Teddy Akongo grew up with an understanding of the transformative power of the arts and community support. As the co-founder and Director of the WAWERO Foundation, she has dedicated her life to creating a nurturing environment for vulnerable youth in Uganda through music, dance, and specific tailoring. For Akongo, art is more than an expressive outlet, it is an opportunity to bring lasting change. She is also an avid musician and artist herself.
“I am a detail-oriented, proactive, adaptable and strong problem solver and very passionate about music and guitar as an instrument,” Akongo said. “I love community work and engaging/making friends with new people, reading, writing, singing, playing my guitar and thinking about different ideas during my free time. Modeling is an untapped silent hobby that I would wish to pursue with time.”
Growing up in Kampala, Uganda, Akongo pursued a degree in Mass Communication with a major in Public Relations at Makerere University. Before launching Wawero Foundation, she co-founded and worked as an administrator and project coordinator for Clear Wall of Dreams, which focuses on sustainability and recycling materials for construction to create beautiful establishments for the less fortunate living in informal settlements.
In 2017, Akongo faced a turning point in her life. “2017 was a terrible year for me but also a blessing in disguise,” she shared. “I knew I needed to get out of my depression and do something meaningful, and I promised myself that it would be in line with what I am passionate about… MUSIC!”
Through an opportunity of a sponsorship by Dargan Foods, owned by a long-time family friend of Akongo, she was able to study guitar at Kampala Music School. It was there that she realized her passion for teaching and art. This sparked the idea behind the WAWERO Foundation.
“During my study at the Music School, I realized I not only wanted to become a teacher and a performing artist but also be an instrument and vessel of change to a person who might have gone through the same situation as I did or even worse,” she said. “I thought about availing a skills training center that would provide free and affordable services to the community in need.”
Wawero Foundation was established to fulfill this vision, offering skill training in music, dance, and tailoring to young people between the ages of 13 to 25 years old in Kisenyi II Kamwokya, a slum area in Kampala.
“The main challenge I would want to solve is the limited opportunities for skill development,” Akongo explained. “This initiative would not only provide them with new skills and economic opportunities but also foster a sense of community, pride, and empowerment.”
For Akongo, Wawero Foundation is not just about skill development but about transforming lives and creating hope for those who have been left behind. The foundation’s work directly addresses Uganda’s high dropout rates and the financial barriers that prevent many young people from accessing education and vocational training.
“Payment to acquire a vocational training or a skill in music, dance, or tailoring is equally costly,” Akongo noted. “These are the challenges that have led to the increase in school dropouts in Uganda. Wawero Foundation would be the opposite and bring hope to those who have lost hope by skilling the unskilled.”
In addition to her work with Wawero Foundation, Teddy serves as a WASH Program Coordinator with Give Love.org, where she leads projects to improve sanitation and public health in Kyebando, Uganda. Her diverse roles reflect her commitment to community development and social impact.
Yet, the journey of social entrepreneurship has not been without challenges. “Being an entrepreneur is one of the hardest things because if you do not have a business mind and the heart of resilience, then it is the wrong field to be in,” Akongo admitted. The uncertainties and limited resources make the work difficult, but her passion for making a difference keeps her going.
Akongo emphasizes the importance of perseverance, collaboration, and staying true to one’s values. “Take the first step and apply because once you get through, your chances of success are high and the opportunity of learning and developing valuable skills for your personal and social business development is unlimited,” she advised aspiring entrepreneurs.
For the future, Akongo remains steadfast in her mission to transform lives through art, skill-building, and community connection. She continues to lead by example, creating a nurturing environment where vulnerable youth can thrive and realize their potential. Through music, dance, and tailoring, Wawero Foundation stands as a beacon of hope in Kampala’s slums, embodying Teddy Akongo’s vision for a brighter, more inclusive future.
