The KiBO Foundation: Helping Africans Help Themselves

KiBO Foundation means little to anyone in North America outside of a small band of loyal supporters and the friends and family associated with board members. And they’re mostly in the Toronto area.

In Uganda it’s a whole different thing. KiBO isn’t quite a household name YET.  But for the 250+ students that have been through the program and their friends and family it’s highly respected. As well senior members of the business community and government are paying attention to the results we’re getting.

I want people here in North America to know that there are positive things happening in Africa.

In Uganda there are approximately 50,000 charities or NGO’s as they are often called (short for Non Government Organization). I didn’t add one too many zeros either. Most of these NGO’s are small. They are started with good intentions like building schools for small villages or delivering clean drinking water. All are worthy causes.

But KiBO is different.

KiBO teaches youth between the ages of 18 – 30 internet, communication and technology (ICT) skills. But that’s not all. These kids have to give back to their community. They have to help people even less fortunate than themselves – and some of our students come from the streets. Not only is this giving back to fellow Africans tremendously empowering, it’s inspiring to the students. They are proud of what they can accomplish. They become hopeful for a better future for not only themselves but their country.

In October when I visited KiBO in Uganda (as a board member) we spent a fantastic few hours with the AIDS orphans from the Luwero District. Our 9th class (made up of half Ugandans and half Rwandans) raised $US1000 through car washes and other activities. Then they took about $300 of that money and bought enough land for the orphans that they can now grow their own food and be self sufficient. The orphans in turn put on an incredible display of song and dance which you can watch on the video below. Can they ever shake their booty!!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIMX8aaAEF4

Why does thi matter?

Uganda has a population similar to that of Canada – about 32 million. The median age is 15. That means half the country is below the age of 15 and half is above. Uganda has the lowest median age in the world! It also has the third highest birthrate. And approximately 80% of youth are unemployed. Unemployed youth with no hope turn to activities that can destabilize a country. The world does not need another unstable country. That affects all of us. What the world needs is a healthy, educated population.

Ninety percent of KiBO students are employed within three months of graduation.

The Future

While our numbers are still small our dreams are not. Eventually we want to replicate KiBO and open centers around Uganda and in Rwanda and Kenya. But we want the African corporations and government to step up to the plate to help out. And that’s what’s happening. Microsoft is one of the big players that love what we’re doing. The Rotary Club is very interested but we need another Canadian club to become a partner. We have lots of companies in our pipeline but like any charitable organization we need more money to accomplish our goals.

And that’s where you come in. On the KiBO Foundation home page we have a Donate Now button. This takes you to the Canada Helps website where you can donate and get an immediate tax receipt if your donation is greater than $10. Ten dollars goes a long way in Uganda. Forty dollars covers the tuition of a student for a week and $600 covers tuition for a term.

And one last thing

You should know that KiBO is run by a man named Abraham Temu. He is a Ugandan Canadian, almost 40 years old, who walked away from a lucrative career on Bay Street. In fact he was the youngest vice president ever at Price Waterhouse Coopers. He left that and his young family for 18 months to put every ounce of his energy into KiBO and into making a difference to the lives of his Ugandan countrymen. He runs a lean operation and takes money out of his own pocket when things get tough.

Then there’s the Board of Directors. Meet Arthur Labatt, a distinguished businessman who is an Officer of the Order of Canada; Brad Badeau, Senior VP and CFO of Burgundy Asset Management and one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 (a few years ago now); John Evans, a Companion of the Order of Canada and Founding Chair of the MaRS Discovery District; June Sommers, an energetic, successful real estate personality and myself. We all want KiBO to be successful.

Do stay tuned. CBC Radio will be running a show in the next few weeks about KiBO, hosted by Kennedy Jawaoko.

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