We love seeing students’ perspectives of Ugandans and the continent of Africa change as they learn more about the diverse, beautiful cultures, landscapes, and experiences. We remain grateful to all of the teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and students who participate in our club activities and help us co-teach curriculum in all of our partner schools. We couldn’t do any of this without you!

Our U.S. team visits Mwebaza’s partner school communities in Uganda each summer. This upcoming summer, we’re inviting you to come. We recognize that bringing people from our U.S. community to Uganda broadens perspectives and creates lasting bonds between people from different cultures. In an effort not to promote the negatives of voluntourism, we are reimaging what a cultural immersion trip looks like and how it can best serve visitors and hosts.

We continue the legacy of colonialism if we perpetuate the belief (within our own minds and externally, through public discourse) that we, as a predominantly white organization from the U.S., know best and can do it best. Words shape our thoughts and grow, deepen, and strengthen our internal beliefs. Similarly, thoughts shape our words, making it crucial to examine our internal selves and uproot unjust, inequitable beliefs.

Some people think it’s spelled Mombasa, which is actually a well-known coastal port in Kenya. Others hear the word and believe it’s spelled Mumbaza, Mwabaza, or Mambazo. It’s totally ok! For some pronunciation help, here’s a short video of Mwebaza Infant Primary School students in Kyengera, Uganda showing us how to pronounce it.

It’s easy to give to a nonprofit with recognizable names like The Red Cross, CARE, and Amnesty International. These nonprofits carry huge overhead expenses, like salaries for C-suite executives, massive travel budgets, and staff housing for those employed internationally. By giving to a hyper-local nonprofit, you can have a better understanding of where your donation will go.