months old and my son is three years old.   With my share of the Basket Coop income I have been able to buy a house for my family and avoid renting. My husband and I were able to buy another plot of land to improve our gardening.  I am so happy to be able to to this with my husband because he loves to work in the garden!

Cissy Namuli

My name is Cissy Namuli.   Ndi musanyufu (I am happy) to be a teacher at St. Bakhita Secondary School!   I teach Religious Education and Lugandan to the S1- S6 students.  I am married to a farmer and have one child who is two years old.  I have also been able to work in the Basket Coop for three years.  It helps me pay school fees for my siblings and help some of my relatives.  I am so glad that I am able to give my siblings a hand to achieve their dreams.

Gertrude Nampeera

I am Gertrude Nampeera, I teach Economics and Commerce at St. Bahkita in grades S1 and S4 – S6.  The money I earn working in the Basket Co-op helps me care for my parents Weebale Nnyo (Thank you very much) for this opportunity !  I have also started a “hen house” business where I raise 200 layers (chickens that produce eggs).  They produce eggs for one year and then can be sold for consumption. I am so grateful for my work both as a teacher and as basket weaver.

Ruth Namayanja

Muli mutya (Hello) I am Ruth Namayanja, a single mother with four children; three boys and one girl ranging in age from 8 to 18.  My youngest is studying at St. Bakhita Primary School.  I have been recently been struggling to recover with a health issue, and am happy that I am able to continue my work with the Basket Coop.   I have been able to put up a small home with with a small shop inside, purchase household items and pay my children’s school fees.  Supporting my family is my main mission and I am so happy to have the Sente (money) from my basket weaving to help us through.

Prossy Nakakawa

My name is Prossy Nakakawa.   My husband and I are separated, we have three girls ranging from 8 – 1 8 years old.  My two oldest children live with my husband and my youngest daughter lives with me. I have been able to “put up” (build) my home and purchase a plot of land to garden to provide for me and my daughter.  I am very proud that I have been able to provide for my daughter.  Weebale Nnyo (Thank you very much) for your support!

Annet Nakalanzi

I am Annet Nakalanzi.   I am a single mother with three children; two boys and one girl ranging from 4 – 12 years old.  In just 4 years working with the basket cooperative, I was able to earn enough money to set up a small shop in Kabingo that sells necessities such as sugar, salt, and soap.  With my income I am able to pay my children’s school feels.  I feel empowered because I am able to provide for my family.  I am Annet Nakalanzi and Gyendi (I am OK).  

Gertrude Najjemba

Tubasanyukidde (Welcome) I am Gertrude Najjemba.  I am married with four children; two girls and two boys ranging from 12 – 20 years old.  I have been in the basket cooperative from the beginning.  I have been able to study and take a Nursery Teaching Course.  With my basket funds, I was able to buy a plot of land and pay my children’s school requirements.  It feels good to be able to take help take care of my family’s needs and not have to ask my husband for help.

Christine Namukisa

Nze (I am) Christine Namukisa.   I have six children; four boys and two girls between 6 and 24 years old. I have been in the basket cooperative for one year.  The income from the basket coop helps me care for my mother who is ill, purchase a drum to collect water and pay St Bahkita boarding costs for my children. I am so happy to be able to earn some money by making the baskets because my poor health prevents me from digging in the garden.

Betty Namukasa

My name is Betty Namukasa, I am married to John Bosco, Fr. Richard Kyankaaga’s brother.  We live in Kabingo and have five children; four girls and one boy.  I have been a member of the basket cooperative from the very beginning – about 12 years.  My basket income allowed me to start a piggery project and now I have two pigs!  I feel good as a woman to be able to have an income and be able to help our children with their school requirements.  Siiba bulungi (Have a nice day).

Annet Nakaggwa

My name is Annet Nakaggwa.  I am 30 years old; my husband and I have five boys and three girls ranging in age from 1 to 17 years old.  With my basket funds I have been able to put up a home and upgrade the roof from thatching to iron sheets.  It is a happy feeling to be able to contribute to and improve the household and pay my children’s school requirements. Mweraba (Goodbye to more than one person)

Maureen Namuwonge

My name is Maureen Namuwonge, I am 42 years old and have six children; five boys and one girl.  One of my children is sponsored in advanced high school, I am so proud of him.  Njagala (I like) to work hard and am so happy to have an income.  So far in two years weaving coasters and hot pads I have been able to pay my children’s school requirements and add a solar panel to our home.

Goreth Nanyombi

Nze (I am) Gorethy Nanyombi.   I am married with five children, four girls and one boy ages 3 to 13 years old.  My children attend the public school in Kabingo.  I have been a member of the new coaster cooperative and have been weaving for the past two years.  I was so happy to be able to invest in a piggery and have two pigs.   My income also allows me to keep my children in school and pay their requirements.

Noeline Nakivumbi

She is a single mother with 8 children of whom 5 are boys and 3 are girls ranging from 13-34 years. One of her sons is a seminarian (Yiga Mike) who is yet to be ordained as a priest. Two sons are at the
University doing business courses. Other two children are schooling at Bakhita high school and one at Bakhita primary. Noeline has been in the cooperative for the last 2 1/2 years. She uses the money from coasters and hot pads to cater for school requirements for her kids and also get basic needs at home.