In 2023, our projects focus on empowering women!

At its annual meeting in January, the Board of Directors of Heart Sounds affirmed that consistent with its mission, our focus in 2023 will be to continue to empower young women to meet their fullest potential. Here are some of our projects for this year:

Paibona Secondary School

Internal conflicts within countries often cripple the development of normal services such as education. Such was the case in Paibona, a rural village in the Gulu of northern Uganda. More than 25 years ago, the Conflict as it was known resulted in displacement of many of its residents.

As of 2021, there was still no secondary school in the area. In early 2022, the Board of the Paibona Secondary School Project contacted Heart Sounds for assistance.

We began by providing some desks to be used in the first building that was constructed. In 2023, our plan is to continue working with the Board to assure that, among other things, young women have the opportunity to attend school and complete their education. Our goal is to have 10 girls enrolled in the secondary school program. We will assist with their school fees, as well as provide psychosocial  other support to these families and the girls doing ensure success.  

Country Director Simon Nduala (3rd from left ) and Heart Sounds Board member , John Paul Agaba ( far right ) meet with the Paibona School Board Members at the school.
The dormitory now safely houses 50 your women!

Home for Divine Mercy Dormitory

GOOD NEWS! Thanks to our generous donors, the dormitory was completed, and is full of the happy sounds of those who live there. A dream of founder, Father Evarist Ankwasiize, this dormitory houses 50 vulnerable girls, assuring them safety and security as they pursue vocational training. Thank you Lions Club, District 33 K in Massachusetts and the Knights of Columbus, Council 81 in Marlborough, Massachusetts as well as many private donors.

Our work with the Home continued in 2022 with the provision of emergency food supplies during the holidays, as well as completion of a toilet facility to serve the dormitory.

Following a consultation by Simon Nduala Heart Sounds Country Director with the Sisters of the Consolers of the Sacred Heart  who manage the Home our 2023 goals include equipment updates for sewing and knitting classes as well as assisting the Home in evaluating new program efforts to help the Home be self-sustainable.

Health Clinics

Heart Sounds US, Inc. in conjunction with Rugarama Hospital continues to provide much-needed outreach clinics for dental and eye care, as well as screening and referral for treatment of diabetes and hypertension in rural village in Kabale (Kigezi region in western Uganda). Several hundred people have received care in 2021 and 2022with more outreach planned in 2023.

Thanks to a $1000 donation from the Rotary Club of Marlborough, in April 2023, Richard Pulice, President of Heart Sounds will bring much needed to supplies for the clinic including gowns, gloves and dental equipment. Thank you Rotarians for your commitment to those in need.

Vision screening is provided to all in our collaboration with the Rugarama Hospital.

Heart Sounds US Jewelry

In 2013 the idea of creating a sustainable business to support those recovering from mental illness was begun. Now Heart Sounds US, at fair trade markets in New York, sells jewelry on behalf of recovering individuals, returning 100% of the funds to these skilled craftspeople.

In 2023 we plan to grow this sustainable business with new opportunities at Fair Trade Markets in Massachusetts and New York and online.

Meet the young women who create beautiful jewelry all made from recycled paper.  

Please visit our ETSY Store https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartSoundsJewelry to purchase some of this beautiful work!