M -LISADA

MALARIA HEALTH

OUTREACHES CULTURAL

GALA HIKING

TRIP

LIBRARY BRASS FOR CHILDREN AFRICA’S GOING TO THE CHRISTMAS ZOO FUN DAY

NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER - DECEMBER

2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS ...... 3

CULTURAL GALA ...... 4

FORMER M-LISADA CHILDREN JOINING THE BRITISH ARMY ...... 6

MALARIA HEALTH OUTREACHES ...... 8

LIBRARIANS LEVEL TWO WORKSHOP ...... 9

INSTAGRAM ...... 10

BRASS FOR AFRICA’S CHRISTMAS FUN DAY ...... 11

LIBRARY CHILDREN GOING TO THE ZOO ...... 13

WORLS AIDS DAY IN KALANGALA ...... 14

KAMPIRINGISA ...... 15

M-LISADA SPREEUWEN HIKING TRIP ...... 16

VISITORS AND FUNCTIONS ...... 18

CHRISTMAS PARTY ...... 23

2

DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS

Letter from Emilly will be following

3

CULTURAL GALA

On 1st of November our M-LISADA cultural gala took place at Nsambya Sharing Hall. To fundraise money for renovating the Dreamhouse, which is a home to fifteen young adults from the age of sixteen and above, this one was built up greater than any cultural gala before. To achieve an optimal outcome, we have hired some of the best drama, vocal and dance coaches, who were doing everything possible to put on a successful production. Everyone was busy throughout the whole October training, planning and preparing everything for the upcoming event. On the final date visitors enjoyed a lot of culture, as well as learning more of the amazing history of M-LISADA. Over 100 children and young adults performed that day and gave their hearts for it. Dancing, drumming, singing and acting were joined by M-LISADA Senior Brass Band and acrobatics team. All together, they were functioning as a great play. The guests were astonished by the performances. We are happy to say that everyone enjoyed the evening together. For dinner all the performers joined the audience and we shared and enjoyed. Each staff member of M-LISADA gave everything to make this event unforgettable, as well as many service providers and trainers. A special thanks goes to teacher Bagonza, Collin, Reagan and Musa who sacrificed a lot of their time, energy and commitment. We want to thank everyone, who joined that event and donated for renovating our Dreamhouse, for making this evet a success.

4

5

FORMER M-LISADA CHILDREN JOINING THE BRITISH ARMY

It is an honour to have four of M-LISADA’s own join the British Army Corps of Army Music. Success takes a lot of determination, courage and focus. Our M-LISADA family celebrates four young men who have made us very proud of their great achievements. Julius Namugera, Bruce Akampulira, Emmanuel Bogere and Disan Ssegawa. It’s been twelve years since they were rescued from the slums of Katwe and began their music career with M-LISADA Organization. The young men gave their best to learn music from dedicated music teachers at M-LISADA. During this time, they not only became great musicians, they became great role models and leaders for other children to look up to and follow.

We used Music to build them up, but we did not ignore their formal education. When it comes to M-LISADA it is always a team and family effort. Thanks to our Sponsors, Susan and Jim who sponsored Julius until his last qualification in Sound Engineering. We would also like to thank our community, the school our children studied from and all the sponsors who gave their support to us to educate these young men. Ten years ago, Uncle Bosco met Jim Trott the founder of Brass for Africa who was inspired by how the young men played music and were happy although they had nothing. Jim Trott became a part of us, he begun to support our organization with the help of Brass for Africa. In the transition of Brass for Africa as a charity some of our brass players

6 were given the opportunity to become Brass teachers. Our young adults had the opportunity to take the next step as a musician in life. Together they attended different mentorship program in Music by and with professional musicians like Alan Fernie, Stewart Drummer, Chris Fower, Alison Balm and many others. Our children have been blessed with musicians around the world that visited our charity and performed with them. M-LISADA is very proud of the partnership we have with Brass for Africa. It would be very difficult for these young men to achieve this opportunity if the following did not give their best. Big thanks to Lizzie Burrowes who prepared them for music auditions, Andrew Agassi who did the legal work, Loise Agassi for the fitness exercise, Ronald Kabuye who has been a leader to these men right from their childhood and the team in the UK. We are excited to see that our young men are the first Ugandans to join the British Army Corps of Army Music. Thanks to M-LISADA Management. Together we will continue to inspire and support more children through our Music, Psycho-Social Support, Life skills and Education. Indeed, Music to the Rescue.

