Ruth Kato values open communication, encourages her team to share ideas and believes in continuous learning.
She believes that weekly team meetings provide a platform for brainstorming, feedback and shared learn
In the heart of Wakiso, Uganda, the Good Shed Foundation is striving to change lives, one child and family at a time. The foundation, officially registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in 2023, operates under the leadership of the founder and executive director, Ruth Kato.
Driven by passion for social impact and a deep-rooted belief in uplifting the community, Kato’s leadership journey is one of innovation and hope.
Her pivotal moment came in 2003, when she joined SOS Children’s Village Entebbe as a fundraising and sponsorship manager. A year later, she was promoted to village director, a role historically dominated by men.
“The staff, mothers, and children did not know what to call me because past leaders were always male. Eventually, they settled on ‘aunt director,’ and I had to work hard to prove that a woman could lead the village just as well,” she recalls.
This experience not only sharpened her leadership skills, but also strengthened her commitment to nurturing and guiding others. She credits her values, particularly her belief in being a conduit of God’s blessings, as the driving force behind her work.
“We are blessed to bless others. If you see yourself as the end user, your vision is limited. But when you see yourself as a supply channel, you never run out,” she shares.
Kato attended Makerere College School for her secondary school, where she happened to be headgirl in A-Level. She then went to university, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Birth of Good Shed Foundation
In 2019, Kato and two friends started paying school fees for some underprivileged children. Initially, it was a small, informal effort to help children from struggling families, particularly those headed by grandparents.
Over time, however, it became clear that the demand was immense and a structured approach was needed to scale their impact.
“We started the process of registering an NGO in 2020, but progress was slow due to Covid-19. By January 2023, we had finalised the registration and officially launched Good Shed Foundation,” Kato explains.
The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for vulnerable communities by accelerating access to basic social services.
Their flagship initiative, the Education Aid Programme (EAP), currently supports 86 children in school across Wakiso, Kamuli, and Madi Okollo districts. But Kato’s vision does not stop there. The foundation aims to reach at least 600 children by 2034, as part of its 10-year strategic plan.
A holistic approach
One of the key aspects that set Good Shed Foundation apart is its holistic approach to community care. Recognising that many of the children they help come from child or grandparent-headed households, the foundation also provides psycho-social support and essential supplies to elderly caregivers.
Through their annual Elderly Persons Social Event (EPSE), the foundation offers medical camps and distributes food, clothing and other necessities to senior citizens. This integrated approach ensures that both children and their caregivers receive the support they need.
One powerful example of this approach is the story of a single mother of nine children, each from a different father. This woman’s life has been characterised by struggles; from enduring broken relationships to fighting poverty.
These children were out of school and the family lived in a one room with barely enough to survive. The mother survived by roasting maize, which her children would help sell in the evening on the streets.
When Good Shed Foundation’s team visited the family, instead of offering school fees, they decided to provide a more comprehensive solution.
The foundation helped enrol the children in school and invested in a charcoal business for the mother. This support allowed her to earn a steady income, which helped her pay rent, care for her children and avoid pushing them into child labour. This mother’s life is not completely free from hardship, but at least there is hope, and her children are now going to school and receiving medical care.
Stories like this highlight the difference a holistic approach can make. By visiting homes, understanding the full situation, and providing not just school fees, but also other resources, Good Shed Foundation ensures that the children they help do not just go to school but are given the tools to break the cycle of poverty.
This approach ensures sustainability empowerment, something that is often overlooked in traditional charitable efforts.
Additionally, the foundation has taken a proactive role in addressing climate change by working with schools to raise awareness and plant trees in local communities.
In an era where the misuse of aid funds is all too common, Kato is committed to ensuring that every shilling spent by the Good Shed Foundation reaches those who genuinely need it. The foundation conducts thorough home visits to verify the needs of each child they support.
“When we get a list of children, we do not just pay the fees blindly. We visit their homes to assess their living conditions and determine who genuinely qualifies. This way, we avoid cases where scholarships end up benefiting the relatives of school administrators rather than the neediest children,” Kato explains.
A democratic and coaching leader
As a leader, Kato describes her style as democratic and coaching. She values open communication, encourages her team to share ideas, and believes in continuous learning. Weekly team meetings provide a platform for brainstorming, feedback, and shared learning.
“I consult when necessary but trust my gut when making tough decisions,” she says.
Her early career mentor, Sam Bitangaro, instilled in her the importance of diligence, excellence, and hard work, values she continues to uphold.
Looking ahead
Despite the impressive progress made by the Good Shed Foundation in just a few short years, Kato remains focused on the long-term vision. With plans to expand their education aid programme, enhance their elderly support initiatives, and deepen their impact on climate awareness, Kato says the foundation is poised to transform even more lives in the years to come.
For Kato, the journey is as much about personal fulfilment as it is about community impact.
“When I discovered that I was created to support vulnerable people, particularly children, I knew this was my calling,” she reflects.
And with her commitment, strategic leadership, and compassionate heart, Kato believes she is paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for Uganda’s most vulnerable communities.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE…
What is your favourite time
of the day?
Night, because I finally get a chance to rest.
What is one quick thing you
do when feeling stressed, to get relief ?
I walk, I enjoy walking
What is your favourite app on your phone or computer/laptop?
The Phaneero application
Suitable gift for your birthday?
Perfume, specifically one called Gucci Bloom.
https://empowerher.monitor.co.ug/women/open-communication-is-important-kato?preview=true