INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS LIBRARY
Waiswa Moses Elijah
Community Foundation and Care
“Hello, This is WAISWA MOSES ELIJAH from FRIENDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND CARE HOME in Wabulenga Village, Busoga region in Eastern Uganda, Africa. I’m much obliged to share this.
I can’t thank the Almighty God enough but I’m just always grateful for the blessing of life, ability, and the responsibility to head a big family of 50 beautiful children and those who are working together with me to positively impact lives.
In the middle of April, I connected with our dear loving mama Yvette Jones Swanson from the USA. I shared with her who I am, where I come from, and the mission, objectives, and visions of our Community Foundation in the names of “FRIENDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND CARE HOME”.
Once she read all that I shared with her about us here and my life story inclusive, she felt touched and she definitely decided to use one of her God-given talents and experience of writing since she is an International Author of many inspirational and life-changing stories, she started working on the publishment of a noble book which with her support and efforts named “GROWING HOPE”, so that she creates awareness to the entire world about beautiful thriving children in Uganda.
This book contains my biological background, the backgrounds of some children at our home, my journey after the death of my mother at the early age of 10 years, my way towards coming up with a charity home, the living situations of people in our communities, the friends who are working together with me on the grow hope mission, a word from Caregiving friends, about the culture of our ancestry kingdom and pictures of 50 children way of life. Oh, what a noble book that you can’t miss to read.
The essence of this noble book is to create awareness among different people in the world about these communities and also raise support to get them uplifted and change the lives of these beautiful children and as well restore their lost hope.
Mama Yvette Jones Swanson is not only helping in the publishment of the noble book but also helping in the fundraising through a GoFundMe that she organized https://gofund.me/787ebed9 in order to help 50 orphaned and needful children get daily food, education supplies, tuition, medication, provide sanitary pads to girls, sandals, clothes, and blankets (Bedding materials). We thereby had to give her a name life changer and we said it in loud voices.
It has been a quite short time since I started my communication with her but a lot has changed in the lives of the children and me, because whenever I communicate with her I see my mother in her and the love she loves for a new family of 50 beautiful children is unconditional.
I see kindness, goodness to do good for others, the goodness of love and the will to help others, and the need for being the change that anyone wishes the world to be in her.
Here, we have a saying which says that, “It’s only Mountains that can’t Connect But People can despite their distances, language, and location”.
I feel our ancestors reigning in us.
WE LOVE YOU MAMA YVETTE, WE LOVE YOU, FRIENDS. GOD LOVES US ALL.”
Abdul-Aziz Seidu Jawula
Author: Salaga and the Salaga Slave Trade, Tour Guide, Salaga
BRIEF TESTIMONY ON WORKING WITH QUEEN YVETTE JONES-SWANSON MASAGBEN, AN INTERNATIONAL AUTHOR:
On a Sunny Vibrant Day of June, 2023, my way crossed path with that of this unwavering, Dedicated, Enthusiastic Cheerful Woman, called Yvette Jones-Swanson, who at the Local Naming Ceremony event at the Palace, was given the Gonja local name ‘Masagben’.
Curious to know what the name means, Queen Masagben walked up to me during Lunch and asked me the meaning of her Name again. I replied her with a smile, “CHEERFUL GIVER”! She was amazed as to how and why she was given such a coincidental name. As the name perfectly resonates with what she has dedicated her whole life into, this; Serving Humanity. This was where she asked me if I have read about her and known her before? I replied in the affirmative. It was there that she took me through some of her wonderful projects in Ghana, Assin Manso and Accra precisely.
I was amazed and at that point, I realized this is a Good sent Woman who could help me realize my dreams and unearth my hidden potentials as well. It has since been a great privilege for me to have worked with such a woman of valour and substance, Queen Yvette Jones-Swanson Masagben.
She has been very instrumental in urging me on to put the right information together so we author a Book on Salaga and the Salaga Slave Trade. The Journey hasn’t been easy, and at a point I felt the Queen was more younger than myself. This was because She never got tired when working. Yes, that’s Queen Yvette for you. She is called ‘Masagben’ in Salaga, but I also chose to call her ‘Mawuragben’ (to wit ‘Workaholic Woman’). She has offered me very Positive, Constructive, Dynamic, Creative and Effective Guidance and Leadership so far and I remain eternally grateful to her.
