Category: <span>Uncategorized</span>

From 20th June 2021the country was again put to a total lock down for 42 days. No public and private transport except for cargo. Curfew time was revised to 7.00pm up to 5.30am daily. Office work reporting was reduced to only 10%, otherwise workers are encouraged to stay and work from home. Better World Uganda is no exception, we are working from home as we wait for more guidance from Government.

During the covid lock-down, get motivated and read the 12 Rules for Life Summary book

From 14th November 2020, as Staff in consultation with the Board of Directors, we resumed work normally from 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. This decision was taken on realization that the COVID 19 pandemic was not to be won so soon. Therefore, we resolved to meaningfully live with it by integrating the SOPs observance in all we do, be it a project, program or an activity.

So, please take note of that change on our work routine as we strive to serve all our stakeholders for a better world.

BETTER WORLD UGANDA IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

As Better World Uganda (BWU) we first went into a total lock down from 20th March, 2020 up to 01st June, 2020 when as Staff we held our first meeting following the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as set by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Government of Uganda (GOU). These included washing of hands with clean water and soap; wearing masks covering the nose and mouth; we also observed social distance guidelines in the sitting arrangement.

In this meeting we resolved to report at our office on every Monday and Friday in a week from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm, mainly to plan and attend to outstanding issues; and sharing staff Pandemic experiences with continued observance of SOPs.

To all our clients and partners, please take note of the change of work at BWU during this COVID-19 Pandemic. We have been forced to depart from our usual 8.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m until further notice. Hence, our mode of work is of “Work safely from home”.

Mr. Birungi K. Desiderius
Executive Director

Better World Uganda
P.O. Box 406
Hoima-Uganda
“Join our hands and our hearts”

Tel: +256 772 426607
Website: www.betterworlduganda.com

Letting go of what does not work and old mindsets

Unlearning raises our regarding what to unlearn. Letting go is a very powerful competence to develop. When combined with clarity of intention, deep listening, awareness and appreciation, letting go is a natural next step.

Even though I came with a strong intention, I should be willing to move on to what works gracefully and let go of my old mindset. Otherwise I would be left with resentment and anger or frustration instead of accomplishment. A good creative person knows what to hold on and what to let go and when to do what.

Letting go is also about flexibility and good judgment. When I what to let go, I can take responsibility for what I can hold onto. When I do not have the freedom to let go, I cannot take accountability for anything.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Appreciation for each other and what you receive

It is always easy for us to find fault with each other and see what is missing or wrong. Unfortunately, focusing on what does not work leads to unleashing failure around us. We have to “unlearn” our patterns of identifying what does not work and intentionally concentrate on appreciating what works however minute that may be. Appreciating a person boosts his/her morale and makes him/her feel good.

I can only appreciate others to the extent that I appreciate myself. So appreciation is also about self acceptance. We rarely appreciate who we are and what we receive because of our conditioned expectations.

By the way, appreciation does not mean that one should accept everything and everybody and be inauthentic about it. Authentic appreciation, on the other hand, allows people to go beyond their own limits.

Curiosity, empathy, and appreciation provide the impetus for people to engage in an activity that is personally challenging and, hopefully, discover their own untapped potential.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Empathy for one another

Awareness and sensitivity are the foundation for empathy and mutual respect. When I begin to be sensitive to body language, the unsaid and motivation behind, that might allow me to inquire further. Once I’m sensitive to where you are and what you want, I begin to see new possibilities that I had never seen before.

Openness, mutual respect and trust are ingredients for a lasting relationship and, of course, for a meaningful conversation. Deep listening, not just to the words but the meaning behind the words, is the foundation for empathetic relationship. Empathy begets more empathy and is the source of creative partnership.

Empathy comes from the heart and engages with the spirit of the relationship. Empathy is the seat of passion, and when mastered, leads to compassion. It is important to let you know that I noticed what you did and such acknowledgement brings each other to higher state of functionality and vice versa. When you acknowledge me I become more sensitive to noticing what I can acknowledge in you.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Awareness of what surrounds you

We don’t leave in a vacuum either personally or organizationally. I’m conditioned by my family, my culture and I’m continually being shaped by the environment that I live in. I use the word “environment” to include everything that is outside of me, and that could influence me. The more I become conscious of what is influencing me, the more I can exercise my judgment and choice. If I’m not even aware of my surroundings and their influence, my intention alone cannot carry me through to accomplishment.

