Giving Stories Blog

Geraldine Opoka is the founder of the Soul Foundation and is deeply committed to mental health. She is also known for her zumba dance classes, which have helped middle-aged women "feel sexy and beautiful again" since 2014. In 2017, she performed her dance for the staff and patients of Butabika Hospital, establishing a relationship with the hospital.

The term Qweshunga has its roots in a Runyankore word “Okweshunga” which literally translates to “to play”. Qweshunga is a social enterprise that provides an inspirational and safe space for adults to play to improve their learning, healing and lives. The enterprise, led by Penelope Sanyu hosts an annual Qweshunga event every Independence Day on 9th October.

In 2004, with only 1,500 participants, MTN, a giant telecommunications company organized a marathon to fundraise and give back to the communities in which the company operated. Seventeen (17) years down the road, an estimated 25,000 people from Uganda and beyond participated in the recently concluded MTN marathon themed Run for Babies; a campaign aimed at curbing neonatal and infant mortality through supporting the improvement of maternal health facilities.

The 11th edition of the run saw over 40,000 participants gather to increase awareness for the continued battle against the disease.

It is a common occurrence to experience or hear stories of patients spending nights outside wards because the facilities cannot accommodate them or that the personnel cannot attend to them in time. When it comes to terminal illnesses such as cancer, they require expensive equipment and medical attention.

NAKASERO HOSPITAL STAYS TRUE TO ITS PLEDGE.

The hospital has been true to its partnership with Nyaka, a non-profit organization that has dedicated itself to nurturing and protecting children so they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Nakasero hospital was established in March 2009 with the mission of using the expertise of highly skilled Ugandan consultants to offer high-quality, low-cost healthcare to the people of Uganda. It has a proven track record of making it easier for those who otherwise would have to travel abroad for medical treatment to access high-quality care close to home.

NAROHO STEPS IN TO SUPPORT SCHOOL CHILDREN

It is unfortunately usual for students in some rural areas to trek many miles to school with only the uniforms they are wearing, and the minimal school supplies their families can afford. Parents of these children often forego provision of footwear in order to provide the immediate essentials for their education. Over 30 pupils in the Rubanda district of the Kigezi sub-region now own brand new, authentic Ugandan-made shoes, all thanks to Naroho Uganda.

By WOMEN’S PRO BONO INITIATIVE

The organization joined other civil society actors in providing much needed food relief in the region.

Karamoja, Uganda's most impoverished region, has lately been hit by one of the worst droughts in its history, with a poverty rate of 66% (more than three times the national poverty average). A food crisis or worse is occurring in all nine districts of Karamoja: Abim; Amudat; Kaabong; Karenga; Kotido; Moroto; Nabilatuk; Nakapiripirit; and Napak.

Women and victims of gender-based violence have been given the means to reclaim their personal and financial independence and become entrepreneurs.

For a long time, domestic violence has been a widespread problem around the world, and it is almost exclusively motivated by gender. Throughout history, women have been the primary victims of this violence, and Uganda is no different. The husbands of impoverished women often mistreat their wives, and young adolescent girls are married off in an illegal attempt to gain wealth for the family.

#OmutimaOmugabi #KutoaNiMoyo

Their annual football competition dubbed ‘5 Aside Ug’ was held to raise funds for their first ever children’s resource center.

40 Days over 40 Smiles (simply known as 40-40) is a volunteer-based, charity organization that was established in 2012. It supports underprivileged children and communities to improve their learning outcomes while equipping them with life skills. Over the years, they have worked with over 3,000 children through various interventions such as ICT training, soap making and handcrafts such as the production of bags.

Reach a Hand Uganda donates relief items to teenage mothers.

#OmutimaOmugabi #KutoaNiMoyo

At a time when the majority of the country is still struggling with the effects of the Covid-19 lockdown, which has now been compounded by the ongoing global economic crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, parents and those with dependents have been among the hardest hit. It has disproportionately impacted young adolescent moms, who have seen an increase in healthcare costs, food prices, and the expense of education. Fortunately, some Ugandans will no longer have to do it alone.

