M-LISADA (Music, Life Skills, and Destitution Alleviation) is a grassroots orphanage in Kampala, Uganda, which has survived against overwhelming odds for 13 years. It is home to 70 orphaned or abandoned children ages 4 through 18, and the daytime refuge for up to 80 more impoverished children. Led by 6 resourceful young people who were street kids themselves, the group survives by doing what they love—performing! Their brass band, cultural song and dance troupe, and acrobats work for donations and at local events.

Music to the Rescue!

M-LISADA began in 1996 as 6 destitute homeless boys on the streets of Kampala, foraging for food in ever-present piles of garbage. Through a chance meeting, a benefactor gave them several second-hand musical instruments and some lessons. With practice they became street musicians. As other homeless children attracted by their performances asked to join them, the group grew to its present size.  Today they live as one family in a donated compound. The older children teach and care for the younger ones, and they share everything they have while facing the challenges of hunger, illness, and lack of education and opportunity. They still often run out of food, but as you can from these video clips, their spirit is unquenchable. Their motto: “Music to the rescue!” 

Their Dream

M-LISADA’s dream is two-fold: to become financially self-sufficient and to inspire other impoverished children to reach their own potential. With help in further developing their skills, guidance in performance production and marketing, help in building a network of friends and supporters, as well as additional musical instruments, better dance costumes, and adequate publicity, this talented tribe of survivors believes they can not only cover their food and health care and send all of their members to school, but can also show other Ugandan orphans and abandoned children a more hopeful future.