Welcome to 
The Shanti Uganda Society improves infant and maternal health, provides safe women-centered care and supports the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
Celebrate Uganda 2013
For more information, visit the Celebrate Uganda 2013 page!
'Yogawoman' Screening and Silent Auction a success!
On Tuesday, February 28th, The Shanti Uganda Society held a special screening of Yogawoman as well as a silent auction at Denman Cinemas. With silent auction contributions from more than 45 yoga studios, ethical businesses and friends, significant funds were raised towards improving infant and maternal health in Uganda. A special thank you to My Yoga Online and Heart Centre Yoga for sponsoring the event!
REACH Out to the Mommies: Become a Birth Partner
** The option to support one birth bi-monthly for $25/month is also available **
Learn More about Shanti Uganda
Shanti Uganda inquiries:
The Latest News
Women and Children Last
By Sadie St. Denis, Shanti Uganda Project Coordinator
Photo Credit: Yulia Kirshtein, Shanti Uganda Volunteer
I am often asked the question: “Why does Shanti Uganda only serve women?” and “Why doesn’t Shanti include men in the Women’s Income Generating Group?” or “Why don’t you have an adolescent boys program?”
The other day while attending my friend’s university reunion I found myself intrigued and spellbound over the most trivial argument.
The event was held last Sunday on the sports grounds of Makerere University in Kampala. I arrived shortly before lunch and sat down to catch up with my friend and ‘meet and greet’ his friends. I was given a large paper cup of fresh juice which much to my dismay I couldn’t enjoy since I was still stuffed from the lunch I had eaten before arriving. I accepted it anyhow biting at the straw and milking the drink while I took in the event. As the hour passed, my friend became more absorbed in catching up with his old schoolmates and I turned my attention to the various goings-on around me.
My attention came to rest upon a small argument that was
brewing under a tree between a young university-aged man and a similarly aged
young woman. It was apparent that the jerry-can full of fresh juice that had
only an hour ago been passed out so plentifully, was now starting to dry up.
The man who was seated with his hand on the handle of the jerry-can had
evidently appointed himself as protector and official distributor of the
remaining drops of juice. The woman was kneeled in front of the man with a
water bottle at the spout of the jerry-can and evidently expected more juice!
Though I was seated too far away to hear the words of the argument it was clear
the two did not see eye-to-eye on how the remaining juice should be
distributed. As the argument became more heated the young woman asserted her
position by also grabbing hold of the jerry-can. The young woman argued ever
more fiercely and finally the self-appointed distributer reluctantly filled her
bottle to about the half way mark less an ounce or two. While the two had been
arguing, an older gentleman (or ‘mzee’) stepped over with his own water bottle;
as soon as the woman left, the mzee swooped in with his bottle. Without
argument or exchange the young man filled the mzee’s bottle about three
quarters of the way full. The mzee however did not budge and it was clear the
old gentleman expected his bottle filled to the brim! The young man looked up
at the mzee and in an exasperated tone questioned “Sebo?!”, as if to say “Dude?
Seriously?!” Despite this though he tilted the jerry can and filled the bottle
to the very brim. No sooner had the mzee left did a young boy of about eight
happen over with his own empty bottle. The young man poured enough for two
child-sized mouthfuls into the bottle. The child held the bottle up to eye
level to evaluate his meager helping. His expression didn’t show much in the
way of surprise or resentment but rather disappointed acceptance.
