Heading back home to Uganda, after attending the 4th African Philanthropy Conference, I can’t help but be filled with wonder. As I looked at each of the people on the opening panel, who were the hosts of the event, I literally have a story about where I met each of them.
The opening panel consisted of Dr. Stigmata Tenga, the CEO of Africa Philanthropy Network (APN); Ms Mosun Layode, the CEO of the Africa Philanthropy Forum (APF); Mr. Evans Okinyi, the CEO of the East African Philanthropy Network (EAPN); Dr. Ebrima Sall, the CEO of Trust Africa, Prof Bheki Moyo, the Director of CAPSI and Raymond Muchemwa, Executive Manager, Finance and Operations from Southern Africa Trust.
Just a few short years ago, 5 to be exact, CivSource Africa was the new kid on the block. We were new on the African philanthropy scene and knew no one. It was thus interesting to note how I got to know each of the people on the opening panel, people who have each distinguished themselves as key philanthropy players on our continent.
I first met Dr. Stigmata Tenga when I attended an APN members’ forum in Mauritius in November of 2018. The only person I knew in the room was the then Ford Foundation East Africa CEO, Mr. Maurice Makoolo. He was the keynote speaker at the event, and he invited me to sit at his table. I sat between him and Dr. Tenga. Maurice graciously introduced me to Stigmata and that started our friendship. Stigmata has such a warm personality and she welcomed me warmly and called me sister. I hung on her every word and made sure I walked with her during one of the excursions. We kept in touch thereafter. CivSource Africa went on to become a member of APN. Read More