Celebrating Faisal Mbabali: Our New ICT Fellow!

Faisal Mbabali is one of six university graduates celebrated by Action in Africa (AIA) this year. Since receiving our Secondary Scholarship in 2016, Faisal has been among the top academic achievers nurtured and supported by the center. He has graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering from Mbarara University of Science and Technology. In 2016, He was notably declared as an AIA Ambassador, working tirelessly to promote AIA's mission and image within the Nakuwadde community. 

Faisal's education began at Sir Apollo Kaggwa Primary School. However, financial constraints led to a transfer to Light Primary School in Nakuwadde, where he successfully secured a performance bursary. He continued to Light Secondary School before completing his A-level studies at Central College School.

Faisal received limited financial support from his father, who was catering to two families. As he explained, "My father is a Muslim, so having two wives was fine, but this led to partial support at home." To supplement the family income, Faisal and his mother hawked clothes, particularly during the holidays. His life took a new direction in 2016 when his journey with Action in Africa (AIA) officially began. He humorously recalled, "I first attended AIA’s party in 2015 while targeting food, not realizing AIA offered other impactful programs."

Later, Faisal connected with their neighbor Lewis Bisaso Nakabaale, who had joined us before and described the Scholarship and Holiday Programs. Faisal was immediately captivated, as things at home were deteriorating financially. He wasted no time engaging with the programs, quickly winning one term of school fees before securing a full Secondary Scholarship. His commitment, passion, and activeness also earned him a bike and several certificates. Faisal noted just how crucial this support was, "I nearly dropped out of school in Senior 2 because my father had lost a job and our mother could not support us all with her small business of hawking clothes, which means AIA’s scholarship came at the right time.”

Beyond the scholarship, Faisal praised AIA's programs for shaping his development, particularly debate and creative writing, which significantly boosted his English proficiency. Spending his time at The Center during Holiday Programs also safeguarded him from negative community influences. Now, as a graduate, he plans to use his software engineering knowledge for the benefit of the community. He aims to specialize in writing and testing code, manipulating data, optimizing software, and leading system integration, application development, and system management solutions and technology. 

Currently, Faisal works with us under our fellowship program as an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Fellow. For twelve months as a fellow, he will be obliged to assist the ICT training and support coordinator in troubleshooting and resolving basic hardware, software, and support routine inspection and maintenance of laptops at The Center, and serve as the first point of support and training to the staff and community as well.

“I proudly say that I am a software engineer, and I am in my dream,” Faisal said.  

Finally, Faisal extended his deep gratitude to AIA for their unwavering support since 2016 and specifically thanked the Country Director David Masiko for instrumental guidance and advice in seeking out opportunities. In a heartfelt reflection, he gave special credit to “Aunt” Sarah Nininger for establishing AIA in Nakuwadde.

“If she had given this opportunity to another area, we would be dropouts or fathers. Action in Africa has been my mother and father from day one; they relieved my parents of the school fees burden,” he said. "We shall never be able to compensate the money you have invested in our community apart from thanking you and embracing your efforts. Thank you, Action in Africa, once again."

Faisal’s Mother expressed her gratitude to Action in Africa and especially the Executive Director, Sarah Nininger.

"My name is Namukasa Hadijjah, and I am Faisal Mbabali's mother. I want to sincerely thank Action in Africa for their support and all they do for our family. I vividly recall when Faisal was in Senior Two at Light Secondary. I was struggling to sell clothes, and the money I earned was simply not enough to cover his school fees. His studies were interrupted until his friends told him about Action in Africa, an organization that helps vulnerable students. Faisal began attending the AIA programs, and I happily remember that moment at the end of 2016 when Action in Africa gave him a brand-new bike. That was the moment we truly knew we had started to see the light." 

Faisal's hard work and dedication quickly made him a well-known figure at the Action in Africa (AIA) center. His consistent effort culminated in him earning a University Scholarship. AIA's commitment went even further when they selected Faisal as an Ambassador. In this role, he demonstrated leadership by volunteering for community cleanups, advertising AIA's programs, and more. This experience not only gave him invaluable opportunities but also cemented his status as a leader among his peers.

“Truly, AIA's support has been unconditional,” Faisal’s mother, Namukasa Hadijjah, said, “They have acted as surrogate parents, filling our absence at school by providing essential love and care. This support included ensuring he had all his scholastic materials and consistently checking on both his academic performance and his health. Even during my severe illness in 2023, when I was completely bedridden, my mind was at peace. I knew that Action in Africa was truly family and would cater to Faisal's every need. I am profoundly grateful to Mummy Sarah for seeing and addressing the critical needs in our Nakuwadde community. May the Lord grant her longevity so she and the entire Action in Africa staff can continue their transformative work. Finally, I express immense joy and gratitude that my son has now secured a job with the same organization, a perfect opportunity for him to grow professionally. So many graduates in our community struggle and become idle, but look at my son. We are truly blessed!"

The professional fellowship is a structured program offering advanced training, mentorship, and experience in a specific field to our recent university graduates for hands-on, specialized experience, skills development, career advancement, networking, and mentorship from the experts in their field. Through this program, Fellows like Faisal gain the skills and confidence to lead within their professions and communities.