LIBERTY COLLEGE

The Liberty College was established in 2004 and is a vocational education and professional training centre for adults from underprivileged backgrounds, leading to the achievement of certificate and diploma awards in various fields. The institution is located in the heart of Kasese Municipal Council in Kasese District in the western region of Uganda, about 500 km from Kampala. Courses offered include journalism, catering, sewing, computer studies, secretarial studies, business management and accounting.

Students currently attending the college come from surrounding villages in the community and most do not have access to electricity or running water, but see the Liberty College as an opportunity of a lifetime. At present there are 110 students and limited resources which include only 5 second hand computers, 14 typewriters and 5 sewing machines. The current location of the college is rented with only one classroom, meaning many classes have to be taught outside under a tree.

LIDEFO is desperately trying to relocate the Liberty College to a larger site so as to ensure its sustainability and improve the level of education offered to the students. We have successfully purchased the new site and drawn up architectural plans for the new four classroom college and we are now aiming to secure funding for construction which will take ten weeks. In building the new and improved Liberty College we can provide greater access for the community to a learning environment aimed at decreasing poverty and bridging the knowledge gap amongst these individuals. This would allow the many prospective students in the Kasese region the opportunity to attain an education they would otherwise miss out on due to the present problems faced.

As part of the Liberty College’s commitment to serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds, we have introduced a student scholarship program for those in need of financial assistance and sponsorship for their tuition fees. This program is available to all current and prospective students and is made possible only by external donors sponsoring a student’s fees and in turn changing their lives forever. If you are interested in sponsoring a student in the form of a scholarship, please contact us today for more information and click here to view the application form the students complete. Scholarships begin at only GBP60 for one year’s tuition and provide the student with an opportunity to learn a practical skill to improve their livelihoods.

To find out more information get in touch or if you are interested in volunteering at the Liberty College please see our Development Workers and Interns page (Click here).

MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

The Liberty Development Foundation in its broader approach to development has considered Women and Youth Groups as one of the most disadvantaged in the community. Currently the organisation is running a micro enterprise development scheme and other income generating activities to improve their livelihood. The Women and Youth Groups comprise of over thirty-five members who directly benefit from a revolving fund and advice on how to develop the small businesses they run. These businesses vary from charcoal trading, bicycles transporters or bringing coffee from the villages and selling it at the local markets.

We are continually looking for volunteers with business skills to help these projects develop!