DR. JANE MILLAR – ROTARY DISTRICT GRANT SUBCOMMITTEE
I think what was really exciting about this project is around the world, there’s a tremendous need for basics, I mean food, shelter, clean water, health care, etc. but this orphanage, for lack of a better word, addresses these aspects but also addressed the culture. It makes the world richer to preserve all of this heritage and all of this culture. I think that’s why Bitone was so exciting. It addressed these issues. The dance, the music, the art — it’s all a part of the whole package.”
GRANT BUR – CHICAGO, USA
I believe that the world needs to hear Bitone’s music and story. I have lost count of how many tears of joy I have witnessed from Bitone’s growing fan base, and how many people have used words like ‘healing’ and ‘transformative’ while explaining their listening experience. What Bitone has taught me is that our respective cultures can and need to engage in mutually beneficial relationships and I greatly look forward to playing my role in facilitating that exchange.”
SARAH HEDDON – CALIFORNIA, USA
Working with the Bitone Center has been incredible. I met Branco in 2005 and was immediately hooked on the organization’s energy, spirit and potential. Through several visits to Bitone Center in Uganda in 2006 and 2007, I was honored to experience the unique talent of Bitone children. As each child shared a bit of their journey with me, I was impressed with their generosity, courage, tenacity and most importantly, their commitment to the overall mission of the organization. Not only are they incredibly talented young musicians and performers, I found each child investing into the operation of the Center in their own way. Helping each other study, organizing center chores, getting everyone to practice on time, encouraging each other through fiery and competitive soccer games, and comforting each other through during difficult memories were all ways I observed Bitone children caring and investing in each other.
Through everyday operations and performances, Bitone children were processing what they had been through, had felt changed somehow by what they were participating in—music, dance and drama—and believed that the mission, operation and function of Bitone was not only something they were benefiting from, but something they wanted to invest in, perpetuate and live to help each other and build the next generation of Ugandans. This is why this organization is so special and has so much potential—the investment within comes from the youngest, 8yr old member. Bitone Children are a testament to the passion and dedication of Bitone Staff. Branco, Hassan, Eve, Rita and the rest of the Bitone staff’s greatest asset remains their ability to share their talents, gifts and passion with anybody and everybody—to get others plugged into this investment they feel down to the very ground level.
I’m excited to see Bitone grow, change more children’s lives, and continue to inspire hope in Ugandan communities, communities throughout the U.S. and beyond.”
FRANCIS KATIMBO – UGANDA
I will never forget my first footsteps at this project way back on10th-June-2009 to-date. Everyday, I enjoy watching Bitone kids jumping out of their seats – cheering and clapping and supporting each other to grow and become useful. Bitone certainly taps on the highly needed area through empowering the young generation with life skills.”
ALLANA KEMBABAZI – CONNECTICUT, USA
Perhaps the greatest value of this project is to remind the kids how special and talented they are and to inspire them to do something with their lives. Hope might not seem essential, but to kids that have grown up in conditions of poverty, and conflict, its almost impossible for them to dream in a better future.”