Yentandikwa (This is just the beginning).

Mikaela Coger
Sep 8, 2018 · 6 min read

Marketplace.

Kampala neighborhood.

Richard, our driver and friend.

Crispin, our guide and friend.

A statement billboard at the Equator.

Houses in Kampala.

Matoke and friends.

Visiting the Old Kampala Mosque. Photos taken by Bobby Lubega.

Baby girls at an orphanage in Kampala.

Members of the TASO community form a musical group where they express their experience of living with HIV/AIDS through music and dance.

Students at Gaba Primary School in Kampala.

Dancing with Bead for Life.

Ruth, 26, is a mother, beautician, and sex worker. She dreams of running her own salon. She shares her story because she knows she is not alone, and it gives her a sense of hope and freedom.

Angel, 32, has been in sex work for 14 years. She describes 3 categories of clients: those who purchase sex services, those who receive sexual services and do not pay, and those who receive sexual services, do not pay, abuse and/or steal from the worker. The second is the most common encounter. She asked for our help.

A beautiful wedding in Kampala. Photos taken by Bobby Lubega.

Roadside views.

Animals at home.

Game drive views, day and night.

Safari portraits.

Murchison Falls.

Bobby Lubega, the illest DJ and friend.

Final safari views.

Family in Koboko.

On the way to Bidi Bidi refugee settlement.

3 sisters getting water at Bidi Bidi refugee settlement.

A midwife at Bidi Bidi explains past efforts to promote safe and protected sex, and to reduce family size, through distribution of female condoms. Many women collected condoms and the medical facilities continued to provide until they discovered the condoms were being used as bracelets.

Portraits taken by the Makula students at Gaba Mixed High School.

Students at Music For Life School in Entebbe.

A village built by Bead for Life is home to primarily women. They are struggling because they don’t have the means to buy the machines used to create paper beads. I bought many necklaces and bracelets from them, ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 shillings (about 25–50 cents USD). They gifted me 2 necklaces out of gratitude.

Maus, 16, will live at Wakisa Ministries until she gives birth to her baby boy, whom she will name Jesse.

Coach Angel, happy to connect with the amazing leaders of Bead for Life, is hopeful for the future.

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