It was so inspiring to witness Antoinette and Pato's Spirit of Ubuntu movie and journeys to work with children in Africa. The young artists at the Nakivale Young Talent Community and their incredible paintings, dance and song were especially moving. Their dedication to thrive creatively together through the arts is uplifting. Antoinette and Pato will be returning to the school in the months ahead and through this fundraiser we will specifically support their journey and help them to bring paints, easels and instruments to the students.

As a bit of background:

Ubuntu stands for—unity, empowerment, and uplifting communities through love, creativity, and collaboration.

In southern Uganda, in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, live 15 young refugee artists who are determined to build their professional career as artists while providing a safe and supportive environment for refugee children and youth to learn art and express themselves creatively.

Over 3 years ago, they came together to form Nakivale Young Talent Community (NYTC). NYTC is both an artist collective as well as a free arts education program providing 80 refugee children and youth Monday through Saturday with basic and advanced art instruction as well as creative expression opportunities such as singing, guitar, fashion shows/modeling, storytelling and illustration.

NYTC is now a registered community-based organization and they operate as an artist collective and arts education program.