7

MALARIA HEALTH OUTREACHES

During the week from 11th to 15th November 2019 we organized three malaria health outreaches in different communities of Katwe. Our main objectives were to sensitise and create awareness in the community about how to fight against malaria, to test and provide treatment to malaria victims and to control future infections. We reached out to 530 people both male and female from Nabisalu, Nkere and Katakana zones. They were all tested, and we provided treatment to 192 people who had malaria and given out 493 mosquito nets. Our nurse gave a special attention to our expectant mothers who had different health issues and needed advice. Great thanks go to InterKultura organization for their support towards community health outreaches. Your support makes a difference and may help saving lives. No child should die of malaria.

8

LIBRARIANS LEVEL TWO WORKSHOP

In the week of 11th of November 2019 M- LISADA’s library staff attended the Book Heaven’s Level two workshop for librarians working with children. The Training was facilitated by Book Aid International through UgCLA. At Grand Imperial Hotel they were taught about serving children with special needs in the library, understanding gender issues when working with children, developing a library collection development policy, strategies to overcome shared challenges and many more. We appreciate and thank Book Aid for the great opportunity that was given to our librarians.

9

INSTAGRAM

In times of the digital age, promoting an organisation online is not only about having a website, but more and more also about social media. As already being active on facebook, M-LISADA decided to increase their number of followers by adding in another platform. Here we are now, find us on Instagram! On our account @mlisada_org we will be posting amazing shots of performances and any activities at M- LISADA. Follow us and don’t miss out!

10

BRASS FOR AFRICA’S CHRISTMAS FUN DAY

On the 5th of Decmber all M-LISADA Brass band joined the celebration of Brass for Africa’s Christmas funday. More than 500 young musicians appeared, and every band got the chance to perform in front of that great audience of the other brass bands. Furthermore, there have also been some music competitions between the best players of each band. Our community band, that consists of 16 children at the of 6 to 16 played a piece called “Nalya”. The M-LISADA Junior Brass Band also joined the celebration. The audience was completely blown away by their performance, as they really enjoyed playing and even had a little choreography. Out of the Junior Band we even had a winner. Trevor, who is 11 years old won a trophy. He has competed against 10 other contestans and made M-LISADA so proud. 11

The M-LISADA Senior Brass Band was as well lucky to join the event. Two of their members, Mathias and Stephan got to win trophys for their solo performances of Alan Fernie’s music oiece “Sharondo” and the Waltz for Gilbert. They made M-LISADA so proud. As last band to play, the Senior Brass Band performed “Sunrise” by James Trott. It was a lovely closing song to that exciting day. Congratulations to Joseph and Confidence who have been the Soloists in that performance. Every member, every child of M-LISADA has made that day unforgettable, has expressed M-LISADA Power and made us so proud. A big thanks goes to Brass for Africa for make all that happen!

12

LIBRARY CHILDREN GOING TO THE ZOO

Before Christmas, our librarians planned a special event for the community children. On Friday the 29th of November 2019 we went to the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre to see and learn somethings about lions, snakes, rhinos and others. Everyone was excited. They spent the whole day at the zoo and enjoyed the guided tour as well as having lunch together and playing at the lake side. Penny Mercy (9 years old) and Kangume Rose (13 years old) are were happyto be part of that trip. Read about their experiences: “The trip to the zoo was really good. We learned so much, for example how to take care of the different animals and about the types of food they eat, e.g. buffaloes eat grass. We liked best lions, leopard and the elephants. The monkeys were really funny. They came to our car when we arrived and stole our sweetie. We really enjoyed the lunch and playing.”

13

WORLS AIDS DAY IN KALANGALA

From 7th to 9th of December some of our M-LISADA Senior Brass Band members, the Culture Group and some of our staff members travelled to Kalangala. On the 8th we joined the commemorating World AIDS Day, as our Brass Band together with the Brass Band of M-LISADA Kalangala marched in the community and performed at the function, and the culture group accomplished a stunning performance. For the last act, the Band joined the culture group for a selection of Christmas songs, which we used to wish every spectator merry Christmas and a happy new year. The crowd was amazed with all the performances and our work on the Island is greatly recognized at the District. Everyone, but especially our M-LISADA children really enjoyed the trip.