Indeed as Helen Keller the Blind and Deaf Person said “The greatest tragedy to befall a person is to have sight but lacks Vision”. Nothing excites and motivates people like a Vision to accomplish something special. That Vision was what Queen Yvette opened my eyes to.
The Book we both Co-Authored has contributed significantly to raise my image within the Tourism circles in Ghana, Salaga, Savannah Region especially. The Book has since made me to keep dreaming of more projects that Queen Yvette and I could further partner to work on. As Malcolm S. Forbes put it: “When You cease to Dream, you cease to Live”. I haven’t ceased dreaming since coming into contact with Queen Yvette Jones-Swanson Masagben (Cheerful Giver) /Mawuragben (Workaholic Woman).
Her Dedication to uplifting my aspirations and that of the underprivileged in society through Education, Community Development, Job Security and Welfare support towards me in particular, has been my testament of her transformative and generosity towards my family and I. Aside been my Mentor and Co-Author, she also became the big Sister I never had. She is very supportive, Caring, Understandable and Loving. She has been a Wellness Coach to me for some time now helping go through my Health Challenges. She Financially supported me also to enrol in school to further my education with the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale. Additionally, she also supported me financially to attend interviews when I was hunting for a Job.
I feel free to discuss all my personal challenges and probywith her and she has always found time despite her busy schedules to talk to me each time I needed her. Queen Yvette Jones-Swanson Masagben has now become an integral part of my family and I. And on daily basis my family asks me about her and her family as well. It has been a Blessing meeting Queen Yvette and it’s my prayer she finds time and resources for us to pursue our impending dream Projects of Establishing an Orphanage Center in Salaga and Providing the good people of Salaga in the Savannah Region of Ghana with Mechanized Boreholes to augment their struggles for Portable drinking water. I equally look forward to welcoming the Workaholic and Development Oriented Queen Yvette Jones-Swanson Masagben back to Ghana and Salaga for that matter.
Arthur Baranga
Author: Exploring Uganda, A Comprehensive Livestock Project & Travel Guide
Arthur Baranga, is a dedicated and experienced tour operator plus Social Entrepeneur in Uganda. With an unwavering passion for adventure and a deep love for nature, Arthur Baranga has successfully carved a niche in the tourism industry, offering unforgettable experiences to travelers from around the globe.
Born and raised in Uganda, Arthur Baranga developed a profound connection with the country’s natural wonders and rich heritage from an early age. Growing up amidst the breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife, he developed a deep appreciation for Uganda’s untamed beauty and a desire to share it with the world.
Arthur Baranga pursued a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the prestigious Makerere University in Uganda. During his academic years, heactively sought opportunities to expand his knowledge and gain practical experience in the tourism industry. He completed internships with renowned travel agencies and participated in various workshops and training programs to sharpen his skills in guiding, customer service, and sustainable tourism practices.
Fuelled by a burning desire to create personalized and transformative travel experiences, Arthur Baranga founded Pay it Forward Community Foundation. With a clear vision in mind, he aimed to showcase the hidden treasures of Ugandain a responsible way while ensuring the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage and also giving back to the community through social responsibility through donating a considerable amount to livestock and seedlings donations to local community of Tooro Region as the name of the Foundation suggests.
He has since established strong relationships with local communities, ensuring that travelers have authentic interactions and contribute positively to the local economy.
Pay it Forward Community Foundation tour packages are renowned for their unique blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and conservation. They specialize in crafting tailor-made itineraries that cater to the individual preferences and interests of their clients. From thrilling gorilla trekking expeditions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to immersive cultural encounters with the indigenous Batwa tribe, each experience is thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories.
Arthur Baranga firmly believes in giving back to the communities that have contributed to the success of their business. They actively collaborate with local organizations, supporting initiatives that promote education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. Through sustainable tourism practices, Arthur Baranga ensures that the benefits of tourism reach the grassroots level, empowering local communities and fostering a sense of ownership and pride.