Joram Ndagaa hails from the pearl of Africa, Uganda, the world’s second most populous landlocked country after Ethiopia. He is that amazing guy who goes a mile and hustles to ensure everyone is happy. I can confirm all this after meeting and interacting with him at the YALI program.
Joram is always organizing for meet ups for people to network. Every time I see him and his big smile, I am reminded of the Swahili proverb, Mtu ni watu which loosely translates to mean no man is an island, we need others.
His friends joke that he is that chivalrous man who is constantly sending chocolate, flowers, gifts, handing over his jacket to the first lady after a date and even holding doors for you. It is actually true. I witnessed the kindness while attending classes with him. He tells us his story.
I was born and bred in Uganda. My biggest supporter was and still is my mother. When I was fourteen years, we were going through hard times and my family applied for a scholarship for my education. I must say God’s favor was on my side because a woman from Blackridge West Lothian Scotland, Betty Van Nuil heeded to the call. I consider her my other mother.
After I finished high school, I was so bored of life. You know the way you are not sure of what you want in life? Then the adventurous me set in, I packed my bags and left for upcountry without telling anyone. After a few days, I got employed to teach English and other subjects at a local high school.
My mum called me worried after some time. Please do not tell an African mother that you ran away from home- sort of, and will not be going home for the next six months! The lecture I got from her made me decide to inform her of my whereabouts and leave the escapades to Hollywood.
I got my degree in business studies from Chambogo University, Uganda. I later worked in insurance Companies as a sales agent. I am that one guy who was known by most Companies for always following up and waiting for their employees to sign up for policies at their reception.
I therefore want to take this opportunity to tell people that insurance is good for you so stop running the other direction when you smell that persistent insurance guy coming your way. I love entrepreneurship and I’m currently involved in an agriculture business with a friend.
Something weird happened to me when I was working and please let me tell you that story. I went to work, I was really bored that day, you know those Bruno Mars lazy days when you have surpassed your targets, your accounts are doing great and you feel like just taking a chill pill for a few hours? For some reason face book seemed to have been calling out my name.
I log in and out of nowhere, My scholarship mum’s name keeps popping in my head, I hit the search button and I see her, mark you I had not spoken to her in many years- the last time was through letters I used to write to her as a child. I sent her a friend request and introduced myself. It was a happy reunion.
In the UK, there is a show at ITV Waterloo called Surprise Surprise and her relatives decided to surprise her by flying me all the way there and setting up a surprise on national TV. This was a great and yet humbling experience to be able to meet a selfless person who went out of her way to help me. I will forever be grateful. I lived in Europe for sometime. Traveling and meeting different people makes you open minded and changes your way of thinking.
My project, Lunch for a Child involves development, nurturing and skills building for women in agriculture. They are able to raise money for their children’s education and basic needs.We have seen over 25 women become successful. We intend to expand the program to other areas in Uganda.
We recently partnered with the Jonathan’s Rainbow Foundation (UK) under Betty Van Nuil to connect primary schools in Scotland with the ones in Uganda. One successful example is through a local school called Bussi Primary School. We are working on building a kitchen with a biomass store to increase development for the women.
I have to mention how I constantly look for avenues to grow and currently I am being panel beaten at YALI. I believe this will contribute to the development of my projects back home and improve as many lives as possible. The program is intense, life changing and I have connected with great people who are doing great things in their communities. I urge all young Africans to apply and be transformed.
I am currently enrolled to start my Masters in Development management later this year. My dream is to go back to teaching in schools because that is where my heart is- equipping young Africans.
