[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.21.3″ saved_tabs=”all” z_index_tablet=”500″]
Ruth Kendegye Ndyabahika, a Child Psychologist by profession and former President of the prestigious International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) is the Founder of Grace Villa sanctuary for girls who has dedicated her life to serve God through taking care of young vulnerablegirl children.
Having lived for 20 years in the USA, Ndyabahika moved back to Uganda in August 2012 and set up Grace Villa in Kabale to rescue and nurture homeless girls.
She was inspired to start Grace Villa following her Christian background. “I was brought up in a family that cared about people. My mother and my father were both clergy,” she says.
She studied and worked in Boston, Massachusetts where life went on well. One evening, she hosted a movie night at their home with her brother. The movie that their American friends chose to bring was called “Invisible Children”, which showed the atrocities carried out by Joseph Kony on his own people in Northern Uganda. It highlighted the “Night Commuters” – kids who would travel long distances every night to sleep in public spaces to avoid abduction by Kony’s soldiers. If caught, they would be forcibly made into child soldiers or child wives.
She narrates how this movie intrigued her empathetic character “I was so moved by what I watched that I called the number on the back of the DVD. I had never spoken in public or volunteered before, but chose to became an East Coast representative of the Invisible Children organization. My life was now filled with advocating and lobbying for the children of Northern Uganda,” she adds.
Together with other passionate people – mainly youth, they marched on streets, camped for days in different states, spoke at churches and Universities and lobbied on Capital Hill in DC. A significant breakthrough came when President Obama signed the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act into law.
“I was much honored to be receiving a letter of thanks from the late Senator Edward Kennedy regarding our efforts. This journey caused a shift in my life. I saw firsthand how the combined efforts of like minded, committed individuals, regardless of age or background, can achieve the nearly impossible,” says Kendegye.
Kendegye discovered her passion. She knew now that using her experience and profession she could help vulnerable and marginalized Ugandan children.
Kendegye researched, saved and planed for a homecoming. Two years later, she moved from Boston to the hills of Kabale, Uganda to start Grace Villa, a loving home for orphans, abandoned and vulnerable girls.
She believes that Grace Villa exists to change the narrative of discrimination, lack of education, abuse and deeply entrenched prejudices that often bar girls from reaching their full potential.
“Since opening our doors 4 years ago, we have grown to play a major role in achieving this goal, putting girl child rights at the heart of everything we do. We equip them with moral values and life skills that will enable them to flourish and make an impact on the world after they leave our walls,” says Kendegye.
The need to run Grace Villa on a daily basis is so vast and overwhelming. Kendegye therefore approaches this journey with each individual life that she can save or touch girls in their endeavours in getting an education, a nutritious meal and pulled them out of abusive situations.
She is driven by passions that hail from a deep background of faith and a foundation in God and says she has never thought of quitting this path. “I have no option but to be the best that I can be, for them. I don’t have the luxury of even thinking of giving up, no matter how tough it gets as it often gets,” she says.
From Grace Villa children, she has learnt lessons every day which have made her braver, wiser, and more patient. Her world has greatly expanded, and she has the love and fervent prayers of hundreds of children backing her up. Each one of them could write a bestselling book based on what they have been through.
Raising resources to run Grace Villa has not been a simple for Kendegye since every voluntary or non-profit organization requires money either to support its existing activities or to expand and improve its services. The Grace Villa budget is high since Kendegye pays school fees for over 200 Primary, High school and University girls, as well as running the home including food, maintenance and other programs.
“Asking is tough, and is a lesson in humility that I am learning every day, because if I don’t put myself out there and actively fundraise for the children, who else will. Besides fundraising, we try to find creative ways of raising funds,” she says.
The KIKAZI line project by Grace Villa is one of the ways Kendegye uses to create self sustainability while equipping girls with exceptional skills. Here girls are empowered to know that they are contributing towards paying for their own schools fees with the products they make. Well made and
Kendegye says that Grace Villa home runs by the grace of God through special people who take it upon themselves to bring food, clothes, and financial donations mostly from Ugandans.
With a sense of satisfaction she tells of her sacrifices that any young lady would want to enjoy in her youthful days. “Running Grace Villa was a scary move, leaving a cozy fun life that I had,” She says. She put down the comforts of a steady job, a good health care plan, cool friends, her house, car and other life pleasures..
Stories from Beneficiaries
Phionah Kiconco, a 20 years old BBA student of Bishop Barham University College recalls how her life became miserable after a dad during S.1 holidays.
After staying with her grandmother who could not meet her daily needs including school dues, she joined grace villa in 2013. Grace Villa took her on from S.4 up to now. Kiconco says that her life has greatly changed and she can now sustain her life. “I have learnt skills in tailoring, bakery and ICT through grace villa all because of Aunt Ruth’s efforts,” she says.
Faith Nasasira18, who had dropped out of school for two years, is currently in her S.4 Vacation after completing and recalls how it’s by Grace Villasblessing that she is still in School.
Evelyn Tusingwire, 12, is a P.7 pupil at Kabale Primary School who who wiuth a ray of hope and joy says all has been possible due to Grace Villa.
Who is Ruth Kendegye Ndyabahika?
Ruth Ndyabahika was born in Chicago, Illinois to Anglican priests Rev Can Prof. James and Rev Can Grace Ndyabahika, with two siblings: Apolo and Rachelle.
She started her primary Education in Scotland before going Nairobi for P.3 and P.4. Later on Kendegye went to Nakasero Primary School where she completed her Primary Education from.
For Secondary Education, Kendegye went to Bishop Kivengyere girls’ school, Muyebe and Kigezi High School before going back to Boston for further Studies.
She graduated from North Eastern University and later joined Willock College to pursue further studies in Child Psychology.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
