podcast

Our guests in this episode, co-founders of the charity organisation Young Angels Network, Gillian and Daniela are 21 and 16years old. If you find that shocking, wait until you hear how they gathered a team of fellow teenagers to raise 11 million Uganda shillings to create a solution to lack of sanitary pads and access to education for girls in Kasese.

They also share with us the challenges and hardships they've faced, but it is clear that their purpose-driven vision, wisdom at such a young age, and desire to see people smile keeps them motivated to grow in their giving.

It's the conviction and gentle assuredness with which our episode 9 guest, Bright Ntakky, speaks on the topic of generosity and community. He invites us into the world of 'Lovidex', a drive that started as a one-man ride to deliver hope, resources and medication to those in need during and after the first lockdown.

And he takes any chance to remind us that giving is a transformative gift in and of itself.

If you thought generosity and philanthropy are things of adulthood, we are here to debunk that myth! In episode 8 we host our youngest guest yet, 17year old Gino Ndiko, who has made generosity her mission at school, in her neighbourhood and in the plans she has for her future.

One of our favorite things is how much she values community and connection with those she is moved to help. She is building relationships, especially with teens her age, as she grows.

To have a need, identify that need in others and prioritise them by giving of resources and time is a special thing. This is what happened during the first lockdown, when Ivan Okoth a Type 1 diabetic chose to share his insulin and further collect and deliver essential supplies to fellow warriors across the greater Kampala region, using his bicycle.

He joins us in this episode, to tell us about how he powered the design of a distribution system for Type 1 diabetics living through the pandemic, in partnership with the Sonia Nabeta Foundation.

Aisha Ali, founder of Iprofile Foundation, Global Shaker with the World Economic Forum, and a passionate financial literacy coach joins us in episode 6.

Identifying a gap in financial literacy amongst children and refugee communities (two groups whose empowerment she deeply cares for), at 26 years old, Aisha has done extraordinary work to promote money management, saving and investment within these communities.

We were left in awe by her testimonies and tales of transformation!

You can feel the burst of life and energy when this week's guest Dr. Catherine Nagadya speaks about her passion to empower girls through her foundation Girls Unstoppable UG.

Dr. Nagadya put her dream to sponsor the education of one girl from her village to the test, and has grown that vision to 1000 girls. After her own experience watching peers drop out as early as primary school, and the financial strains of education she started where she was with what she had to create a different reality for others. In this episode we go on the journey with her. See more

Michelle Omamteker, Activist, writer and Founder of the Malengo Foundation, takes us on the journey that led her to devote her work to social inclusive development for persons with disability. Amongst other intangible needs that all humans have, which persons with disability are often excluded from.

She sheds light on the fact that African philanthropy should be multidimensional, addressing both immediate and tangible needs, alongside long term personal and systemic needs. Generosity has the power to create an inclusive society. See more

Joanita Anena shares her heart behind starting the Adokorach Foundation, whose goal is to make education easily accessible to children and to show these children that they are not their current situation, they are worth more.

Generosity holds space for our dreams and allows us to see them in our reality. See more

Giving has nothing to do with how much you have, Mathias Walwana, Programs Coordinator at Odur Foundation in Mayuge district, reminds us of this in Episode 2.

He demonstrates the ways in which banding together as a community with whatever resources you can gather, can move mountains and make an impact on those in need. The Odur Foundation has been able to run various programs and charity drives with this kind of giving, alongside the accountability and transparency that goes with it. See more

From donating 76 books to one school in 2014 to becoming a registered NGO that has donated 111,000 books to over 20 schools across Uganda, Brownie Ebal (CEO at Kitabu Buk Project) shows us in episode 1 that change and impact can start here with us. At CivSource Africa, we are dedicated to highlighting and propelling African philanthropy and it's exciting to see that the Kitabu Buk Project Team is living this vision! Young givers are instrumental to changing Africa's narrative and growing generosity alongside leadership in various communities. See more

We are halfway through the year and back with another season of comm-UNITY!

