Engaging Erick

Connect Lukomera continues to move forward and grow, following a similar path to the innovative outreach style of Connect, Gulu. Spearheading this development is the new manager at Lukomera: Kilama Erick. Erick was headhunted from Gulu, after gaining years of invaluable experience and insight from being part of the Read for Life team. Here's a chance to meet him: 

SD: So, Erick, you recently started working as Team Leader at Connect, Lukomera. What does this involve exactly?

Erick: In addition to leading and guiding the team of Connect teachers, my three main areas of responsibility are:

1. Leading phonics-based teacher training
2. Supervising and supporting teachers in Connect-supported schools
3. Planning weekly supplementary lessons and school outreaches

SD: What were you doing before working at Connect, Lukomera?

Erick: Before Lukomera, I worked full-time at Connect Gulu as Teacher Trainer, Child Protection Officer & Head of Social Media & Communications for several years.

SD: What do you like about working in education?

Erick: I love the transformation it brings. From my classroom teaching experience, I saw how traditional methods limit children's reading. With phonics, I saw real change and improved reading skills - and it's really powerful to watch learning come to life.

SD: Can you give us an example of witnessing success of the phonics/training work?

Erick: Since rolling out phonics training in selected schools in Luweero, we’ve seen teachers quickly adopt Set 1 sounds of Read for Life's 'Fun of Phonics' curriculum, (written by Jody), and directly implement them in class. That shift has been both immediate and promising.

SD: What are you looking forward to most as Team Leader at Connect?

Erick: I am focused on three things at the moment:

• building a passionate, committed team
• strengthening both teacher training and literacy support for children
• scaling up our mobile library initiative to reach more schools in Luweero District

We have seen the growing success of the mobile library project in Gulu and would like to do the same for Luweero District.

SD: What are the main challenges you face?

Erick: We currently have a pilot project of 31 schools, all chosen by the local education office, so we run our training sessions from specific “centre schools.” Often, teachers from other schools try to join our sessions unexpectedly, but this really strains our resources beyond what we planned! In addition, sometimes the local primary schools in Lukomera are still a bit complacent and suspicious about what we do, but we are constantly showing them how successful the phonics programme is and finding ways to support them in their work.

SD: Where is your family home in Uganda?

Erick: My home is in Atanga Town Council, Pader District, about 55 kilometres from Gulu City, although I grew up in Gulu during the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) insurgency in the early 2000s.

SD: What’s your favourite food?

Erick: Dried eggplant stewed with smoked fish & peanut butter, served with ugali (posho). It’s a comforting, traditional dish which I love!

SD: Which sport do you prefer?

Erick: Personally, I really enjoy swimming. Also, I love watching nature and riding bicycles. The furthest I’ve ridden so far was 56 kilometres, which I managed back in 2020.

SD: Anything else that is interesting or surprising about you?

Erick: Oh yes, I’m definitely the most talkative among my five brothers! They often call me “braggadocious”—probably because I’m a selective listener and quick to judge based on actions rather than words (though I always give a second chance).

Thanks so much Erick. Your family might call you braggadocious, but we love your positive, hopeful and energetic approach to Connect's potential! It is really interesting to have 'met' you in this way. We wish you every success in your new role at Connect Lukomera. (Erick also introduces himself in a short video on SD Facebook & Instagram).