Students taking part in the ongoing Wavumbuzi Entrepreneurship Challenge have hailed the program for equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and preparing them to enter the workforce, thinking in an innovative way.

The competition is organized by Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy (AGGP).

Focused on developing five entrepreneurial mindsets - drive, resilience, self-efficacy, initiative and innovative thinking-, Wavumbuzi Entrepreneurship Challenge is a free 6-week online gamified learning programme.

Its content is delivered to secondary school learners from senior one to senior six, and offers about 36 micro-challenges. The weekly challenges- aimed to create a memorable experience that is both practical and relevant in real-world scenarios- are announced to participants every week.

The challenge kicked-off last month, and is now about to enter its third week. According to students participating in it, the program has been beneficial.

"Wavumbuzi is unlocking my potential and equipping me with the knowledge and skills to achieve my great desire of becoming one of the best entrepreneurs of this land,” said Audrey, a senior six student at Riviera High School.

David Rwaje, another senior six students at Kagarama Secondary School also applauded the program. "The Wavumbuzi Entrepreneurship Challenge helps us to comprehend the power to partake the skills needed to positively refine the entrepreneurial world,” he explained.

The same view is shared by teachers who are contributing to the program.

"Wavumbuzi is a great opportunity and a platform for me as a teacher and most importantly my students,” said Denis Muhumuza, a teacher of Economics and Business studies.

He added: "It will polish their skills of critical thinking about Entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and prepare them for the challenges of the time in business and avail possible solutions.”

Jean-Claude Nzayisenga, another teacher, also underscored that the program "shapes up teachers into open-minded trainers to train students who are ready to cope with the challenging entrepreneurial world.”

In the first week, 2900 students, 508 teachers, and 250 schools registered for the challenge.

A glimpse on what was covered in week one and two

The first week’s theme emphasized on how the world is constantly changing, while the second week sought to develop a deeper understanding of how one fits into the changing society.

For the first and second week of Wavumbuzi Challenge, organizers say they have seen a great turn-up of teachers and students. 

"We are thrilled to see an average of 300 daily challenge submissions from students in the first two weeks, and we continue to encourage them to submit their challenge for peer reviews, while teachers can moderate the work of students,” reads a statement by organizers.

"Points are up for grabs for students who submit their challenges, and teachers who moderate them,” it adds.

During the challenge, top-performing students, supportive teachers, and schools are being rewarded with weekly prizes. Also, a selection of grand prizes, mainly electronic gadgets, will be offered to best performers on March 31.

Highlighting what to expect in the coming weeks, organizers mentioned that they will expand on the initial themes, with emphasis on overcoming obstacles and developing an unstoppable resilience and drive to achieve success.

Overcoming limited digital resources challenge

Considering that the competition is being held online, there arose concerns of limited digital resources and the effect of Covid-19 on schools, teachers, and students among others.

However, most schools and teachers have managed to overcome them.

"Schools have managed to engage students in the challenge by lobbying for more data, opening computer labs and offered more time to their students over the weekend,” organizers explained.

"Some teachers have assisted students after school hours and shared their personal computers and smartphones with students to help them submit their challenges online under their supervision,” the statement adds.

Wavumbuzi continues into its fourth week, with the theme of this week focusing on problem-solving. Students and teachers are also looking forward to an upcoming pitch competition where they will showcase what they have learnt over the last couple of weeks.