The Haileybury Society is delighted to share an update from Lizzie Hughes (H 13), Assistant Country Manager for the Haileybury Youth Trust in Uganda. A role the Society has proudly supported with a grant since its inception. Reflecting on a busy and exciting year for the organisation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary of operating in Uganda.

Lizzie joined HYT at a particularly dynamic moment in its journey. Despite being a small team, she describes it as “mighty,” regularly taking on projects that might typically require the capacity of a much larger organisation. Through a combination of expertise, creativity, and dedication, the team continues to deliver projects that are both impactful and rewarding, regardless of scale.

“We often find ourselves taking on projects fit for a sizeable corporate chain, but our humble team brings expertise, creativity and hard work that ensures each project is genuinely enjoyable to work on, regardless of the project size.”

Strengthening Partnerships & Expanding Reach

Over the past year, HYT has strengthened existing collaborations and built new ones. Long-standing partners such as African Revival, working primarily in north-west Uganda, remain central to HYT’s outreach. While newer relationships, including work with the Batwa Development Program in the forested south-west, are already delivering meaningful change for marginalised communities.

One of the year’s standout achievements came in July, when HYT secured a €200,000 contract from German Development Agency GIZ to construct 250 household latrines in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

Lizzie reports: “This project is now in its final stages, with around 80% of the latrines fully completed.”

Innovation Through Sustainable Design

HYT has also been piloting new approaches using its low-carbon building technology. To tackle overcrowding in schools, the team designed outdoor learning spaces that combine tree planting for shade with permanent benches made from sustainable bricks.

“These outdoor learning areas have proved an effective way of utilising space at a cost which enables HYT to maximise financial resources and benefit as many schools as possible,” Lizzie explains.

Building Better Futures

Recent construction projects illustrate HYT’s wide-ranging work, from sanitation facilities in refugee settlements to new homes for Batwa families, replacing extremely basic shelters, and a newly completed office for an NGO focused on women’s entrepreneurship training. The latter was particularly memorable for the team: “We were especially proud of this building as it was the first time we built with this ‘butterfly-style’ roof.”

Contributing to Global Goals

Across the past 12 months, HYT’s work has supported multiple objectives set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including improving sanitation, expanding access to education, promoting sustainable construction, and strengthening livelihoods.

Reflecting on the year, Lizzie’s enthusiasm is clear. For her, and for HYT, the past twelve months have been defined by growth, innovation, and tangible impact. With strong partnerships and a committed team, the organisation looks set to build on this momentum in the years ahead.

To learn more about the Haileybury Youth Trust and its valuable work in Uganda, please visit their website: https://hytuganda.com/