The skies were gray and drizzly the day we gathered for our final annual Kisoro Kids meeting — a fitting reflection of the bittersweet emotions many of us were feeling. Yet, inside the building, warmth and joy filled the air, along with the smell of mounds of Mexican food and the tempting sight of a giant cookie cake waiting in the corner.
As current and past board members piled their plates high, the room buzzed with conversation. We reminisced about how far we’ve come in helping the kids of Kisoro. We talked about the many people who’ve contributed over the years, from those sitting around the table that day to others who couldn’t make it. The early board members who stood beside Chris and Kelly played an essential role in getting Kisoro Kids off the ground.
We couldn’t help but feel deeply grateful for all of them.
A Legacy in Action
Amid the laughter and chatter, we paused to watch a video from Violet, one of our Kisoro Kids who graduated school and is now preparing for higher education, studying midwifery. As she shared her plans, more than a few tissues came out. Seeing how far Violet has come reminded us of why Kisoro Kids existed in the first place.
We also watched a video from Simon and Aggie, accompanied by the background “singing” of what sounded like thousands of cicadas. Together, they took us on a journey through Kisoro Kids’ history, from its earliest days to the present. For some of our newer board members, it was the first time they’d heard the full story. For the rest of us, it was a poignant reminder of everything we’ve accomplished together.
A Bittersweet Farewell
After lunch, we held our final annual board meeting, a moment that felt both significant and surreal. But this time, nobody rushed off when it was over. Instead, we lingered — browsing through handmade products from Aggie’s Arts, picking out Kisoro Kids t-shirts, and selecting ornaments from the nonprofit’s Christmas tree to keep as mementos.
Finally, after hugs all around, we left the building for the last time. It was a moment filled with mixed emotions, but as we stepped outside, we carried something bigger with us: the knowledge that the programs we helped create in Kisoro will continue to thrive.
So, yes, it’s the end of Kisoro Kids as an organization. But it’s not really the end. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter — one where the seeds we’ve planted will keep growing and transforming lives for years to come.
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