My name is Niwagaba Ivan, an orphan raised in rural Uganda by my grandparents. Life wasn’t easy. My grandparents, humble farmers, would sell their little agricultural produce to raise my school fees. Sometimes, kind-hearted people added something small to help me stay in school.
I attended rural schools with limited resources—no libraries, no labs, and barely any access to technology. Despite my passion for learning, the digital gap was a constant barrier.
“When I desperately needed a job, I was turned away—not because I lacked determination, but because I didn’t have the basic tech skills required”. That rejection opened my eyes to a deeper issue: many young people from backgrounds like mine are denied equal access to technology and opportunities, keeping them trapped in a cycle of poverty.
But I refused to let that define me. I founded FOYE with a clear mission: to create opportunities for youth in rural Uganda to access education, particularly in technology, STEM, and entrepreneurship. In addition to my personal story, there’s another reason I focused on technology. I never had the chance to develop tech skills myself.
Growing up in a rural area, access to technology and digital tools was limited, and it wasn’t even seen as important for youth. But I knew, even back then, that technology could open doors to a future that wasn’t available to me.
This lack of opportunity for youth in tech is still a reality in many parts of rural Uganda, and I wanted to change that. The importance of technology became even clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools shut down and much of the world moved online, many youth in rural areas were left behind.
They didn’t have access to the internet, devices, or the digital skills needed to continue learning. The pandemic exposed the deep digital divide, and it highlighted the urgent need for youth to have access to technology. Without it, they are at risk of falling further behind in education and missing out on opportunities that could change their lives.
This is why FOYE focuses so heavily on technology. It’s not just about giving youth the skills to navigate the digital world—it’s about giving them the tools to succeed in life.
By equipping youth with technology and STEM skills, we are preparing them for a future where these abilities will be essential in nearly every field. We are empowering them to compete in the global economy, to innovate, and to create solutions that can transform their communities.
For me, FOYE is more than just an organization—it is a movement to redefine what is possible for youth in rural Uganda. My story may have started with personal struggle, but it has grown into a story of empowerment, transformation, and hope for every youth who dares to dream beyond the limitations society imposes on them.
Together, we are building a future where every young person has the chance to rise, thrive, and become a leader in their own right, and where no young person is left behind due to a lack of technology or opportunity.
As a social entrepreneur, in 2024, I was lucky to be selected to join the Western Union Foundation Fellowship—for highly promising entrepreneurs and leaders, primarily from historically disenfranchised backgrounds. This fellowship has shaped me with expert mentorship and skills to find my community, discover my calling, and amplify my social impact through FOYE.