This year, for my birthday, I’m asking for just one gift: the chance to see my parents and siblings again.

As some of you know, I left my home in Uganda 20 years ago and resettled in the U.S. as a refugee with my grandmother. I came under a new identity. Now, I’m finally ready to tell my story, one that is deeply personal, but far from unique.

It is a story of displacement, grief, and separation, but also of hope, resilience, and perseverance. A story that echoes in the lives of millions around the world who have been uprooted by the violent legacy of systems that refuse to die. Systems of imperialism that haven’t disappeared, only rebranded.

This year, I will return home for the first time in two decades. This journey will mark the beginning of an ongoing project with Sanaa Studio Collective, titled “A Letter To…” — a documentary and portrait series exploring cultural identity, belonging, and acceptance. It will begin at the intersection of name and identity.

The first chapter will be my own, a full-circle return to home, self, and community.

I need your support to make this happen. Your gift will help me acquire necessary equipment, fund travel, and compensate those involved in the production.

As I write this, I’m reminded of Ousmane Sembène’s words:

“If Africans do not tell their own stories, Africa will soon disappear. We are not alone in the world, but we are our own sun.”

Across the globe, from Haiti to Congo to Palestine, the voices of displaced and stateless people are being silenced. Those facing violence, displacement, and erasure are often cast as the villains. If we allow their stories to go unheard, we risk losing not only truth but our shared humanity.

Help me tell this story, for me, for my family, and for all those who carry untold histories in their bones.