Empowering Ugandan Villages: How Southern Adventist University Enactus Students Make a Difference

Southern Adventist University is shaping young minds through real-world projects that create lasting change. One standout initiative is the Enactus program. Here, students learn valuable skills while making a difference in communities far away.

The story of Thrive Uganda, or THRU, began in January 2024. OurGanda, a nonprofit in Uganda, asked Enactus for help with financial literacy in the Bundibugyo district. Sergio Bellino, an associate professor and Enactus advisor, explains, “We focus on social enterprise. Our goal is to find innovative solutions that empower people sustainably.”

Students quickly jumped on board to create educational modules on essentials like managing money, loans, and investments. These lessons are designed to be practical and relevant. In fact, more than 120 people have already benefited from the program. Chase Slikkers, a business cybersecurity student and one of the project managers, traveled to Uganda to see the impact first-hand. “It was exciting to see villagers pooling their money and lending it, a direct result of our teachings,” he shares.

To build on this success, the team is expanding the curriculum. “We’re now focusing on helping them identify community needs for small businesses,” Slikkers adds. This exercise ensures that the strategies taught are tailored to local conditions and realities.

But the project doesn’t stop at financial literacy. The team discovered another pressing issue: many girls in the villages miss school due to a lack of sanitary facilities. In response, they created a latrine blueprint to help tackle this challenge. Zach Mace, an engineering student working on the latrine designs, noted how crucial it is to ensure structural integrity while being easy to construct. “We’ve been prototyping and gathering feedback,” he says, emphasizing the importance of adapting designs to local capabilities.

Enactus plans to continue supporting OurGanda until the 2025-2026 school year. This approach not only builds knowledge but fosters independence in the communities they serve. “It’s not just about helping; it’s about empowering them for the long term,” Mace concludes, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to engage in this meaningful work.

As these students grow into leaders, they’re not just learning— they’re changing lives. The impact of their work will resonate for years to come, illustrating the power of education and social entrepreneurship in addressing global challenges.

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