Making a Difference in Uganda (MDU): A Journey of Compassion and Commitment

Running Making a Difference in Uganda (MDU), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been both an inspiring and demanding journey. Our mission—to support vulnerable children and families through education, healthcare, and community development—requires persistent dedication, cross-cultural communication, and creative problem-solving in the face of limited resources.

Operating on the ground in Uganda presents unique challenges. From navigating logistical and infrastructural barriers to earning trust within communities, the work demands adaptability and deep cultural sensitivity. Yet, it is the resilience and gratitude of the people we serve that continually inspire us. Each school uniform distributed, each meal provided, each child enrolled in school is a testament to the impact of collective compassion and grassroots collaboration.

Comprehensive Medical Outreach

One of the cornerstones of our work is the comprehensive medical outreach we provide in underserved regions. These medical camps offer free healthcare services to hundreds of individuals who often have no access to professional medical care. Our dedicated teams of doctors, nurses, and volunteers treat a wide range of illnesses, conduct preventative screenings, and provide critical health education, empowering communities with knowledge to sustain their well-being.

Menstrual Health and Education

A unique and vital component of our outreach is the distribution of reusable sanitary pads. Menstrual hygiene is a significant barrier for girls in rural Uganda, frequently causing them to miss school or drop out entirely. By providing these reusable pads, we support menstrual health, education, and dignity. The impact is profound: keeping girls in school strengthens not only individual futures but entire communities.

Maama Kits for Safer Deliveries

Our maama kits are another life-saving tool provided during outreach. Containing essential items like sterile gloves, blades, cord clamps, and clean sheets, these kits are given to expectant mothers in remote areas with limited access to medical facilities. The goal is simple but powerful: to reduce the risk of complications during childbirth and improve maternal and infant health outcomes—one delivery at a time.

Hope on the Streets: The Kisenyi Street Kids Program

Among the most heart-wrenching yet vital parts of our mission is our Kisenyi Street Kids Program in the heart of Kampala. Kisenyi is home to a large population of children living on the streets—orphans, abandoned youth, and those displaced by poverty or conflict. These children face daily dangers including abuse, hunger, exploitation, and illness.

Through this program, MDU offers basic necessities like food, hygiene kits, clothing, and medical care. More importantly, we provide counseling and social services to help these children find a path forward—whether through reunification with family, enrollment in school, or placement in a safe shelter. The Kisenyi Street Kids Program is not just about survival; it’s about restoring dignity and creating a sense of belonging and hope where there was once despair.

Expanding Horizons: Mission to Ukraine

As we continue our efforts in East Africa, we are also preparing for our second humanitarian mission to Ukraine. This endeavor introduces a new set of challenges: navigating security threats, responding to rapid geopolitical changes, and managing the emotional weight of war. Coordinating with local partners, securing medical and relief supplies, and ensuring the safety of all involved are essential components. Despite these difficulties, our mission remains the same: to provide practical aid and offer hope to those in crisis.

Standing Against Injustice Closer to Home

While engaged in global humanitarian work, I have also been called to confront injustices in my own backyard—particularly the mistreatment of international students at a local U.S. based educational institution. Despite their vulnerability, these students have often been met with bureaucratic indifference and a lack of support.

One Ugandan student was left homeless and without guidance, while others received complex immigration documents without proper instruction, placing them at risk of deportation. My attempts to raise these issues with the institution were met with silence, prompting me to step in as an advocate, providing housing, food, and support.

A Unified Vision of Compassion

Balancing rural development in Uganda, crisis response in Ukraine, and advocacy for international students in the U.S. can be overwhelming. Yet, these efforts are deeply interconnected. At the heart of each is the fundamental belief that every person deserves dignity, support, and a chance to succeed—no matter their origin or circumstance.

This work is more than a mission; it's a commitment. It requires stamina, collaboration, and the courage to confront injustice head-on. Despite the challenges, I remain steadfast in my resolve to make a meaningful difference—because behind every act of kindness is a life changed forever.