Musana’s mantra over the years has become okusoma tekukoma , meaning “LEARNING NEVER ENDS” in Luganda, a local language of Uganda. The road from our beginning in 2008 to today has been full of challenges and learning curves. Our progress in so many ways has come from trusting in God and asking for His clarity and strength to make fearless decisions when a reroute is needed. As a result, we are continuously listening to the evolving needs of our communities to find solutions to barriers standing in the way of effective development.
SHINE In November 2022, we celebrated the first graduating class of Musana Vocational High School. This was the first group of students to attend Musana schools from primary through high school. When we noticed that many of our graduates who were on scholarship had aspirations of pursuing higher education but lacked the necessary funding to do so, we recognized a new need. These graduates had incredible potential to become doctors, engineers, lawyers, or influencers of policy, where they could create significant change in their communities. As a result, in 2023, we evolved our monthly giving program, Shine. All Shine donations now go toward higher education scholarships and training for high-achieving students otherwise lacking funding. Training leaders to advance Musana Uganda’s vision of breaking the cycle of poverty and dependency is a top priority as we look to the future. As Musana continues to grow, it is essential that we are developing leaders who believe in our shared vision, mission, and values. Cultivating socially responsible leaders dedicated to uplifting their community is essential for the sustainability of Musana’s model. In 2022, we launched Musana Leadership Development Program, and in 2023, we held three leadership conferences at Musana’s Sol View Conference Center in Iganga, training over 55 current and future leaders. MUSANA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
ALUMNI REUNION A reunion was organized for the inaugural 80 children who were the initial beneficiaries of Musana in 2008. More than 50 of the original 80 attended, providing a wonderful opportunity to witness their growth over the years and discover their contributions to community transformation. The event included moments of reconnection, storytelling, sharing of their current community involvement, leadership workshops, and plenty of photo opportunities! Since the reunion, Musana alumni have taken the initiative among themselves to organize monthly meetings to keep in touch, to provide each other support and encourage- ment, and to strategize ways to mobilize their community to continue on the path of transformation. The spike in pregnancy rates over the past few years further exposed an already dire need for access to quality healthcare. The Helping Mothers & Babies Survive program educates birth attendants in neonatal resuscitation, man- agement of bleeding after birth, preeclampsia, and endomysium. In 2023, 24 students received their completion certificate, and as part of the program, they continue to receive mentorship and support from midwives working at Musana Community Hospitals. HELPING MOTHERS & BABIES SURVIVE
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