Hope And Empowerment Hub

13/08/2026

🌱 Africa Permaculture Support Network (APSN) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — Weekly Update 🫶
🌍 Growing Resilient Communities Together

📍 Lee Vayle (Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda)

🏢 Hope & Empowerment Hub
📅 Thursday, August 13, 2026

👉 Support this work here:
https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

Hello dear friends and supporters 🙏💛,

Since my last update, I have been trying to stay connected with the students and keep the Youth Rising Program moving forward. Unfortunately, we have not been able to hold regular practical computer or photography lessons because we no longer have access to the equipment we were borrowing.

The students are still interested. Some continue asking me when we will start learning computers again. Hearing this encourages me because it shows that even after this long interruption, they have not forgotten about the program or lost their desire to learn.

I have also been reaching out to different people and organizations looking for help with equipment and other resources. I have made some new connections, but so far we have not received equipment or funding that would allow practical training to restart.

Personally, I am doing okay, but honestly it has not been easy. It is difficult knowing that the students want to learn while I do not currently have the tools needed to teach them. I am trying to stay patient, positive, and continue looking for solutions rather than allowing the program to stop completely.

Our biggest priority remains equipment. We need several laptops so students can actually practice during computer lessons instead of only watching the trainer, as well as cameras for hands-on photography training. We also still need a stable community learning space where students can meet consistently.

Current Needs

🏢 Program Needs

💻 Laptops for computer training: $300–$500 each

📸 Cameras for photography training: $400–$800 each

✏️ Training materials and stationery: $30–$50 per month

⚙️ Operational Needs

🏫 Community learning space: $50–$100 per month

📶 Internet and communication: $20–$30 per month

🚌 Transportation and operational support: $20–$40 per month

❤️ Personal Needs

🍲 Food and household expenses: $50–$90 per month

Having even the basic equipment available again would allow us to begin rebuilding regular practical training. I remain hopeful that we will find a way forward so these young people can return to learning and continue developing their skills and confidence.

Thank you for continuing to follow our journey and stand with us through both progress and difficult periods.

With gratitude,

Lee Vayle
Founder, Hope & Empowerment Hub

👉 Support this work here:
https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

👉 Follow Africa Permaculture Support Network - APSN

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584476080233&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Thank you for standing with Hope & Empowerment Hub. 🙏💛

🌍 Many hands make light work.

26/06/2026

🌱 Africa Permaculture Support Network (APSN) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — Weekly Update 🫶
🌍 Growing Resilient Communities Together

📍 Lee Vayle (Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda)

🏢 Hope & Empowerment Hub
📅 Monday, June 22, 2026

👉 Support this work here:
https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

Hello dear friends and supporters 🙏💛,

This week I continued meeting with some of the students even though we were not able to continue our normal computer and photography training. Around 10 students came to participate, and I really appreciated that they still showed up because it demonstrates their continued desire to learn.

Since we did not have access to a laptop or camera, I did not want the students to come only to return home disappointed. Instead, we spent time together through games, discussions, and encouragement. We talked about computers, photography, leadership, teamwork, and the importance of never giving up on our dreams, even when circumstances become difficult.

Personally, this week has been challenging. I am encouraged by the students' commitment, but I also feel concerned because I currently have no access to a laptop or camera for training. Before, I could sometimes borrow equipment, but that is no longer possible.

One moment especially touched me this week. One of the students asked me, "Teacher, when are we going to start learning computers again?" It was not easy to answer because I truly want to continue the lessons, but at the moment I have no laptop or camera available. Even so, the students told me they are ready to return as soon as the training begins again. That gave me hope that they have not given up.

Another continuing challenge is that Hope & Empowerment Hub still does not have a permanent community learning space. We continue searching for temporary places to meet, making it difficult to organize activities consistently.

Since our Givebutter campaign launched, we have not yet received support that would allow us to obtain the equipment needed to restart practical computer and photography training. We remain hopeful that someone will help us provide these opportunities for the students.

Current Needs

🏢 Program Needs

💻 Laptop for computer training: $300–$500

📸 Camera for photography training: $400–$800

✏️ Training materials and stationery: $30–$50 per month

⚙️ Operational Needs

🏫 Community learning space: $50–$100 per month

📶 Internet and communication: $20–$30 per month

🚌 Transportation and operational support: $20–$40 per month

❤️ Personal Needs

🍲 Food and household expenses: $50–$90 per month

Thank you for continuing to follow our journey and for believing in the potential of these young people. Your encouragement and support help give them hope that brighter opportunities are still ahead.

