Fiona Sibihwana, a graduate in International Diplomacy, made a bold and unexpected choice when she joined Teach For Uganda’s Cohort 4, stepping away from the conventional path in her field to follow a deeper calling. Guided by purpose, she applied to the fellowship and was soon recruited, trained and placed at Kalagala Primary School in Mayuge District. There, she poured herself into the work, driven by a belief that education holds the key to lasting transformation in Uganda. What began as a two-year commitment quickly evolved into a lifelong journey of impact and service.
During her time at Kalagala Primary School, Fiona worked tirelessly to address some of the school’s most pressing challenges. One of her most impactful efforts was improving student attendance, which had long been a problem in the community. Fiona visited homes regularly, taking time to meet with parents, discuss learners’ progress, and encourage families to take a more active role in their children’s education. Through these personal connections, she was able to build trust between the school and the community. Parents who had once been reluctant began sending their children to school consistently, leading to a visible improvement in attendance and learner participation.
Fiona’s commitment did not stop at increasing attendance. She also recognized that many children were struggling because of a lack of basic learning materials. Determined to bridge this gap, she mobilized support for more than ten learners, reaching out to well-wishers who contributed scholastic materials and other essentials. This support helped ensure that children from disadvantaged families could continue their education with confidence. Fiona’s ability to bring people together around a common cause showed not only her leadership but also her deep empathy for the children she served.
When her two-year fellowship came to an end, Fiona made a decision that set her apart. While many fellows move on to new opportunities after completing the program, she chose to remain at Kalagala Primary School. The needs of the school were still great, and she felt a personal responsibility to continue the work she had started. For Fiona, teaching was never merely a placement or a brief act of service, it evolved into a lifelong calling. Her choice to remain at Kalagala Primary School after the fellowship highlighted the program’s enduring influence, revealing its ability to drive meaningful change and foster long-term commitment within communities.
Fiona Sibihwana stands in front of the shared classroom at Kalagala Primary School, where learners from P.4, P.5, and P.6 study together due to limited classroom space.
As the number of students at the school continued to rise, a new challenge emerged. Three classes were forced to share one classroom space, making it difficult for learners to concentrate and for teachers to give each group the attention they needed. Instead of seeing this as an obstacle, Fiona saw it as an opportunity to strengthen community ownership of education. She rallied the community to make bricks while she began mobilizing resources to build an additional classroom. By involving parents and community members in this effort, Fiona turned what could have been a setback into a collective project of hope. This process, which is still ongoing, will address the urgent need for space at Kalagala Primary School but also reinforce the idea that education is a shared responsibility.
Some of the bricks that will be used to construct new classrooms and ease congestion were mobilized through Fiona’s deliberate effort to engage the community.
What started as a two-year fellowship grew into a lifelong mission to transform education. Through trust-building, learner support, and community mobilization, Fiona's impact continues to ripple outward, strengthening schools and inspiring hope across Uganda.
