Next- gen philanthropists seeding into the future of philanthropy.

"Philanthropists must listen if projects are to be tailored to the needs of the community."

Lizza Marie Kawooya’s philanthropy journey started when she volunteered at Delta Education Collective as a community coach in Nwoya district. Here she interacted with young girls who consistently dropped out of school due to the lack of sanitary pads. The need was great, and the time had come to act.

Based on her experiences in Nyowa, Kawooya decided to take a leaf out of the book and do something to empower rural girls, child mothers, and children. She launched the Reusable Menstrual Pads (RUMPS), an advocacy campaign with 12 volunteers. She collects menstrual products and reading materials in Nwoya District through this initiative. Currently, this initiative serves 100 girls and child mothers at Ongai Primary School in Alero subcounty.

In the recently completed lockdown, Kawooya witnessed an outpouring of generosity when she was able to collect over 20,000 books for 20 vulnerable communities through the Books4Friends project, where she is the project manager.

Storytelling is a very powerful tool. It has the potential to rally philanthropists to respond to community causes while also providing a forum for thoughts from those who receive much-needed help and support. This prompted Kawooya to launch a new project called My Voice Podcast.

The platform promotes the sharing of stories and lessons among youth and adolescents about eradicating gender-based violence and achieving gender equality.

Kawooya, as a business development manager at Enjuba - a children's education organization, currently raising funds to support 500 child mothers in the Nwoya district communities of Purungo, Koch lii, Koch Goma, and Lungulu.

"By listening, one can solve the world's most difficult problems." Philanthropists must listen if projects are to be tailored to the needs of the community."

Kawooya hopes to continue occupying spaces and shaping narratives around women's issues and philanthropy, inspired by our very own Jacqueline Asiimwe.

In ten years, Kawooya hopes to be at the forefront of influencing international and national policies and programs that create safe spaces for children and women to speak out against violence.

Story Courtesy of Sunday Vision | 30th January 2022 | Page 26