14

KAMPIRINGISA

Kampiringisa is a rehabilitation centre for children in conflict with the law. The psychosocial support program helps children and individuals and communities to heal from the psychological wounds and rebuild social structures after a critical event in their lives. It helps people to change into active survivors rather than passive victims. Furthermore, it helps them understand and know how to explore their abilities and how to overcome traumas from their past experiences. Once a week we go there and work with children between the age of 11 to 17 years. In groups, according to age, we offer them trauma healing sessions and life skills. Last year we managed to reach out to 686 children, and we covered 15 topics with them.

15

M-LISADA SPREEUWEN HIKING TRIP

In December, Spreeuwen School took 16 pupils of M- LISADA Passion Primary School for a fantastic 6-day backpacking trip to Mbale and Bududa in East Uganda. It was an incredible experience! The children got to walk around different areas and climb the mountains of Bududa. As they went to Mbale, they were climbing mount Wanale, visited the Sipi falls and enjoyed amazing views, as well as the beautiful nature. For the children it has been the first backpacking trip in Uganda to be part of. It was their first time to spend the nights in very beautiful and luxurious hotels, even having televisions in each room. Every day they enjoyed great meals and sport games. Also, the adults were rating them in teamwork, discipline, care and enthusiasm. All in all, they had a great time, which they will never forget for the rest of their lives. Thanks to Uncle Yves and Uncle Paul for leading together with Uncle Dan and Aunt Rashida. This group had a real dream come true experience on this trip.

16

17

VISITORS AND FUNCTIONS

November and December were some of M-LISADA’s busiest months of the year. We had many visitors, like for example Miss tourism Kenia culture Winnie Gakii. On 1st of December she came to join the graduation party of our P7, S4 and S6 students and celebrate her birthday with us. All M-LISADA members were excited about that visit. They were performing and showed Miss Winnie what it means to be part of the big M-LISADA family, while the children found it interesting and inspiring to listen to her story.

18

Nearly every weekend there have been functions for either the Band or the culture Group. During Christmas time we used to add a selection of Christmas carols to our performances, as our cultural group built up a little choir that was accompanied by some M-LISADA Senior Brass Band members. It brough even more interest in M-LISADA and gave us the opportunity to reach out to more people, as we were booked for many functions and events. Great thanks to Trainer Bagonza, who created this special arrangement.

19

On the 23th of November our children got an opportunity to perform at a special event, the Christmas Bazaar of Rainbow International School Uganda. Over 1000 guest were invited for this event. To our children this was a great platform to express what M-LISADA is all about. Ali played the trombone that day: “Hello everyone! I have performed in front of other audiences before but not an International School. Doing a production of culture and Brass Band was an opportunity I had never expected in my life. I am a Rwandan refugee and my life is a mystery. I am so proud of myself for whom I have turned out to be. I thought I had lost it all when we were living with my siblings at the Refugee Camp and later shifted to the slums to guess life with my siblings and our single mother who was doing everything possible to see her children have a meal each day. But the moment I contacted M-LISADA through its students from Tropical High School, everything changed for me. M-LISADA gave me accommodation, pays for my school fees and now I can play in the M- LISADA Senior Brass Band. I think music is my calling because when I started my training with the trombone, I got stuck with it and I love playing this instrument and it has made me feel special an accepted.

20

The opportunity to perform at the International School that day made all of us the performers to feel valued from the way the audience applauded us. After the performance, I got to speak to a family who watched us performing. The whole family clapped for me and said that they thank me so much for our wonderful performance. They said that I made their day. Such performances are not only to entertain people, but it speaks volumes in our lives, especially for us who come from difficult backgrounds and then getting a platform to perform it changes a lot of things in our lives.” Through Rainbow International School M-LISADA was able to break through with their Brass Music performances in the whole country. We are very proud of Rainbow International School for keeping us in their heart. Thank you.

21

22

CHRISTMAS PARTY

On the 19th of December 2019 a great Christmas Party, organized by Mummy Foundation took place at M-LISADA. A lot of music was performed at the party. Mummy Foundation’s Brass Band and choir got to present some songs, the Brass for Africa teacher band and even a new M-LISADA Jazz Band, who played together with Solomon from Israel, who taught some of our older children. Our Culture Group performed their special Christmas Show together with Trainer Bagonza. The M-LISADA children, some of their parents, M-LISADA staff members and all the members from Mummy foundation and Brass for Africa really enjoyed that merry evening together. Thanks to Levi Williams who donated the food we served that special day.

23

THANK YOU!

M-LISADA ORGANIZATION Ave Maria Road, Nsambya, P.O. 71511, Kampala, Uganda Tel.: +256 772 433 793 / +256 392 845 287 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.mlisada.org

24