This report provides a comprehensive review of the 2025 Impact Incubator program at St. Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC), made possible by the support of the Richard and Mary Ann Sleece Foundation. Grounded in the mission of "Investing in Human Potential. Incubating Hope," the program was designed to bridge the gap between vocational education and sustainable entrepreneurship for the school's most promising graduates.
The 2025 Impact Incubator pursued three core objectives: supporting Innovation Scholars to thrive post-graduation, fostering self-sustainability for St. Bakhita, and improving the economic prosperity of the Agago District. By providing startup kits, mentorship, and a structured financial model, the program aimed to empower 24 scholars—comprising 13 tailors, 9 hairdressers, and 2 caterers—to transition into impactful community leaders.
Throughout the course of the year, and with the help of both quantitative and qualitative data collection, we believe the Impact Incubator has demonstrated the potential for meaningfully supporting graduates of St. Bakhita. Many gaps and challenges will need to be addressed in order to create a more robust and rigorous program, but the incubator does appear to enable agency and provide additional value to those participants that engaged fully with the program. Despite the operational hurdles of tracking a mobile alumni base, the program has successfully catalyzed sustainable businesses, created employment and training opportunities, led to stronger financial savings practices, and instilled a sense of professionalism and "shared prosperity" among its participants. This foundation allows us to refine our structure for the next cohort, ensuring that SBVTC continues to serve as a beacon of economic hope in the region.
This report compiles some of the key metrics tracked throughout the year, including engagement and repayment rates across the cohort. It also lists key learnings in various dimensions of the program in hopes of providing clear strategies for improving success in future iterations, as well as sharing insights which may support related work and initiatives. Lastly, it highlights some of the individuals who have led, inspired, and shaped the incubator’s progress.