With gratitude,

Lee Vayle
Founder, Hope & Empowerment Hub

👉 Support this work here:
https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

👉 Join our community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/africapermaculturesupportnetwork/

Thank you for standing with Hope & Empowerment Hub. 🙏💛

🌍 Many hands make light work.

19/06/2026

Learning doesn't stop because the classroom is outside. 💻🌱

These amazing young people in Nakivale Refugee Settlement continue building their computer skills, one lesson at a time. Every training session brings new confidence, new knowledge, and new opportunities for the future.

Seeing their excitement to learn reminds us that talent is everywhere when young people are given a chance to grow.

15/06/2026

🌱 Africa Permaculture Support Network (APSN) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — Weekly Update 🫶
🌍 Growing Resilient Communities Together

📍 Lee Vayle (Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda)

🏢 Hope & Empowerment Hub
📅 Monday, June 15, 2026

👉 Support this work here:
https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

Hello dear friends and supporters 🙏💛,

This week we were able to hold one training session with approximately 15 students. The students were very happy and excited because we had gone almost two weeks without learning due to challenges accessing the materials needed for training.

During the session, we continued practicing computer skills and photography. At this stage, the students need more practical experience than theory, so every opportunity to meet and learn together is very important.

The students continued practicing typing and basic computer skills. I was encouraged to see that some of them are becoming more confident using the keyboard compared to when they first started. During the photography session, students practiced how to hold the camera correctly and how to take photos from different angles. Many of them especially enjoy the photography activities and were excited to have another opportunity to practice.

Personally, I am doing okay and trying to stay positive. Seeing the students excited to learn continues to give me strength and motivation to keep moving forward.

The challenges remain mostly the same. We still do not have enough learning materials and equipment for the students. At the moment, we are only able to hold one training session each week even though our goal is to provide two sessions per week.

We are still using the same borrowed laptop and camera. Previously, I paid a friend approximately $5 per training session to allow students to use the equipment. Unfortunately, he is no longer in Nakivale. Now it is becoming more difficult because people are asking approximately $10 per training session to borrow similar materials. These costs make it harder to provide consistent opportunities for students to practice.

Another major challenge is the lack of a permanent learning space. Hope & Empowerment Hub does not yet have its own community center or training facility. We often depend on temporary spaces, which makes scheduling and conducting training sessions more difficult. This affects student progress because regular practice is essential for building confidence and developing skills.

Current Needs

🏢 Program Needs

💻 Laptops for computer training: $300–$500 each

📸 Camera for photography training: $400–$800

✏️ Training materials and stationery: $30–$50 per month

⚙️ Operational Needs

🏫 Community learning space / training center: $50–$100 per month

📶 Internet and communication: $20–$30 per month

🚌 Transportation and operational support: $20–$40 per month

❤️ Personal Needs

🍲 Food and household expenses: $50–$90 per month

Thank you for continuing to follow our journey and for supporting opportunities that help refugee youth learn practical skills, build confidence, and create brighter futures.

With gratitude,

Lee Vayle
Founder, Hope & Empowerment Hub

👉 Support this work here:
https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

👉 Join our community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/africapermaculturesupportnetwork/

Thank you for standing with Hope & Empowerment Hub. 🙏💛

🌍 Many hands make light work.

12/06/2026

📸 Learning Through Curiosity

One of my favorite things during photography training is watching students discover something new for the first time.

Many of the young people in our Youth Rising Program had never touched a camera before joining the training. At first, they are often nervous and unsure of themselves. But after a few minutes, curiosity takes over.

This week, the students spent time exploring how a camera works, practicing different angles, and helping each other understand the controls. What impressed me most was how quickly they began learning from one another.

Moments like this remind me that education is not only about equipment or technology. It is also about confidence, teamwork, and giving young people the opportunity to discover what they are capable of.

Every new skill learned today can become an opportunity tomorrow.

