In 2007, when Rock of Ages School was founded, it aimed to bring hope to the children in Mbikko, a community heavily affected by the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Little was known about how the lives of most of these children would unfold, especially for those who had never left the confines of their birth villages.
At the start of this year, we witnessed what was once a dream become a reality. What a year 2024 turned out to be! From the first children registered in 2007 joining university, to competing in national games, and even participating in the country’s premier netball championship, it was a year of remarkable achievements.
On December 30th, 2024, the Rock of Ages U14 Netball team traveled to Kampala to compete in their first-ever tournament recognizing the best netball teams in the country. It was the only school team present at the event. Currently, Uganda is ranked 6th in the World Netball Rankings. The national team stars were in attendance, and the children from Mbikko had the incredible opportunity to meet them.
The journey began at 5:00 AM, traveling to Kampala in the new van generously donated by Next Generation Ministries. By 8:00 AM, the team had arrived.
In the U14 category, there were 24 teams grouped into six pools. Rock of Ages was placed in Group A. They won two games and lost one, securing a spot in the knockout stages. The team triumphed over Railways in the next match and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they were eventually defeated by the champions, Hope for Uganda.
This experience was unforgettable for many of the children, as they cherished every moment and made lasting memories.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making this possible, both financially and emotionally. Invitations to more tournaments and other sports events continue to pour in, and we are being requested to participate in more opportunities.
Thank you, Hands4Uganda, for making this dream a reality.
