Marching Forward with Ivan
In 2025, Ivan joined Secondary School. The mention of this milestone achievement instantly makes Ivan flash one of his trademark smiles. Ivan joined M-LISADA’s programs six years ago after his mother suffered a paralyzing stroke. A grabber of opportunities and imbued with positivity, Ivan oozes enthusiasm and gratitude. He is a multi-talented musician who plays the bass tuba, the drums, the guitar, the adungu / bow harp, the tenor adungu, and the akwogo /thumb piano. He is also a gifted singer, a talented artist, and a storyteller. Ivan initially chose to play the bass tuba because everyone else was intimidated and running from it.
Playing the tuba has taught Ivan to not be afraid of your problems. If you live in fear instead of facing the challenges of what you are scared of, you will never solve your problems. Embracing life and making the most of it is a mantra that Ivan joyfully embodies. One of Ivan’s favorite memories is when got to play the Sousaphone, an all eyes on me show stopping brass instrument that he had seen in the movies. When Ivan saw the sousaphone in person, he briefly thought he was dreaming before he wrapped himself in it and started playing as the Brass Band marched in celebration. Ivan’s ability to march with the beat of opportunity has made Ivan a leader among his peers.
Music has taught Ivan to be patient and never to give up. It has helped him become disciplined and an avid listener. M-LISADA has provided Ivan with an education he didn’t think was possible. After a year in M-LISADA’s Bridge Education Program, Ivan was all set to go to school for the first time at M-LISADA’s Passion Primary School when COVID came, and then continued lockdowns closed Ugandan schools for two years (the longest in the world). When COVID came, Ivan thought it was the end of the world because he had heard that bad things happen if you get too many good things.
Thankfully, Ivan and M-LISADA persevered, and he joined M-LISADA Passion School when it finally reopened. Ivan never thought he’d be able to board at a state of the art boarding school like Passion School. His fondest memories from primary school are being supported by caring staff and teachers, performing with his fellow students in the dining/performance hall, and celebrating the last day of the school year. Ivan would like to become a professional filmmaker to travel and seek new experiences. The first term of Secondary School has just finished. We are proud to share that Ivan thrived in his new setting and was awarded a partial academic scholarship.
Literacy Enhancement Program
M-LISADA is excited to announce a new literacy enhancement program that will be part of the educational curriculum of M-LISADA Passion Primary School and our Bridge Education Program.
Illiteracy and reading at the appropriate reading levels are enormous educational roadblocks in Uganda. According to the 2023 report by Uweezo, an academic research organization, only 41% of primary 7 pupils can read a grade 2 story.” While these numbers are higher in M-LISADA’s programs, a lack of literacy skills still represents the biggest impediment to foundational and advanced learning. Before coming to M-LISADA, many children in our education programs didn’t attend school regularly or learn the foundational literacy skills needed. By the time they come to M-LISADA and are integrated back into school, they are usually at an advanced age for their class, but still struggle with literacy.
Our Literacy Enhancement Program will implement Teach at a Right Level (TaRL) methodologies. It will include accelerated learning activities, projects, and coaching. A specialized literacy teacher will be hired, and all Bridge Education and Passion School teachers will receive expert literacy training focusing on capacity building and continuous professional development. These trainings will teach the most effective strategies for teaching reading and improving literacy skills. Our literacy teacher will also work in tandem with class teachers. Every child recommended by class teachers will be given extra literacy tutoring. When a child’s literacy is enhanced, they gain skills and confidence that will transform their whole life.
Come Visit Uganda & M-LISADA
Coming to Uganda and visiting M-LISADA has been a profoundly meaningful experience for thousands of people from around the world. Spending time with M-LISADA and witnessing the work we do has completely changed the lives of many of our closest supporters. Our hearts and history are filled with stories of guests who walked through our doors as strangers but left as family.
Apart from M-LISADA, Uganda’s beauty comes in many different forms. It is home to long-dreamed-of safaris, majestic silverback gorillas, and the source of the mighty Nile River. It is also home to delicious fresh fruit, fertile brown soil, green landscapes, and a diversity of lakes, including enchanting crater lakes and Lake Victoria, the second biggest lake in the world. Uganda has a diverse and vibrant culture prominently showcased through music and dancing. It is a joyful and warmhearted country filled with contagious smiles and laughter.
