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PSAF Men Listening Conference: Bridging Fathers and Children
The Pompilla S. Agalo Foundation (PSAF) held its 1st Annual Men Listening Conference on April 19, 2025, creating a space for fathers to hear children's experiences while introducing PSAF's empowerment initiatives: Our Voices Now (OVN) and Skill One Child Initiative (SOCI).
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The Heart of Our Mission
Founded by Pompilla S. Agalo, PSAF focuses on empowering students through communication and entrepreneurial skills. The foundation grew from Pompilla's experience as a teacher at Bishop Cipriano Kihangire SSS, where she discovered many students struggling with painful issues including molestation and violence at home.
Our Voices Now (OVN): Creating Safe Spaces
Student Empowerment
OVN provides a safe space for students to share their stories, helping them articulate problems and find solutions through mentorship and creative activities.
Growing Impact
After 8 years of development, OVN now serves over 150 students at BCK, with many alumni continuing to university and beyond.
Addressing Silent Suffering
The program helps students cope with abuse, depression, and anxiety while empowering them to represent other marginalized voices.
Skill One Child Initiative (SOCI): Beauty from Ashes
PSAF's second program teaches students to appreciate African beauty and creativity through crafting. SOCI emphasizes environmental conservation by creating crafts from recycled and locally sourced materials.
The program operates on a scalable model with five distinct tracks, introducing new products as previous ones gain popularity within the community.
Student Voices: Powerful Testimonials
Kamela's Story
"I miss my dad deeply, even though he's alive. His absence has left a huge void. When he was involved, teaching me math, I excelled as the 'math boy' in class. But as I progressed, my performance declined without his presence."
Victoria's Poem
"You bought me gum once, something cheap. I said thanks, but I didn't get what I truly wanted – a hug, a word, a bit of regret. You missed my graduation, my proudest day. The crowd stood, clapped, but you stayed away."
Kia's Gratitude
"Pompilla has been a guiding light in my life. When I was torn between journalism or law, her mentorship helped me find my path. She's more than a mentor - she's a mother figure and a sister."
The Role of Father Figures
Keynote speaker Pastor George Kasirye emphasized that every man is a potential father figure, not just to biological children but to any child in need. He referenced Father John Scalabrini's influence on Pompilla as testament to the impact one person can have on children's lives.
"Anyone who can reach out to the heart of a child, can have that child. You cannot reach out to the pain, deeply rooted in the heart of a child until you win over the heart. It is an intentional journey."
Understanding the Heart of a Child
Trust & Openness
Parents must create a safe environment for comfortable engagement of thoughts and feelings.
Healing & Support
By reaching out, parents can recognize and address unhealed emotional wounds.
Generational Impact
The emotional health of children has broader implications for future generations.
Influencing Development
Simple daily acts of love create pathways for bonding and imparting lifelong values.
Support PSAF's Mission
To scale OVN and SOCI into other schools, PSAF needs community support. You can help by purchasing SOCI crafts and bulk copies of "The Faces in Their Eyes" memoir written in honor of Fr. John Scalabrini.
Each book purchase helps fund OVN programs at PSAF member schools, with copies priced at 65,000 Ugx.