#OmutimaOmugabi #KutoaNiMoyo

Hikers took to the countryside to champion dignified menstrual health.

Raising Teenagers Uganda (RTU) is a non-governmental organization which was founded in 2014 with the purpose of empowering girls in Uganda by keeping them in school and out of child marriages. It focuses on building skills and knowledge on assertiveness, communication skills, menstrual hygiene management, reproductive health, and provides career guidance and counselling services.

#OmutimaOmugabi #KutoaNiMoyo

The Remnant Generation organized a Father’s Day run to fundraise money for their Safe Motherhood Spaces initiative.

Teenage pregnancies in Uganda increased astronomically as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, with many girls being quarantined at home and thus falling victim to defilement.

The yearly marathon was held under the theme “Men against AIDS to Save the Girl Child”, with the aim of continuing to create awareness about HIV/AIDS.

The Kabaka Run is an annual marathon that is held in celebration of the King of Buganda Kingdom’s birthday, although for the past two years it had been put on hold to prevent the massive spread of Covid-19.

Nankunda is a counsellor and teacher who has spent the last 16 years working with students and their families in schools and in the community. Raising Teenagers-Uganda, the non-profit she founded and directs, and works with to create safe spaces for young people aged 10 to 18, with a particular emphasis on menstrual hygiene management for girls and the provision of guidance and counselling for young people in schools and communities.

The advancement of social justice and the practice of philanthropy both require that people with disabilities be included in these endeavors. Reach a Hand Uganda has been an advocate for disability inclusion in Uganda for a long period of time. Humphrey Nabimanya, the founder of Reach a Hand Uganda, wrote a LinkedIn post in which he discussed the difficulties faced by people with disabilities in Uganda.

Traditionally, bridal showers have been thrown by the bride's closest friends to shower her with gifts and congratulate her on her upcoming nuptials. For her bridal shower, Pinkie Ruguga decided to launch a campaign that would shower orphans with food, school supplies, sanitary pads, and other necessities to during the Easter season.

Pinkie Tynna Ruguga is a daughter to the Late Ruguga an international marathon medalist born in Kabale in Western Uganda. Being an orphan herself, she was moved to give back to orphans and young Athletes in Kabale to give them hope for the future.

Throughout the month of May, Moses Rutahigwa the Head Consumer, Private Business Banking at Standard Chartered Bank diligently participated in the #2022HomeRun alongside his colleagues.

While this run kept them physically and mentally healthy, it also fundraised for a greater cause: the Futuremakers. The Futuremakers is a global initiative run by Standard Chartered Bank that focuses on dealing with inequality and promoting greater financial inclusion in communities. Through this program, disadvantaged people, especially girls and visually impaired people are equipped with new skills to improve their chances of getting a job or establishing their own business.

The holy month of Ramadhan was awash with generosity. Ramadhan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar in which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for 30 days.

The most common expression of generosity during the holy month is often food parcels to support families, communities that do not know where their next meal will come from.

Tororo Cement Limited gave food items to the Muslim community in Nagongera, Soni, Iyolwa and Malaba town councils.

Embracing Corporate social responsibility (CSR) to generate entrepreneurial solutions that solve community needs.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is being embraced by businesses in new, creative and innovative ways.

Corporate social responsibility as we know it is taking many creative shapes and forms. Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited while announcing its financial results for the year 2021 shed a spotlight on their sustainability agenda.

Airtel Uganda donated medical equipment to Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB). The said bureau is the medical arm of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. Airtel Uganda, a telecom company keen on giving back to community donated medical equipment including 13 delivery beds, 13 oxygen cylinders (inclusive of oxygen), 13 oxygen regulators with humidifier bottles and 13 digital weighing scales for babies. Alongside the medical equipment came 500 MAMA kits and food items for expectant mothers in the selected health facilities.