A Musical Journey with Winnie
By Worldwide Musicians United
In Jinja, Uganda, a young woman named Nandase Winnie is preparing to teach music. Her path is not an easy one, but it’s deeply meaningful: she is currently studying to become a music teacher at Sunny Side School—a school we helped bring to life, driven by the belief that music education can and should take root wherever it’s needed most.
Sunny Side began with a simple but powerful intention: to open doors for young people. Together with the Foster program—an initiative of the African Music Library—we developed a curriculum that introduces students to the rich and diverse musical traditions of the African continent. The first phase focused on listening and discovery: different genres, instruments, and prominent musical figures. Now, students are beginning to actively create: to sing, to play, and to understand music as a language they can use to express and connect.
Winnie is part of this process—and also part of what’s to come. With our support, she is pursuing her academic training, which will soon allow her to return to Sunny Side as a teacher. For us, it’s about supporting people within the community who choose to learn and give back. It’s about planting the seeds of a future that can grow from within.
Right now, Winnie is living an unforgettable experience. She was invited, alongside the local ensemble Ngoma ya Mungu, to take part in a cultural tour in South Korea. It’s a unique opportunity to share her music and engage with the world. We’re proud to support her on this journey—not only for what she’ll experience abroad, but for everything she’ll bring home with her: new perspectives, new ideas, and new inspirations.
These aren’t stories of grand triumphs. They’re stories of beginnings, which are still being written.
Of real, human processes that remind us how music, too, can open up doors to the future.
