{"id":9076,"date":"2025-07-24T01:03:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T22:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/?p=9076"},"modified":"2025-12-15T10:05:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T07:05:08","slug":"from-peer-learner-to-community-leader-andrews-journey-with-the-she-soars-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/?p=9076","title":{"rendered":"From Peer Learner to Community Leader: Andrew\u2019s Journey with the SHE SOARS Project"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Andrew Ntabwoba, a vibrant young man from Kampala, is now a peer educator at Kisugu Health Center, a role he holds with pride and purpose. His journey began in 2021 when a friend encouraged him to join the SHE SOARS Project, implemented by ROM with funding from the Government of Canada through CARE Uganda. That simple referral would become a turning point in his life.<\/p>\n<p>Initially joining to learn more about his own health, Andrew quickly became an active member of his youth group which later evolved into a savings group. Taking on the role of treasurer, he began to develop leadership skills and a deeper sense of responsibility. \u201cIt was the best decision I ever made,\u201d Andrew reflects. \u201cThat\u2019s when my life truly began to change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A key influence in his transformation was his mentor, Anthony, a peer educator who taught Andrew the power of self-confidence. Inspired by this support and the knowledge gained through project trainings, Andrew decided to follow in Anthony\u2019s footsteps. Today, he educates and mentors young people at Kisugu Health Center, helping them make informed, healthy choices.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve helped ten of my friends stop using drugs and turn away from violence,\u201d Andrew shares with pride. \u201cIt all started when someone believed in me.\u201d Anderew said.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew\u2019s journey hasn\u2019t been without challenges. He became a young father early in life, but with unwavering support from his mother, he embraced his responsibilities. \u201cShe stood by me,\u201d he said. \u201cThat gave me the strength to own my actions and support the mother of my child.\u201d Now, Andrew uses his personal experience to counsel his peers, urging them never to deny responsibility but to support young women in any way they can.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond his work at the health center, Andrew helps run a small food business formerly owned by his mother-selling meat and local dishes by the roadside each evening in Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb. It\u2019s another way he supports himself and builds his independence.<\/p>\n<p>Recently elected as the Youth Chairperson in his community, Andrew is stepping into a larger leadership role. He\u2019s planning to grow his business next and continues to inspire others with his big message:<br \/>\n\u201cYoung people, never underestimate your ability to succeed\u2014everything is possible.\u201d Anderew added. \u00a0Andrew is one of the many youths that SHE SOARS has supported in Nakawa and Makindye Divisions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Andrew Ntabwoba, a vibrant young man from Kampala, is now a peer educator at Kisugu Health Center, a role he holds with pride and purpose. His journey began in 2021 when a friend encouraged him to join the SHE SOARS Project, implemented by ROM with funding from the Government of Canada through CARE Uganda. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1,38],"tags":[112],"class_list":["post-9076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-newsletter-issues","tag-newsletter-april-june-2025"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9076"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9543,"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9076\/revisions\/9543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reachoutmbuya.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}