Our Partner in Africa
We support and collaborate with Sisters Uganda, helping them to pursue their mission and vision. A group of adolescent girlfriends came together in 2019 in the village of Maliba in western Uganda and decided to be change makers.
Girls and women in poor communities all over the world struggle; many can’t afford personal hygiene supplies, causing girls to miss school and women to miss opportunities for work that could provide income for their families. Knowing this first hand, the Ugandan “sisters” were eager to help lift up their community!
With support from us, they are practicing tailoring skills, sewing reusable sanitary pads and distributing them in their community to girls and women, learning about menstrual health and hygiene, and offering psychosocial support to young mothers and pregnant teens and encouraging them to stay in school.
Their mission is to share skills and knowledge with their peers, strengthening their sisterhood and encouraging each other to become young leaders in their community. They envision a world where girls and women have opportunities to thrive in health, education, and business.
A portion of all sales of our products supports their programs!
Current Programs
-
![Ugandan woman learning to sew]()
Tailoring Initiative
Most members of Sisters Uganda are involved in the tailoring program. They practice basic sewing and cutting skills, and produce reusable sanitary pads made out of cotton flannel and absorbent cloth found in second-hand markets.
-
![Ugandan women holding handmade sanitary pads for personal hygiene]()
Pad Distribution & Personal Hygiene Outreach
Handcrafted washable pads are delivered to poor families. The gifted pads are accompanied with instructions on proper ways to use and wash, training on the menstrual cycle and other matters of personal hygiene.
-
![Ugandan women offering emotional support and community during the COVID-19 pandemic]()
Psychosocial Support
During the “COVID lockdown,” Ugandan public schools were closed for 22 months. Many girls fell victim to early pregnancy; they were left home unattended and unsupervised, at risk for rape. Teenage pregnancy is condemned and girls are traumatized. Sisters Uganda is reaching out to young mothers and pregnant teens, offering emotional support and encouragement to stay in (or return to) school.
Sisters Uganda Team
Bwambale Morice Rupanzura
Manager and Communications Director, Tour Guide, Founding Member
Masika Harriet
Founding Member, Assistant Supervisor to Water Project (2020), Entrepreneur, Mother
Baseme Evalyne
Treasurer, Outreach Facilitator and Counselor, Teacher, Mother
Malikia Rizik
Secretary, Outreach Assistant, Part-Time Teacher, Mother
Kiza Winnie Onyango
Tailoring Coach, Secondary Teacher, Mother
Mupeleka Loice
Tailoring Assistant, Nursery Teacher, Mother
Musoki Christine
Outreach Assistant, Girls’ Dormitory Matron and Mentor, Mother
Musoki Bridget
Outreach Assistant, Student, Tailoring Trainee
Kabugho Appophia
Founding Member, Tailoring Trainee, Student
Musoki Sharon
Tailoring Trainee, Student, Mother
Mwero Lovice
Tailoring Trainee, Student
Mwenge Lilian
Tailoring Trainee, Student
Medress
Tailoring Trainee, Student
Biira Immaculate
Tailoring Trainee, Student
Kabugho Masline
Tailoring Trainee, Student
Mbambu Macklin
Tailoring Trainee, Student
Past Projects
Clean Water
In May 2018 the village purchased enough pipe and a holding tank to bring them safe water for the first time EVER, from deep within the mountains. People’s health improved; illnesses decreased, people didn’t rack up medical bills. They experienced an overall healthier and more prosperous community.
On May 7, 2020, River Mubuku “burst its banks” in the middle of the night and swept away homes, bridges, and entire roads, leaving hundreds terrified and displaced. Much was lost, including hundreds of meters of pipe that had brought life-saving water to the people of Maliba and neighboring Kyanya and Ibanda.
The local community contributed a small portion of the total cost to complete the project that reconnected hundreds of private taps and built three large taps for public use.
Women’s Public Restroom
Access to water and sanitation are recognized by the United Nations as human rights. “Lack of access to safe, sufficient and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has a devastating effect on the health, dignity and prosperity of billions of people.”
A women’s-only bathroom was constructed in 2021, complete with four toilet rooms, two changing rooms, sinks and showers with running water. Never before was there a safe, clean place for women to use a restroom who work in the Maliba market area. *If I need to add more to make it the same length as the next project, let me know.
Humble Home
Four orphaned siblings, ages six to twelve, (one not pictured) not only lost their home during the flooding, but sadly, their grandmother passed away soon after. The land on which their house sat is now a flood zone. Sisters in Circles provided funding for land on which to build a stable home of their own where they can grow and thrive together. Many locals contributed labor, bricks and other building materials. Mbambu Ruth is their loving caregiver who is raising Musoki, Muhindo, Kabugho, and Bwambale as her own. They now have a solid foundation for health and success!