Living Up To Our Name
In March of 2023, we finally began to discover the true meaning of The World in Lights: To highlight communities in different parts of the world. We had the honor of heading to Bwassandeku, a small rural community in southwestern Uganda (near Masaka), to partner with Raise the Roof Academy in helping them raise money to build their high school. We did it through the power of music, completing a full day of live recording with 1,500 kids and parents from the surrounding communities and villages. We accompanied the children’s choir and shared in the joy of music, movement, and dance. It was one of the most authentic and joyous experiences of our lives. To leave the stress and overwhelm of America to be in a place with happy, peaceful people that have virtually nothing but each other was inspiring and motivating and shifted our perspective in the most positive way.
During our time in Uganda, we worked closely with the students at Raise the Roof Academy, sharing our musical knowledge and collaborating with them on some of our previously recorded songs with some of the best musicians we have ever worked alongside. We also had the opportunity to learn about Ugandan music, culture, food, and dance, and to witness firsthand the transformative power of music education. We spent valuable time with the staff, sharing meals and learning the language, as well as laughing and building long-lasting friendships.
About Raise the Roof Academy
Raise the Roof Academy was built in the fall of 2010 and opened its doors for a school with thirty children. The academy began a child sponsorship program to introduce people in the United States to the children in rural Uganda to help them receive an education. It has now grown to over 1,500 kids, and they have outgrown their campus and need to build a new school to accommodate the high schoolers. The children at RTRA receive breakfast and lunch, educational opportunities, health and hygiene training, and the caring embrace of a local school and church that fosters love and growth. They learn to cultivate land and take care of animals. They are disciplined and engaged in daily routines. They are community-driven, focused, and motivated by hope. Just one in seven children in the Kalungu district that start primary school make it to high school. At Raise the Roof Academy, 95% of the students move from primary to high school. The staff are dedicated and focused on giving all the support needed to help the kids follow through and get the education they need to thrive in society and be leaders for their own future, the future of their country. It has been a huge success.
Why build a High School?
RTRA high school students account for 13% of the total current student body population and are expected to increase to 30% by 2024. Because of the rapid growth, the RTRA High School has been temporarily housed in the pavilion on the main campus of the primary school. It’s necessary to expand the campus to accommodate the growth and success of the students.
If you want to be a part of this journey to help them build the high school:
donate here.
OR
BECOME A SPONSOR
As The World in Lights, we seek to empower, engage, and unite communities all over the globe through the power of music, and we believe in this organization and what they are doing. The work is astounding, and they are giving incredible opportunities where they would not otherwise be given. They are also one of the only schools in the area that isn't segregated by religion and gives equal opportunity to the surrounding area and serves the community.
Overall, the experience was deeply enriching for us and the students at Raise the Roof Academy. It serves as a testament to the universal language of music and its ability to bring people together from different corners of the world. We hope to do more of this in the future. We cannot get enough.
Watch our Experience with RTRA below :)
