we are
change
makers
With our values of local ownership, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and accountability, we have seen true and lasting change become a reality, proving that sustainable community development is successful when it comes from within.

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Our Story
in the beginning
When three university students traveled to Uganda for an internship, they did not know their lives and the lives of so many more would be changed forever. While in eastern rural Uganda, they discovered 162 children living at an orphanage in the worst conditions imaginable. These children, ages 4-14, were sleeping in three tiny rooms, without beds or blankets, on a rocky dirt floor. Rats climbed over them as they slept and their bedrooms turned to mud when it rained. Their bodies were covered in rashes and many suffered from bacterial infections. Day-to-day, these children were hungry, sitting idle, uneducated, unloved, and completely hopeless. It was then that these three college students knew that they couldn’t walk away.
Through partnering with two Ugandan young men, the group of future founders successfully adopted 80 of the 162 children. In September 2008, Musana Children’s Home was established and the children moved into a place they could finally call home. For most of the children, it was their first time sleeping in a bed, their first time receiving three meals a day, proper medical care, a good education, and most importantly… love.


the evolution of musana
Musana’s mantra over the years has become okusoma tekukoma, meaning “learning never ends” in Luganda, Uganda’s national language. The road that has led to where Musana is today has been full of challenges and learning curves. Our progress in so many ways has come from trial and error, fearless of making changes when we have made mistakes. As a result, we have continuously learned the greatest needs of the community and how to work with the people to combat the barriers standing in the way of effective development. One of our first and greatest lessons was that the community did not need another orphanage or children’s home, that would become a “drop-off” spot for parents and guardians who believed their children were better off in the hands of institutions linked to foreign aid.
In 2010, recognizing our impeding action in creating Musana Children’s Home, we changed our name to Musana Community Development Organization (MCDO), a national NGO in Uganda and a 501(c)3 in the United States. The name change was aligned with our evolving mission and vision to tackle one of Uganda’s greatest challenges, the dependency mentality. Read more about The Challenge.


musana today
Musana empowers communities to “be the change” by creating sustainable enterprises that break the cycle of dependency and build pathways out of poverty. In 2018 Musana’s founding community in Iganga reached 100% sustainability. Through this achievement, Musana has proven that sustainable development in low-income communities is not only possible, but it is effective! Under the leadership of Executive Directors Andrea & Haril Kazindra, two of the five founders, Musana’s vision for the future is to replicate the Musana Model in communities across Uganda, East Africa, and eventually, throughout the world. As we expand, we will continue our mission to restore hope and dignity by empowering communities to not only survive, but to thrive!
Our Team
board of directors
Ugandan Local Board
Local boards own and operate all programs on the ground. They oversee the operations and approve all budgets, policies, and work plans. Their role is to ensure the vision, mission, and objectives are being carried out by the local team.
Ugandan Board Members
- Chairperson: Loida Nambi
- Secretary: Haril Kazindra
- Treasurer: Andrea Kazindra
- Beth Baleke
- Dr. Peter Kawanguzi
- Edward Kimalyo
- Beatrice Tanaguza
U.S. Funding Board
The U.S. Funding Board directs the U.S. central arm of the organization. The board’s primary responsibility is to fundraise and support the programs led and owned by the local boards. The U.S. Board has a fiduciary responsibility of ensuring that resources are used wisely, and approves all capital and operating budgets.
U.S. Board Members
- President: Leigh Dunn
- VP: Tracy Pirnack
- Treasurer: Seth Gunderson
- Secretary: Jodi Gawf
- John Sawyer
- Scott Nickell
- Justin Mihalcin
- AJ Bourg
- PJ Martin
- Keith Kasten
U.S. Advisory Board Members
- David Morrison
- Pat Pauline
- Stew Pirnack
- Bob Rensink
- Don Dolifka
- Bob Moser
staff
Musana is not solely a group of people working to empower the people of Uganda. Musana is an entire community that is igniting economic and social transformation through fostering local ownership, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and accountability. Our local leadership and support team, made up of 420 employees, is comprised of the visionaries, initiators, organizers, doers, and advocates for Musana’s sustainable model.
Uganda Team
AllAdminHealthEconomic DevelopmentEducationOutreach Department

Haril Kazindra
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Juliet Angwech
Head of Musana’s Empowerment Center
Carol Agasha
Technical Manager, Musana Health Center
Dr. Ivan Munigwa
Medical Officer
Dr. Jesse Naaya
Head Clinician/ Medical Officer
Edward Maganda
Social Worker
Esther Agwang
Head Teacher at Kamuli Nursery & Primary
Florence Nabaganzi
Social Worker
Harun Wansadha
Sol View Chef & Guesthouse Manager
Henry Ngobi
Head Teacher at Busei Nursery & Primary
Irene Nakagolo
Head of Nursery Section at Busei Primary Campus
Isaac Mugabi
Procurement Officer
Joash Paul Ndizaawa
Social Worker
John Mary Mungere
Financial Controller
Mike Nalugoda
Technical Manager, Primary Schools
Moses Ntawu
Principal at Kaliro Primary Campus
Jude Asiimwe Tadeo
Sol View General Manager
Patrick Nsubuga
Dental Officer
Patrick Opolot
Sol View Store and Procurement Manager
Phillip Aine
Accounts Officer
Ronald Mali
Social Worker
Susan Akunu
Administrative Manager
Susan Kibodyo
Hospital Administrative Assistant
Yona Ibanda
Public Relations & Senior Advisor
Onesmus Owakabi
Medical Officer
Susan Lubwama
Deputy Head Teacher at Musana Vocational High School
Simon Peter Gwok Okungu
Head Teacher at Musana Vocational High School
Prossy Acan
HR Manager
Joseph Opolot
Guest Relations Officer
Herbert Kyewuta
Head Teacher at Bukona Nursery & PrimaryStateside Team

Andrea Kazindra
Co-Founder/Executive Director
Leah Pauline
Co-Founder
Erin Moser
Development Director
Cory Wolven
Communications & Marketing Director
Tami Hall
Development Officer
Susie Knight
Community Engagement Coordinator
Kelly MacDonald
Merchandise and Volunteer Coordinator
Ellen Conner
BookkeeperOur Partners

























