Yvonne’s African Adventure

On February 1st, 2014, I will be leaving for Iganga, Uganda to spend one year volunteering  with Musana Community Development Organization.

Musana Community Development Organization was created when the founders of Ugandan and American University students discovered 162 children living at an orphanage in the worst conditions imaginable.  In September 2008, Musana Children’s Home was established and moved 80 of the 162 children into a place they could finally call home. They are happier than they have ever been, getting three meals a day, proper medical care, a good education, and most importantly… LOVE.

The desire is that Musana not be a charity, but rather a social business that is completely owned and run by the local community of Iganga. Some of their projects include:

• Rural sponsorship program to educate children in the villages

• Secondary school sponsorship for graduates of Musana Primary School

• Women’s Microfinance Project

• Multiple farming projects – dairy, chickens, agriculture and fish

• Sol Café and Restaurant

• Craft Project for women in rural areas to make jewelry and learn tailoring

I will be working with MCDO on existing business projects such as the café and the women’s microfinance project.  As well, I will work with Musana on potentially opening a guesthouse and developing a hospitality training program for the trade school they plan to open.

On Wednesday, November 13th, I will be hosting a fundraising evening at the Sonora Room Restaurant at Burrowing Owl to help with my travel costs and living expenses for the year.  This is going to be a fun evening of food, wine and music.  We will have multiple food stations set up with paired wine and there will be live music for guests to enjoy.  The cost to attend will be $25 a person.  If you would like to join us, please phone  250-498-6202 to reserve a seat.

Submitted by Yvonne Ouwerkerk