M-LISADA has extensive experience welcoming guests and arranging programs with and for groups of all sizes, including schools. We have partnerships with several other service-based organizations. We know and work with several reputable tour companies and can help create different options for programs and itineraries.
Please email: mlisada.organization@gmail.com if you are interested in visiting Uganda & M-LISADA, either with your own group or if we put together an annual tour.
OUR MISSION
To protect, heal, empower, and support vulnerable children and youth through music, life skills, and education.
OUR VISION
To be a leading organization in transforming the lives of Uganda’s new generations.
OUR STORY, OUR MUSIC
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Dreams Do Come True!
We are proud to say that at M-LISADA, with hard work and the right support, dreams do come true. We are overjoyed that last week one of those dreams came to fruition.
Kabuye Ronald graduated with a Bachelor-in-Law degree from Uganda Christian University, which is the most expensive and most prestigious law school in Uganda. Ronald came to M-LISADA from the streets when he was just 4 years old. For 15 years, he called M-LISADA home.
Ronald’s dream to become a lawyer took shape when he was at M-LISADA. Growing up, he was the chairman, junior staff and chief judge in M-LISADA’s Children’s Court. He also became thoroughly engaged in music and he plans to continue playing. He is looking forward to joining the Law Development Center and pursing a post graduate diploma in law, which will certify him as an advocate. In the future, he wants to help people by practicing public interest law.
Exams During COVID
The Ugandan Government recently announced that primary and secondary schools will officially open again in early January. This is great news. Other than graduating classes schools have essentially been closed since March 2020. The loss of close to two years of education has had a devastating impact on the future of Uganda’s youth.
School closings have resulted in a significant increase in teenage pregnancy, as well as an increase in prostitution and in mental, physical, and sexual child abuse. While the news that schools will open again was urgently needed, the reality is that many children will struggle to return to school. The financial impact of COVID-19 has plunged millions of families into poverty. The schools that are opening again are raising fees and asking for the payment of old fees.
A recent article in the New York Times quotes Uganda’s National Planning Authority as saying, “30% of learners are likely not to return to school” and that “3,507 primary and 832 secondary schools will never open again.” Having been unemployed for close to two years, thousands of qualified and experienced teachers have also left the profession.
Thankfully M-LISADA was able to adapt our education program and keep our teachers employed. In the last few weeks, we even managed to give end of year assessment exams to 102 students. (81 Primary and 21 Secondary). The students that pass these tests will be able to move into the next year of schooling when schools reopen in January. We are extremely proud of this accomplishment.
We are asking for your support to help us send as many children back to school as possible. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, or would like more information, please email: edu.mlisada@gmail.com
M-LISADA's Work on Kalangala Island
Kalangala Island has one of the highest HIV-positive rates in the world and is one of the most impoverished parts of Uganda. M-LISADA has been working on Kalangala island for more than six years. We are one of the only organizations to have a permanent-on-the ground presence on the island.
M-LISADA’s main management team recently visited Kalangala to oversee existing projects, which include staff training and capacity building, and to look at other ways we can expand our scope and impact on the island. Our team met with local government officials to discuss the possibility of working together to provide shelter and safe space for sexually abused children and young mothers during investigations and court trials.
M-LISADA has been chosen to implement a project on gender-based sexual violence. Our team met with the organization that is giving us the project grant.
In the past few years, the government’s restrictions on fishing has had a devastating impact on the fishing-dependent island. Our team met with a women’s group that is supported by M-LISADA’s partner, Masomo. The women were given a donation of 3 million shillings ($845USD) which they will invest in fish farms.
Food on Kalangala is currently very expensive and food is not being transported to the island because of low market sales. Our team spearheaded Masomo’s food relief distribution to over 100 families.
OUR MISSION
To protect, heal, empower, and support vulnerable children and youth through music, life skills, and education.
OUR VISION
To be a leading organization in transforming the lives of Uganda’s new generations.