In a show of collective support and unity, more than 500 Muslim youths participated in the 2023 ‘Educate an Orphan’ run on Sunday, organized by the ‘Educate an Orphan’ organization. This initiative was founded by former students of under the Makerere University Muslim Student’s Association-MUMSA.
Dr. Mohammed Kigundu, the patron of the organization, flagged off the runners who engaged in both 5 and 10-kilometer runs from Law Development Center grounds on a Sunday. During the event, he unveiled the organization’s current goal of acquiring land at Shillings 120 million to construct an orphanage school.
This school will serve as a beacon of education for numerous Muslim orphans.
Dr. Kigundu emphasized that beyond education, they are committed to instilling the value of collective effort in the young generation. He underlined the importance of communities coming together to support each other for the greater good.
“Currently we are considering orphans from Muslim families because we are not too big to touch what we can’t afford, but when a school comes on board, then there will be consideration because we are one, and we have to work together,” Dr. Kigundu stated.
Aisha Nassanga, a participant in the run, highlighted the importance of Muslims uniting to support their fellow brothers and sisters who face disadvantages. “Education is one of the basic needs we can afford to give as Muslims so that every Muslim child, mostly the orphans, can get a chance of acquiring a quality education”. Nassanga noted.
The ‘Educate an Orphan’ initiative was established by MUMSA in 2018 as a charitable organization dedicated to positively impacting the lives of Muslims across various aspects of life throughout the country. The 2023 run marked the third edition of the event, and it successfully raised over Shillings 40 million.
The proceeds will be directed towards purchasing land along Katosi Road in Mukono, where the envisioned school will stand as a symbol of hope and empowerment for young Muslim orphans.
By Fred Kayongo