With a focus on Uganda's youth who make up a majority of the population, this season, hosted by Peace Kadondi will feature young people who are using time, talent and treasure to solve problems in their communities.

Follow our weekly episodes, share your thoughts and engage with us here on Anchor or one of CivSource Africa’s various platforms. Read more

It is a full circle moment in the final episode of this season, as Sarah Nekese, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Support Association Uganda (ESAU) join us to tell stories of the ways individuals living with epilepsy have stepped up to help their own.

An individual that stands out is Henry Karutokye, who realised he had epilepsy at 15. He joined ESAU in 1999, and has never looked back, going over and beyond to empower and protect those living with epilepsy and disability in general. See more

Madam Christine Lule aka Jjajja Wa Ba-deaf, whose impactful words are interpreted by Deborah Tibiwa, joins us in episode 11 as we discuss the challenges that those with hearing impairments face.

She has been a key player in advocating and sensitising various families and communities about the disability rights of, and the great potential that should be harnessed within those with hearing impairments.

As she retells stories of the lives and communities she has impacted, she reminds us of the importance of taking this information back to the grassroots and of prioritising breaking language barriers, as communication and community go hand in hand. See more

What didn't kill her, made Peninahh Mukatushabira, Board Member at Vitiligo Association of Uganda, stronger. Living with vitiligo for 15 years she has experienced stigma from all fronts including the disability community. But has chosen to channel her energy towards advocacy for positive living and sensitisation about her condition.

In episode 10 we laugh and chat about her life, her bond with her children, and the work that she does. See more

It is clear as we speak to Mama Alice Kisolo, Founder of SIITA, Nest Mother's Love Homes that in her perspective, no one is beyond redemption.

Having experienced neglect and discrimination herself as a child dealing with mental illness, she shares with us how she got into the work of caring for neglected and at risk children. Trusting that her calling and faith would sustain the work that she has done over the years. And that the training she has passed on will live beyond her. See more

"Nothing about us without us" says Hajira Kaggwa, Councillor and Coordinator at Iganga District Albinism Association. In this episode she shares with us her passion and initiative to ensure that all persons living with disability in Iganga are empowered economically, socially and politically. Breaking down what this looks like for various disability groups.

Her generosity also translates into her stewardship of her role as a leader and representative of women living with albinism. And it is evident that the work she is doing is making a difference in her community. See more

Joel Musana, Founder and Executive director of Foundation of Persons Affected by Dwarfism joins us in episode 7. As he gives us glimpses into his life experiences and the journey to founding FPAD-U, we see the ways in which he has lifted his community members towards independence and advocated for accessibility and respect. We see the privileges that being able-bodied affords one, and the ways in which society can better prioritise reasonable accommodation. See more

The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Awareness Network in Uganda was built out of desire to maintain connection and support amongst mothers whose children were faced with these conditions.

Ruth Nalugya, Executive Director and Founder of the network, shares with us in this episode bits of her own journey as a mother of a child living with disability, and how that has impacted the work that the network does now. She educates us on the conditions, highlights the need to deconstruct gendered roles and shares encouraging words of wisdom. See more

Mr. Bugembe Dick, BOD Chairperson and founder of MADIPHA, joins us in episode 5 as we explore the intersection of persons living with disability and HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Bugembe, with personal experience, started the organization because he saw a gap in support offered to individuals living with disability and HIV/AIDS. He shares with us the journey and growth of the organisation on a mission to provide equal and timely access to information and services. As well as the courage with which he has fought discrimination and showed his peers that they can live positively and independently.

A conversation with Mr. Sejemba Fred, founder of NUDIPU and the radio program 'Ebifu Mubatema', feels very much like a history lesson filled with wisdom, experience, downfalls and triumph.

In this episode he shares with us parts of his journey that led him to Kireka Rehabilitation Center, where he developed his artistry and advocated for the rights of disabled people and improved standard of living. As well as the circumstances that led him to found NUDIPU (National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda), and to advocate for representation of disabled people in Uganda's government and parliament. See more