Arthur's Recovery Journey

I first met Arthur Kisitu in 2014 on an island in the middle of Bunyonyi, a deep lake set in the mountainous, southwesternmost corner of Uganda. He was in the midst of filming, drawing connections between the traditions of those local to the shores of the lake and those living in the Katanga slum of the capital Kampala. Later that night, I watched him teach visitors from Germany how to salsa dance. In just one extended conversation that followed, I knew that Arthur was going to be a lifelong friend.

A maker and artist in every sense, he's talented in everything from dancing and documentary filmmaking to woodworking and welding. He is committed to creating at least one thing every day. This ranges from beautiful lamps created from recycled wine bottles and sets of tables to custom bike carriers and upcycled material solutions.

Through all of this, he isn't just making for making's sake. He builds community. He successfully sparks and leads initiatives that impact all those around him. One nearest and dearest to him is Mirembe Vertical Gardens and Vocational Center, which will bring fresh, garden-grown food to those who otherwise don't have access, all centered around his relationship with the people of Katanga. Many children living in the slum receive care through Arthur and his partner, increasing the demands placed on him beyond that of his own firstborn child. His daugther Ariel was born just after the accident, in November 2021.

This kind of care runs in the family. His grandfather Kaddu Wasswa is a community builder too, a man who archived his own life, and taught me so many valuable lessons (particularly when it comes to the meaning of a place) over weekends full of tea in the village. As guided by individuals like this, Arthur tirelessly dedicates himself endlessly to efforts informed by empathy - including virtual educational exchanges between communities across the world.

But right now, Arthur needs some care of his own. Just over a year ago, he was caught in a road accident that severely injured his legs. Initial treatment successfully healed his right leg, but he could not afford MRI imaging for the diagnosis of his left leg leg, which developed further infection. The issues have compounded over 12 months of lack of proper medical care. He has begun to experience loss of feeling, and lives in extreme pain everyday. Professional surgery intervention is urgently needed to avoid loss of his leg.

With this injury, his daily life caring for his new baby became extremely difficult. More so, his two main sources of income -- teaching dance and providing documentary video services -- have been inaccessible to him. I have been providing piecemeal financial support over the past year and directing projects his way for paid work where able. However, his tech equipment is 15 years old. It's worn out and becoming obsolete, preventing him from accessing new avenues of remote work such as video editing projects or educational exchange.

I will be sending Arthur the first $1,000 contribution directly via WorldRemit. I am asking for your help to raise the remaining $8,000 which will help Arthur receive the necessary surgery, spend three months recovering, and provide him with the equipment and tech services that will allow him to get back on his feet. These funds will be disbursed weekly and sent via WorldRemit to MTN Mobile Money so that Arthur can access the funds quickly. I will share evidence of these transfers with all donors and provide reports of progress along the way.

Expenses Break Down as Follows:

$1,800 | Surgery & Recovery Medical Care (Local Hospital in Kampala)

$1,500 | Living Expenses x 3 months During Recovery (Rent, Food, Basic Needs)

$1,200 | Updated Camera Equipment (Example)

$1,000 | Laptop Replacement (Example)

$1,000 | Software Upgrades (Final Cut Pro + 1 yr Adobe Suite)

$300 | Projector Replacement or Repair (Example)

$700 | 1 yr Internet via Local Provider (Example)

$1,000 | Finishing of Tiny House, Vertical Garden, and Community Kitchen (To reduce living expenses and support Katanga community)

$500 | Transport, Shipping, Incidentals, and GoFundMe / WorldRemit Fees

Grand Total: $9,000

Starter Donation Provided by Me Directly to Arthur on 11/8, Prior to GoFundMe: $1,000

Total Donated by GoFundMe Donors as of 11/20: $2,294.96 + A Laptop (Pending, Thanks to Generous In-Kind Donation by Carisa Leal)

Total GoFundMe Fees as of 11/20: $75.04

Updated Remaining Goal as of 11/20 (See Update): $4,630

While the fundraiser amount is based on the purchase of updated equipment, in-kind donations of the needed items are also gratefully accepted in place of a monetary contribution. While we seek newer equipment capable of running the latest versions of Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud to ensure functionality and longevity for years to come, the bare minimum is a laptop capable of running Final Cut Pro X Version 10.2.3. Mac with iExplorer is preferred. The ability to successfully run Adobe Premiere Pro CC, InDesign, PowerDirector365, Davinci Resolve, Word, Excel, Audacity, and other media-based softwares is preferred. Please contact me to arrange. For any purchased or donated equipment, I will personally be handling all arrangements for the successful delivery to Uganda, including in-person options, to ensure no materials are lost.

As Arthur well knows, beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. We hope you can prove that in one of his darkest moments. We are grateful for your help supporting him on his journey to recovery.