Time for another Sseko Graduation celebration! This year’s class of THIRTEEN University-Bound ladies graduated last week, and though we’re always excited about their futures, we’re definitely sad to see them go. These ladies jumped into a busy work schedule on their very first day and haven’t slowed down since, finishing up a last minute batch of samples before sitting down for an afternoon of speeches, cake, and celebration.
We kicked off the celebration with a special lunch. Most days, it’s a plate of filling bean stew with rice or posho (a thickened corn porridge), but these ladies enjoyed plates of rice, chicken, cabbage, and potatoes.
Our team in the U.S. surprised them with an amazing video full of great advice and some impressive dance moves, and well as some cute handmade banners to hang in their dormitory rooms. “Congs” is a common abbreviation for congratulations.
After speeches we shared a delicious chocolate cake. In Uganda, we refer to the University bound girls as “CLA’s,” a reference to Cornerstone Leadership Academy, the partner organization that connects us to these hard working young ladies. Cornerstone is an enormous part of the reason these ladies are so well-spoken and ready for the future.
The girls also said goodbye to their mentors, our veteran staff who meet with them and encourage them throughout their time at Sseko.
We’re going to miss these wonderful ladies, but are looking forward to seeing how they’ll change Uganda and the world.