In today's world, education stands as a pillar of progress and empowerment. However, this potential often remains untapped in communities facing systemic challenges. Brenda Nagasha, a dedicated Teaching Fellow from the Teach For Uganda program, has taken significant strides in bridging this gap. At Bunakijja COU Primary School, she represents the belief that substantive transformation is possible when educators connect deeply with their communities. Through her innovative approaches, Brenda has not only revitalized the classroom but has also paved the way for sustainable change, making education a reason of hope for many students.
“The Fellowship taught me that teaching isn’t just about instruction, You must have connections. That’s how change truly begins.” – Brenda Nagasha
Addressing the roots of inequity, Brenda began her fellowship journey at Bunakijja COU Primary School amidst deeply entrenched barriers that included chronic absenteeism driven by poverty, household responsibilities and a lack of meaningful engagement; widespread student apathy and detachment from learning; and severely limited classroom resources that stifled both teaching and inspiration. Yet, where others saw Overwhelming barriers, Brenda saw the raw potential to reimagine what learning could look like with community, creativity and courage at its core.
Brenda Nagasha in her inaugural month as a Teaching Fellow at Bunakijja Primary School
Creating Learning Spaces That Inspire
With a clear vision and deep community engagement, Brenda reimagined the school as a space where children could thrive academically and emotionally. She founded a Reading Club and secured over 300 books through partnerships with Africa Eli, Utopia and Teach For Uganda, creating a haven where learners discovered the magic of stories. To reignite daily attendance, she infused joy and movement into the school day through vibrant physical education sessions, transforming the classroom into a place students were excited to return to. And in one of her most inspiring initiatives, Brenda organized a visit to the Parliament of Uganda offering students their first civic experience and planting seeds of leadership, service and ambition.
“When I saw their eyes and faces filled with smiles at Parliament, I knew education could expand even the biggest dreams in the smallest villages”. Brenda Nagasha
Championing Girls, Meeting Every Child’s Need.
Brenda, recognizing the unique challenges that girls face in accessing and staying in school, championed targeted, practical solutions to create a more inclusive learning environment. Through partnerships, she has secured and distributing over 300 sanitary pads each term, effectively eliminating menstruation-related absenteeism and preserving girls’ dignity. She went further by providing essential supplies and clothing, helping students especially girls feel confident, prepared and valued. Demonstrating her commitment to holistic support, Brenda also mobilized scholarships and learning materials for six (6) vulnerable children, ensuring that no learner was left behind on the path to education.
“For our girls, confidence starts with feeling seen and supported”. Brenda Nagasha
On the left side of the image, there is a collection of receipts for the school supplies and other educational materials that Brenda is helping learners obtain. On the right side of the image, learners are seen receiving sanitary pads.
Restoring Trust in Education, One Household at a Time
Brenda’s conviction that sustainable change begins with community inclusion led her to extend her impact far beyond the classroom. She launched “Lwaki Nsoma” (“Why I Learn”), a powerful parent-focused initiative designed to foster joint accountability and strengthen families’ investment in their children’s education. Through regular home visits, she rebuilt trust with caregivers, deepened understanding of learners' needs and created open channels for progress updates. By creating meaningful collaborations and partnerships, Brenda is helping create a holistic learning ecosystem where every child’s growth is a shared responsibility.
“We can’t build futures in isolation. Parents, leaders, and teachers must all walk this path together.” Brenda Nagasha
Understanding that true education nurtures both the mind and the heart, Brenda is prioritizing spiritual and emotional well-being as part of her holistic approach. She partnered with Gideons International to mobilize Bibles for the children, fostering moral growth and a sense of purpose through faith-based learning. Beyond resources, she is cultivating a school culture grounded in joy, curiosity, and kindness, creating an environment where learners feel safe, valued and inspired to grow in every dimension.
Students at Bunakijja Primary School thrive in classroom interactions thanks to the Play-Based teaching approach implemented by Teach For Uganda Fellow, Nagasha Brenda.
The Teach For Uganda Fellowship serves not just as a platform but as a transformative launchpad that has unlocked Brenda’s potential as a changemaker. Through this experience, she is harnessing the power of community-driven problem-solving, honing her ability to design and implement programs tailored for local impact and evolving into a dynamic connector who bridges the divide between policy and practice, grassroots initiatives, and systemic reform.
Brenda's influence is profound and lasting. Her journey demonstrates the potential of purpose-driven individuals who are equipped, trusted and integrated into the communities they serve. The Teach For Uganda Fellowship not only shaped Brenda's path but also empowered her to envision a new future for hundreds of children.
“This work isn’t easy but it’s necessary. And when you walk with the community, every step forward feels like a shared victory.” Brenda Nagasha.
Brenda Nagasha beams with joy as she engages with Primary Two learners during a classroom session at Bunakijja Primary School.
Help Us Grow More leaders Like Brenda Nagasha.
Every child deserves inspiring teacher leaders like Brenda, who persevere even when faced with significant challenges. At Teach For Uganda, we refer to these educators as Fellows. Each day, committed leaders like Brenda Nagasha enter overcrowded, under-resourced classrooms with a single powerful mission: to equip children with the skills to read, count, dream, and succeed.
But here’s the truth: keeping a committed Fellow like Brenda in the classroom for just one year costs $8,000 and we can’t do it alone.
Supporting a Fellow like Brenda means empowering a dedicated teacher and opening the door to endless opportunities for over 100 children in rural Uganda. It’s about placing storybooks in their hands, instilling confidence in their steps and inspiring limitless dreams in their hearts.
Here’s how your contribution creates real, immediate impact:
✅ $25 supplies storybooks, pens, and visual aids for interactive learning
✅ $50 powers coaching sessions to help Fellows grow into confident, effective educators
✅ $100 funds leadership and pedagogy workshops that turn Fellows into changemakers
✅ $200 provides a month’s stipend for a Fellow, so they can teach and serve with dignity
✅ $8,000 sponsors an entire year for one passionate Fellow, transforming lives one classroom at a time.
This could be your moment to act. Uganda’s learning crisis is urgent: 83% of 10-year-olds can’t read and understand a simple story (World Bank, 2022). But that number isn’t just a statistic, it’s a challenge we must rise to together.
🔗Click here: https://www.omprakash.org/global/teachforuganda/crowdfund/support-a-fellow--transform-a-classroom
Your gift today goes beyond the classroom. It ripples outward through homes, communities, and generations.
Sponsor a Fellow. Empower a generation. Be the reason a child believes in the power of learning.
