“I will marry when I want”-Waiswa

Ian Calvin Waiswa

Tell us briefly about yourself and what you do?
I am Ian Calvin Waiswa who is fighting hard to show my significance in the development of the country. You can simply call me a young philanthropist. I am currently the CEO of Students Support Philanthropy Programme (SSPP).
When did you start this initiative?
I started it in Senior Four. As a young man, I had to make hay while the sun still shone. I do not regret the decision. We are currently making a difference in more than 250 households with our Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme six years later.

Do you have a personal life?
Absolutely, everybody does! I am an outgoing person. Regardless of the small things we do for the communities like cleaning water sources, capacity building, and sensitisation on hygiene, I play with my friends and have fun with members of the community

Is your personal life in any way affected by your work?
No it is not. For me, it is another way to build teamwork and connect with the communities. I like the way it works.

How do you juggle the two?
I work according to a set timetable. I wake up very early, by 4am to get ready to go to office and take on the new day. This way, I am able to plan for myself and make sure I do not get overwhelmed with work.
What excites you?
Seeing slum dwellers and the underprivileged living a healthy life is what excites me. Sometimes it is the small basics that get people sick and it is not because of anything but just failure to put things right. When I see their lives changing for the better, my heart leaps with joy.
What would you frown upon?
I am not that fellow you can easily find frowning. When something is not right, I put it right.
Are you married?
No, I am not married. I fear I might not do some of the things I want to do when I get married. I am still waiting, uninterrupted. I will marry when I want (laughs)
Who is your ideal woman?
I want a woman who understands what I do and who will stand with me in all situations. Slay queens are good but can only be at night, not in the morning and the rest of the years.

What is your definition of love?
Love is an effortless feeling that is driven by the desire to fulfil happiness someone or something at a given particular time. I do not really believe in these things.
What do you like about your body?
These are difficult questions for a person who does not focus on themselves. I have grown fond of my beard lately, but I am losing some of my hair. I am very particular with dress code! It communicates a lot, moreso when one is able to dress up and feel comfortable.

About Waiswa
Ian Calvin Waiswa was born in Luuka District. He went to Iganga Boys Primary School and then Kiira College Butiki for both O and A-Level. After A-Level in 2012, he started working with an Ngo in Jinja. This inspired him to lend a hand in the community. He later pursued a Bachelor of Science in Population Studies degree at Makerere University.
““When I joined campus, I realised that people who lived in the slums were languishing in poverty and disease. They did not have someone to guide them. I talked to a few friends and we started reaching out to them. We cleaned their wells, sewage and water sources. This is how the idea of SSPP was born.”