Likewise, an organization to be successful needs to continually be aware of what is going on with its clients, competitors and employees. We have to remember that awareness is about now, not yesterday or tomorrow.

In the personal context, awareness without empathy could lead to arrogance and could be a reason for break down in relationships. We feel valued when we receive the gift of deep listening when somebody else is aware of of our situation.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Clarity of Intention

Most of us know, at some level, what we are going for. Though many a time, we don’t have clarity of our goal. Or our deeper intention behind the actions and goals is not clearly understood or prioritized. In such circumstances, many times, we end up compromising our efforts and that is never a satisfactory solution.

It may be important for us to ask ourselves the following questions to gain clarity: What is it that I am going after? How important is it for me and what am I willing to give up to achieve it? What motivates me? These questions bring to surface some of our assumptions and help us prioritize our actions before we initiate them. If all things are equal, we should go after what gives us energy, and what we are really curious about to explore and learn.

Without a a crystal clear intention, we rarely experience a sense of accomplishment even if our intentions are fulfilled. Once we know what we are going after, we can build a team or work with the team members to focus on what they bring to help us accomplish our goals.

Of course, to work together effectively, clear intention alone is not enough we need to be aware of what is currently going on and build an emphatic partnership with one another. Strategic intent is the key and once we have the key, we can examine our core competences that allow us to fulfill the organizational intent.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

On Jun 27, 2019 12:43, "Birungi K. Desiderius" <betterwrld@yahoo.com> wrote:

Clarity of Intention

Most of us know, at some level, what we are going for. Though many a time, we don’t have clarity of our goal. Or our deeper intention behind the actions and goals is not clearly understood or prioritized. In such circumstances, many times, we end up compromising our efforts and that is never a satisfactory solution.

It may be important for us to ask ourselves the following questions to gain clarity: What is it that I am going after? How important is it for me and what am I willing to give up to achieve it? What motivates me? These questions bring to surface some of our assumptions and help us prioritize our actions before we initiate them. If all things are equal, we should go after what gives us energy, and what we are really curious about to explore and learn.

Without a a crystal clear intention, we rarely experience a sense of accomplishment even if our intentions are fulfilled. Once we know what we are going after, we can build a team or work with the team members to focus on what they bring to help us accomplish our goals.

Of course, to work together effectively, clear intention alone is not enough we need to be aware of what is currently going on and build an emphatic partnership with one another. Strategic intent is the key and once we have the key, we can examine our core competences that allow us to fulfill the organizational intent.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Core Competences for Success

While skills are good to acquire, integrating them into a systemic practice makes one develop new competencies for success. Competences allow one to integrate his/her skills and knowledge in new contexts of work. Six competencies are useful in all stages of your organization and in fact, could be very useful in your personal life as well. When you start something new, keep the six competencies in mind and consciously apply them in your work and life, as soft skills will integrate with your professional skills over time.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda

Expect failures and learn constantly

Learning and Communication are two sides of the same coin. Learning creates the distinctions, and communication enhances them. When you speak mind the impact. Continually adjust what, how much, and to whom you communicate so that you can produce the results you require. We don’t become experts because we talk like them. The smarter we are, the quicker we may be able to pick concepts and ideas from others.
All of us have edges, these are the points where our knowledge is shaky and sometimes we know it. Be aware of your edges and seek assistance. In every role that you play, learn something and gain some new skills or knowledge. Pay attention to what you are learning rather than what does not work. When you demonstrate that kind of “can do” attitude, it get noticed.
Partnering and teaming are the most effective ways to learn. Listen to others carefully and completely when they are trying to help. If your mind is planning on what to say next while others are talking, then you are not listening. Being silent doesn’t mean you are listening. Asking questions and actively integrating what they said with your responses and plans make you a popular team-mate. Each opportunity that you missed listening to others, you lost an opportunity to learn. Curiosity, anticipation, childlike inquisitiveness and willingness to appear ignorant and make mistakes are the qualities that characterize high achievers.

Birungi K. Desiderius
077 2 426 607
Executive Director
Better World Uganda
P. O. Box 406, Hoima-Uganda