Arriving fully at the table
Since their eviction from the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in 1991, the Batwa have quite often been onlookers watching the work of professionals brought to Bwindi to help with community development. This trend is quickly changing with the addition of more robust educational opportunities which help the Bawta arrive fully at the table of opportunity.
When I was in Bwindi in 2019, I witnessed the construction of the first home built with interlocking soil stabilizing bricks (ISSB). Homes were constructed by a professional contractor and construction crew. Batwa brothers Alex Akansinguza and Trust Byamugisha and their families, pictured far right, were the first Batwa to receive homes. Although they were primarily onlookers during construction, I noticed how much Alex and Trust enjoyed the process. They learned to make interlocking bricks that were subsequently used to construct their homes.
About 60 interlocking-brick homes have been constructed, all with the help of professional crews—until now. In April, the Kellermann Foundation celebrated an historic milestone-: the first interlocking-brick home constructed entirely by Batwa builders—no outside contractor, trainer, or construction crew. Emmanuel Nteziyaremye, pictured in yellow above, is thankful to receive this safe, dignified home for his family. The benefits are immeasurable-. The family no longer sleeps on a dirt floor, and they have a dry, clean living space. Less energy is spent on survival and more energy is available to build their future.
In late 2024, the Kellermann Foundation launched Uplift Batwa Talents (Uplift) to expand opportunities leading to self-sustainability. This program provides education and training ranging from secondary school to apprenticeships and jobs placement. Now in its second year, the signs of transformation are visible. Batwa are building their own future across a multitude of disciplines, including construction, carpentry, welding, mechanics, nursing, tailoring, hair-styling, hospitality, education, social work, accounting, communications, cultural preservation, pottery, and basket weaving. Batwa can now choose a career path and know we will stand alongside them through job placement.
Alex (above) and Trust (below) are among 574 Batwa benefiting from Uplift. They received vocational training in brickmaking and construction, and they now serve in the program’s apprenticeship program to gain on-the-job experience and learn soft skills. In April, Uplift construction apprentices advanced to construction of multi-storied buildings.
As Batwa skills increase and diversity, so does their ability to compete within their industry. The journey from beneficiary to healthy, dignified livelihoods represents growth, resilience, and self-reliance. Through hard work and consistency, these builders have transformed new skills into real impact within their community and a real place at the table.
We are proud of how far they have come, and this is only the beginning!