MP Judith Alyek among 22 Ugandan MPs Who Visited Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) Project on Benchmarking Tour in Kenya
Last Tuesday 29th October, twenty-two Ugandan MPs visited the SHOFCO project on a benchmarking tour, including the Chairperson of the Ugandan Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee, Hon. Judith Alyek, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group and Kole District Woman MP. The colorful visit to SHOFCO Kibera took place on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, and left a lasting impact as the MPs returned with valuable lessons to implement.
During the tour, the MPs explored several projects aimed at uplifting the lives of residents living in the Kibera slums of Kenya. The delegation included members from four different committees of the Ugandan Parliament: Physical Infrastructure, Public Accounts, Equal Opportunities, and Appointments.
Vice Chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee, Hon. Tonny Awany, expressed his admiration for SHOFCO’s accomplishments in Kibera and expressed a desire to replicate similar initiatives in Ugandan slums. Hon. Judith Alyek highlighted the inclusive nature of SHOFCO’s projects, particularly praising the women empowerment programs rolled out in Kibera and across Kenya.
“We have seen SHOFCO’s holistic approach to development: girls going to school, access to free healthcare, safe drinking water, and community organizing platforms,” said Hon. Judith Alyek. “This is incredible; SHOFCO believes in giving opportunities to everyone. This is a take-home lesson for me,” she stated.
Appointments Committee Chairperson Hon. Mugumya Clare was equally inspired by the life story of Dr. Odede, who grew up in the Kibera slums and later founded an organization that impacts over three million people annually. “I’m particularly impressed by Dr. Odede’s life story. We have learned that there is hope where there seems to be none,” Mugumya noted. She also expressed her admiration for the aerial water piping system and indicated her intention to share this experience with Uganda’s Water Minister.
During the tour, the MPs visited the SHOFCO water project, computer lab, library, and the SHOFCO Kibera School for Girls. This marked the second visit for Ugandan MPs to SHOFCO for benchmarking purposes. Recently, MPs from the Gender, Labour, and Social Development Committee also visited SHOFCO to learn how to manage slum environments effectively.
“These include providing clean water, good roads, and affordable education for children. They also conduct economic empowerment programs through skills training, support, advice, and various interventions like industrial cottages,” said Committee Chairperson Rwabushaija Margaret Namubiru during the visit.
Founded by Dr. Odede in 2004 in Kibera, the organization has expanded across Kenya, serving over four million people in 35 counties.
