Commissioned Caretakers
BLI's first and second cohorts of Caretakers have officially completed the BLI formation program. Both groups spent over two years in the program, the majority of this time on BLI's campus in Nandere. They have now returned to their home villages across Uganda, each of them starting their own farm using the knowledge obtained at BLI. Despite their time at BLI's campus coming to a close, they remain integral members of the BLI family: "Once BLI, always BLI."
COHORT III
Angella Kamukama
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Angella is proud and excited to be at BLI. One thing that really excites her is her future as a female in the male-dominated agricultural industry. "No, I'm not nervous," she says. "I think its great to be unique!"
Andrew Kaggwa Mawanda
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Allen Gimono
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Allen's favorite part of BLI is Lazarus' Forest. Less than 6 months into the program, she was already sharing knowledge. "By now, I already know very many different types of trees," she shared.
Brian Ocen
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Deogratius Serubiri
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Deogratius joined BLI after spending time as an electrician, as he sees agriculture, particularly sustainable agriculture, as important for the future of his people and country. “We have a growing population, and we need to eat," he says. "I thus see organic farming as a very moral occupation. It keeps our nation healthy.”
Esther Najjemba
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Growing up, Esther watched her mother farm every day. She wanted to do the same. "Even in primary school, farming was my dream," she shares. She knows BLI will give her the tools to follow this dream and plans to open a banana plantation and piggery upon graduation.
Edrine Mulidwa
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Francis Ebeju
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Henry Musanjje
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Hajara Mugide
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Hajara came to BLI with her brother, Jackson. They plan to be the first in their family to practice agriculture. "We plan to practice together, hopefully rearing poultry," Hajara shared.
JB Iduuli
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Jovia Nakimuli
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
When Jovia was in high school, her father fell ill, which forced her to drop out due to a lack of funding for school fees. She then joined BLI and loves it, especially the forest. On the weekends, she already started bringing tree seedlings back to her home village, teaching her neighbors about reforestation.
Jackson Wabomba
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Coming to BLI with his sister Hajara, Jackson plans to return to his home village after his time at BLI concludes. There, he will work with Hajara to build a farm based on the pillars of integral ecology.
Mary Nakiriwo
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Mary came to BLI after serving as a hairdresser for some time. She is excited to have the opportunity to be back out in the village and on the land. "I like it out here best," she says. "Here you can live with your people, live with your animals, and have forever fresh air.”
Thomas Sekyanzi
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Richard Mugambi
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Specioza Kyomugisha
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Spacioza previously earned a certificate in agriculture. She joined BLI, however, to learn more holistic and sustainable methods of farming. She plans to have a poultry farm one day. "My dream is that one day, many people will visit my farm and see my techniques. They will come and tell others, ‘This here, is Spacioza’s poultry farm.’”
Sharon Kayesu
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort III)
Bubbly and outgoing, Sharon quickly makes friends with any guest that visits BLI. "In life, you always need friends. It is only together that we can accomplish things," she shared.
COHORT II
Victor Arimpa
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
Victor always wanted to pursue higher education but he did not have funds to do so. Then, he heard about BLI. Just one month after joining, he knew this was the place for him. “I now have just so much passion in my life. I wake up every day with so much energy.”
Rosemary Babirye
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
“I thought farming was not my interest…although I had started admiring the BLI trainees…seeing them in their overalls, working with animals and vegetables, on which my mom was getting survival.”
Tracy Babirye
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
“My stay at BLI made me find out that all things are equal, and everyone is responsible for the harm caused to the environment……I see hope of becoming an integral farmer, tourist guide, or a researcher…I prefer to educate others about the skills I am acquiring here at BLI and be part of the world changes from chemical to organic methods of farming.”
Sandra Kaitesi
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
“From my childhood, I had a dream of being a veterinary doctor….I wanted to join an agricultural college but the tuition was unaffordable…..After BLI I think of setting up an integrated farm, without ignoring my dream of becoming a veterinarian..”
Isa Kisumbi
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
"What interest me in the program is to learn how to take care of animals and growing different varieties of crops using practices that have no harm to the environment. I also enjoy activities done in the Lazarus forest; for example nursery establishment and management and planting of trees. I look forward to being a tree specialist in my home village with a good nursery rich in a variety of local trees.”
Geofrey Lubega
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
“I enjoy studying at BLI, especially learning how to rear animals and chickens.”
Joylin Nabadda
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
“When my mother told me about BLI I saw my future and gained hope…..My mission after BLI is to set up a teaching and production farm where I can produce and teach the community how to live in a sustainable healthy environment.”
Phionah Nakalema
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
Before joining BLI, Phionah worked in a Chinese sewing company in Kampala for some time. When she heard of BLI, she immediately applied, as she longed to return to the villages and open air. "I only went to Kampala as I needed work," she shares. "I am so much more comfortable back out here." Her favorite part of BLI is the leadership classes.
Immaculate Nambirige
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
Immaculate (or "Immy") says BLI provided to her a whole new life. "I am very eager to finish the training and go home to practice and share this Godly knowledge and skills to my community," she shares.
Damascus Ochieng
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort II)
"In the [BLI] program I am interested in learning about animal management and am looking forward to starting a personal project at home next year….I see myself as a successful Integral Ecologist in my home village in Eastern Uganda, 160 miles from BLI.”
COHORT I
Jonas Ahairwe
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
“My dream is to become a model Integral Ecology Agricultural Entrepreneur in my community.”
Flavia Nabaggala
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
Named "Best Academic Performer" of Cohort I
“BLI has empowered me….I have hope in prayer… I will go back in my community to teach other women the skills I have acquired at BLI.”
Yunusu Kyazze
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
"I am determined to change my village with Integral Ecology practices.”
Paul Muzalugamba
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
Awarded "Greatest Leadership Potential" Award for Cohort I
“I am grateful... to get the right education about how sustainably I can use the environment to develop myself, my family, and the world at large.”
Vicent Katumba
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
“I was among the first students who got a chance to study at BLI…back in my village I can provide a great help to my community to save and conserve our environment for the common good.”
Alice Joyce Nanfuka
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
Named "Best Community Advocate" in Cohort I
“Because of God’s love I was able to register at BLI…The moment I reached BLI, I found great teachers and good friends who gave me hope, and I knew my future is BLI.”
George William Ssebeggala
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
“My goals are to produce healthy food for the world, help other people with challenges in education, developing my own family and my community by passing on this great type of education to the next generation.”
Esther Nantume
Commissioned Caretaker (Cohort I)
“I felt like I had found a new home [when arriving at BLI] because of the love the teachers have for people, animals and plants... I see myself as a future farmer producing healthy food for my family and community, and helping others to know the importance of protecting our mother earth."