🌱 Hope & Empowerment Hub
📍 Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda

06/06/2026

🌱 Africa Permaculture Support Network (APSN) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization — Weekly Update 🫶
🌍 Growing Resilient Communities Together

📍 Lee Vayle (Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda)

🏢 Hope & Empowerment Hub
📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026

👉 Support this work here: https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

Hello dear friends and supporters 🙏💛,

Welcome to my first APSN weekly update. My name is Lee Vayle, founder of Hope & Empowerment Hub in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Through our Youth Rising Program, we help refugee youth develop digital skills, photography skills, and confidence for the future.

This week, we continued engaging students through practical lessons in computer basics, Microsoft Office, and photography. We currently have approximately 18–22 students enrolled in the Youth Rising Program, and about 15–18 students participated in activities this week.

Students practiced typing, creating documents, and learning basic camera handling skills. I also spent time documenting activities through photos and videos so we can track student progress and share updates with supporters.

One of the biggest challenges this week was rain. We planned four training sessions, but only one session was fully completed. Three sessions were interrupted or canceled because of heavy rain. Since we do not have a permanent indoor learning space, weather can quickly disrupt our activities.

Another challenge is equipment. The program currently does not own any laptops or cameras. This week, students shared one laptop and one camera that were generously borrowed from a friend who supports the program. We are very grateful for this assistance because without it, practical training would not be possible. However, the equipment is only available when the owner is able to lend it, making consistent training difficult.

Personally, I am doing well and trying to remain positive. Seeing the students eager to learn gives me motivation to continue despite the challenges. At the same time, balancing family responsibilities and program leadership can sometimes be financially difficult.

One student who encouraged me this week is Brian. When Brian first joined the program, he had never touched a computer before. Recently, he successfully opened Microsoft Word, typed a short document, and saved it by himself. He was very happy and kept smiling because it was the first time he had completed the entire task independently. Moments like this remind me why this work matters.

Current Needs

🏢 Program Needs

📸 Training camera: $400–$800

💻 2–4 laptops for digital skills training: $600–$900

⚙️ Operational Needs

🏫 Stable learning space: $50–$100 per month

📶 Internet and communication: $20–$30 per month

🚌 Transportation support: $20–$40 per month

❤️ Personal Needs

🍲 Food and household expenses: $40–$60 per month

Thank you for believing in the potential of refugee youth and for supporting opportunities that help young people learn, grow, and build brighter futures.

With gratitude,

Lee Vayle
Founder, Hope & Empowerment Hub

👉 Support this work here:
https://givebutter.com/hope-empowerment-hub

👉 Join our community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/africapermaculturesupportnetwork/

🌱 APSN
Many hands make light work.

04/06/2026

26/05/2026

Learning under the open sky. 🌱📸

With limited resources but unlimited determination, these young learners in Nakivale Refugee Settlement continue discovering creativity, confidence, and new possibilities through photography and digital skills training.

Every outdoor session becomes more than a class. It becomes a space where children learn to express themselves, work together, and see their future differently.

The challenge remains access to enough equipment and stable learning spaces, especially during rainy days, but the passion to learn continues growing stronger.

At Hope & Empowerment Hub, we believe practical education can transform lives one session, one skill, and one opportunity at a time.

11/05/2026

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, create, and dream beyond their current circumstances.

These moments from our photography training sessions at Hope & Empowerment Hub show refugee youth discovering creativity, confidence, and practical digital skills through hands-on learning. What begins with one camera can become a pathway toward income, self-belief, and opportunity.

Despite challenges like limited equipment, unstable learning spaces during rain, and a shortage of laptops and cameras, the passion to learn continues growing stronger every week.

We are committed to building practical education that empowers refugee youth and teenage mothers with skills that matter in real life.

Support, partnership, and shared opportunities can help us reach even more young people in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. 🌱📸

01/05/2026

Yesterday in Nakivale, learning didn’t happen inside walls it happened under the open sky.

With one laptop shared between many, curiosity became the classroom. Questions turned into discovery. And for many of these young learners, it was more than just a session it was a first step into a world they’ve never had access to before.

This is the reality we work in at Hope & Empowerment Hub. Limited tools, but unlimited determination.

Every smile you see here is a sign of something bigger: confidence growing, minds opening, and futures slowly taking shape.

But the truth is, one laptop is not enough.

With more support, more equipment, and a stable learning space, these moments can become consistent opportunities not rare experiences.

We are not just teaching skills.
We are building possibility, one session at a time.

If you believe in this vision, this is where your support can make a real difference.