Uganda

For many girls, the arrival of their period brings not only physical changes but also social barriers.

Girls’ Menarche Initiative is working in Uganda to end menstrual poverty and combat the stigma surrounding menstrual hygiene.

Find out more about their work on video.

For more information: Girls’ Menarche Initiative

This video was produced with the support of the Fédération Genevoise de Coopération, Ville de Genève, Canton de Genève.

On 23 May 2024, the photographer Max Collier – brother of Chloé Collier, our coordinator – organised his very first photo exhibition in partnership with and in aid of Omoana in Brussels, Belgium. It was a huge success, with around 200 people attending the event!

For those who missed it, here’s the reason behind the event:

“In July 2022, Max learned that his partner was pregnant. He then embarked on a crazy project: to document this year full of discoveries, learning and experience through 365 photos – 1 per day. This series of photos is a treasure trove of memories, especially for his daughter Mia, born in July 2023. But how can we make this project even more meaningful?
It was during a conversation in December 2023, when the whole family got together for the first time in Brussels, across the borders (Canada, Switzerland, Belgium), that the idea of holding an exhibition in aid of Omoana, the charity for which Chloé works, was born. And so the adventure began!
Chloé joined Omoana just over 2 years ago, with a view to working in particular with former child soldiers, a population that is particularly close to her heart. As she puts it: ‘Leaving these children aside means creating a time bomb. Reaching out to these children means giving peace a chance’. With both their parents born and raised in Africa, and Chloé having lived there, the continent has always held a special significance for Max and Chloé. As they have always been so close-knit, they wanted to hold an event that reflected them, as a family, in the place where they grew up. So it was only natural that they should join forces for this exhibition, and in their own small way help to make the world a fairer place. And in so doing, they will be teaching Mia that helping your neighbour is also helping yourself and, above all, that we are never too much to help each other up.”

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and all those who helped organise the evening, especially to L’Accord Vin, Atelier du Photographe, ZLAB et L’Usine.

Youth living with HIV face various challenges. One of them is to apprehend his/her partners reaction after disclosing his/her HIV status. Youth having been exposed to such situations tell us about their experience through a creative dance.

This video is part of a series adapted from our show Résilience.

Acting, dancing and clip conceptualisation : Mukungu Enock Jonathan ; Mutesi Sharon ; Kasoga Winnifred ; Nabiryo Esther; Hussein Fazil ; Nyanzi Huzairu ; Bazibu Micheal;  Namirimu Teddy

With the support of : Federation Genevoise de Coopération, Ville de Genève, Etat de Genève

Filming-Editing : Reagan Giriwa

Musique : Sauti Sol- Suzanna ; Shakira- Waka Waka soundtrack

When HIV first appeared in Uganda, it heralded a disaster beyond measure. A few decades later, young people whose lives have been affected by the virus tell us whether they will let it dictate their lives.

Acting, singing and conceptualisation of the video: Mukungu Enock Jonathan; Mutesi Sharon; Kasoga Winnifred; Nabiryo Esther; Hussein Fazil; Nyanzi Huzairu

With the support of : Federation Genevoise de Coopération, City of Geneva, Canton of Geneva

Capture and editing: Reagan Giriwa

Watch our video on slut-shaming in relation to STD contraction in Uganda.

This is one of a series of video clips adapted from the show Résilience developed by former beneficiaries of the “Omoana House” project to mark the organisation’s 20th anniversary.

Acting, singing and video conceptualisation: Mukungu Enock Jonathan; Mutesi Sharon; Kasoga Winnifred; Nabiryo Esther; Hussein Fazil; Nyanzi Huzairu

With the support of the Fédération Genevoise de Coopération

Capture and editing: Reagan Giriwa

When people are born with HIV, society sometimes makes them believe that they will not be able to have a normal life. However, if given the necessary means and care, they can die old like any other person. Young people supported in their childhood by the Omoana association presented a show in Ugandan schools about resilience in the face of HIV/AIDS. In this video, students having attended it tell us what they learned.

Acting, singing and clip conceptualisation: Mukungu Enock Jonathan ; Mutesi Sharon ; Kasoga Winnifred ; Nabiryo Esther; Hussein Fazil ; Nyanzi Huzairu ; Bazibu Micheal; Namirimu Teddy

With the support of: Federation Genevoise de Coopération

Filming-Editing: Reagan Giriwa

When people are born with HIV, society sometimes makes them believe that they will not be able to lead a normal life. However, if they are given the necessary means and care, they can live long and healthy lives, just like any other individual.

We are delighted to share the Ugandan version of Jean Villard’s song “Les Trois Cloches”, adapted by young people supported by Omoana, in which they talk about resilience.

Many thanks to Mukungu Enock Jonathan, Mutesi Sharon, Kasoga Winnifred, Nabiryo Esther, Hussein Fazil, Nyanzi Huzairu, Bazibu Micheal and Reagan Giriwa for this wonderful creation.

This video is part of a series adapted from our show Resilience, which had to be cancelled.

With the support of the Fédération Genevoise de Coopération.

We are delighted to share with you the Ugandan adaptation of Abbé Bovet’s song “Le Vieux Chalet”, on the theme of resilience in the face of HIV/AIDS.

Many thanks to Mukungu Enock Jonathan, Mutesi Sharon, Kasoga Winnifred, Nabiryo Esther, Hussein Fazil, Nyanzi Huzairu, Bazibu Micheal and Reagan Giriwa for this beautiful creation.

This video is part of a series adapted from our show Resilience, which had to be cancelled.

With the support of the Fédération Genevoise de Coopération and the City of Bulle.