A garage door closes, a door to opportunity opens

The old car garage next BEC learning centre

An old car garage has been given a new life as Busubi Empowered Communities’ (BEC) new convenience store.

Open to the local community of Kyetume, the simple shop represents a big step towards self-sustainability. The extra income from the shop will go towards projects at BEC’s Learning Centre which is located in the building right next door. 

This new initiative was made possible thanks to a continued partnership between Followings Foundation and the SMEC Foundation, with the generous support of SMEC alumni Sam Busbridge and Steph Xavier. The new project was delivered by the BEC team who will manage the stocking and staffing of the store ongoing.

From bare walls to opportunity

The journey to opening the store began with much needed works. Walls were plastered, floors and ceilings restored, wiring installed, and fresh paint brightened the space. Shelves were built, stock was purchased, and team BEC got to work.

“There were challenges in the beginning,” said John Ssentamu, Director of BEC. “At first, we didn’t have someone to manage the shop full-time. I was trying to step in when I could, but it wasn’t sustainable.”

But challenges didn’t stop progress. A young trainee, Aisha, was soon trained to run the store a step that not only kept the doors open but created a new opportunity for youth employment and training in the village.

A photo inside BEC's new on-site store

Profits that power progress

Since opening, the store has been financially self-sustaining, with all profits reinvested into restocking and maintaining operations. Looking ahead, surplus profits will support vocational training and the BEC Learning Centre to create a cycle of income that funds education, skills-building, and local leadership.

John shared what this support has meant for the community:

“On behalf of BEC, we thank SMEC Foundation and all the partners for the generous contribution and the faith they have shown in us to empower ourselves.

The people of our community are better off since BEC Centre was built, and the projects with SMEC Foundation have helped our growth more than anything.”

A strategic consideration to open the store was to stock supplies used by the local primary school to lessen the need for their long distance travel for basic cooking items (like oil and rice). The Centre already purchases bulk food items for BEC trainee's meals and the opening of the shop allows the wider community, including the school, to also benefit.

A grant that offers more than money

For Followings Foundation, this project was about more than bricks, stock, and sales. It marked a milestone in the journey of a small charity powered by belief, trust, and the generosity of individuals.

As Lauren Exton, Director of Followings Foundation, shared:

“Our little charity was built on the belief, advocacy and generosity of individuals, but in July 2023 we graciously accepted a grant from SMEC Foundation. 

The grant was received by us as more than just financial support. It was received as recognition, validation and support that our work is important. We will be forever grateful.”

Webale nyo

To our community, our donors, and especially to SMEC Foundation, Sam, and Steph – thank you. Your support helped open the doors to a store, but more importantly, you opened the doors to possibility.

Stay tuned. This is just the beginning!

John Ssentamu (and his nephew) showing Ross and Joel Hitt the site during their visit in March 2023