Our Story

Bridging Villages began as a seed in the mind of Lindsay and Zaid shortly after their first trip to Uganda in June of 2014 where they volunteered with a local, Ugandan organization in hopes that they would be able to put their skills to work in whatever way possible at a rural school and medical clinic.  During this time, they stayed with a woman named Nagadya Lillian Mugalula and the eight children that she had taken into her home.  While their trip was cut short, when Lindsay became ill with malaria, they did manage to develop an incredibly strong relationship with Lillian and her kids and committed to help develop her school in whatever way possible. 

Upon returning to their home city of Winnipeg, they immediately began brainstorming fundraisers that would allow for the installation of a cement floor in the main school building (prevent jigger bug infections in children’s feet), roofs on each of the classrooms, new chalkboards, desks, and beds for the kids staying with Lillian as well as the construction of a new classroom building and eventually the purchase of new land for expansion of the school.  With the incredible outpouring of support from friends, family and community members they met each of these goals.  That is when they realized that there are countless people in this world that want so desperately to contribute to something life-changing, they just aren’t always sure how to start.  Hence the launching of Bridging Villages, which would provide a long-term source of funding for the people of Namavundu and the Wakiso district while also providing the opportunity for people in developed countries, such as Canada, to be a part of something incredible, with the potential to impact the lives of countless amazing people.

This charity began as a way to assist Lillian in completing the development of Mugalula Community school so that more children, who could not afford tuition, would continue to have the opportunity to gain an education.  But what Bridging Villages has grown into is so far beyond what was ever dreamed possible.  Through working with our partners and friends in Uganda as well as brainstorming with our board of directors, we have designed an organization that is multi-faceted and involves a holistic view of working with these communities in Uganda. We want to see children meeting their full potential, living in financially sustainable households, becoming educated and living healthy, incredible lives.  We do not believe that any child should be prevented from having these basic needs met, regardless of their faith, gender or socio-economic upbringing.