I (Maria Lotova) arrived in Uganda in September for my internship with a refugee rights organisation and to understand South-South migration and the misconceptions around it. I stayed for one month only — time that is very little if you wish to explore beyond the capital of Kampala and be in some of East Africa’s most beautiful, but not-so-well-known natural settings. So, as the time for my departure was getting closer, my determination to come back was growing bigger — not for the leisure trips but for the interactions with some of the most outspoken and resourceful people I have ever met.
This curiosity led me to Amacue Foundation. I had brought with me a suitcase with second-hand children’s clothes collected from family and friends, and I had packed clothes for myself that I had decided to not return because each trip is also a cleansing method for me — a way to leave behind the old and bring back the new; to arrive heavier and leave lighter.
I went on Google maps to search for children’s and women’s organisations close to my home where I could donate the items. That’s how I came across Amacue Foundation, an initiative that improves the lives of children and women in some of Uganda’s most deprived communities through WASH services, skills development, self-esteem boosting, and community action. Annet and Ronald, the founders of Amacue, not only responded immediately to such a small contribution but with extreme professionalism and poignant appreciation.
Hence, my donation was a gift from one heart to another. In times when we seem to be constantly living under the threat of a crisis — economic, social, health, and mental — this was not just a giveaway, but the beginning of a relationship between two allies who have similar values such as kindness, integrity, respect, responsibility, and servant leadership.
The months following my trip to Uganda were unsettling. I arrived there; observed, gave a little bit, and was about to continue with my life — this was one option. But after getting to know Annet and Ronald through their work for Amacue Foundation, there’s no way I can continue my life in conscience without looking back. They instilled in me a passionate commitment to never consider a gift too small or insignificant, as every little thing or action may mean a lot to someone else — and for this, I am forever grateful.
Some of the Beneficiaries
