MLISADA & Mediavision Academy celebrate the Power of Youth, Music, and Environmental Stewardship

Nsambya, Kampala – On December 13, 2024, the vibrant grounds of 7 Angels Gardens bore witness to a heartwarming celebration as more than 250 school boys and girls, predominantly former street and vulnerable children, gathered for an inspiring evening centered on a crucial message: the “Protection of the Environment using Music, Art, and Culture.”

M-LISADA youths perfom a traditional dance.

This colorful event, organized by the M-Lisada Organization, serves as a beacon of hope and resilience. M-Lisada is a non-governmental organization dedicated to healing, empowering, and supporting at-risk youth through music, life skills, and education. The Executive Director, Decimon Wandera, emphasized the importance of uniting current children, alumni, and students from partner schools, including Bishops of Kibanga in Kalangala, to share vital messages about environmental protection.

M-LISADA brass band performing at the concert.

“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to prioritize the younger generations in the collective action and leadership toward climate solutions,” Wandera stated. His words echoed the urgency of Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, underscoring our collective duty to combat climate change and its far-reaching impacts.

In partnership with M-Lisada, Mediavision Academy played a pivotal role in amplifying this crucial message, mobilizing a multimedia team to ensure comprehensive event coverage. The Academy’s Founder, Robert Nkambo, affirmed their commitment to safeguarding communities against climate-related challenges.

Mediavision Academy documentation team in a photo moment with Bosco Ssegawa the founder of M-LISADA organisation

Among the attendees was Rachel Kabasele Kandolo, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a single mother. She praised M-Lisada for transforming her family’s future, acknowledging the support her children receive, which has allowed her daughter to thrive in a nurturing educational environment.

The event culminated in a remarkable art exhibition featuring jewelry, crafts, rugs, and innovative garbage bins, all skillfully crafted from recycled plastic by the youth. Their creativity and determination highlighted an essential truth: that every individual, regardless of their background, can contribute to protecting our planet.

Sarah Sera exhibiting crafts made from waste plastics

The joyous celebration in Nsambya was not merely an event; it was a clarion call for collective action. As these children danced, created, and shared their stories, they ignited hope and a sense of responsibility in all of us. It is clear that the protection of our environment rests in our hands, and through music, art, and community, we can unite to forge a sustainable future for generations to come. Let our collective actions reflect our commitment: together, let’s protect our planet.

Written by Daniel Massamba Meboya – Strategic Communication Specialist, Photos by Oubeidillah Mdhikiri