Wellness With Her Club

18th April 2025

Last Holy Thursday, just before the Easter celebrations, a team from Wellness with Her, led by our vibrant Wato Movement Workshop facilitators, joined hands with The Closet Drain Charity — currently known under that name and led by the warm-hearted Tusiime Tutu — for a deeply moving visit to Kiteezi Samaritan.

Nestled in a community that has known more pain than most, Kiteezi recently captured international attention after a tragic incident at the nearby landfill. A massive waste collapse claimed lives and displaced families, shaking the already fragile trust the residents had in the systems meant to protect them. But amid this backdrop of grief and resilience, our visit was a small offering of love, connection, and renewal.

Dancing Through the Journey

The heartbeat of our day was, as always, movement. Through our signature Wato Movement workshops, we danced alongside the women and young girls, joining in the joy and openness into the space. There’s something profoundly healing in shared rhythm — swaying hips, lifted arms, the beat of drums and song echoing off tin roofs and hopeful hearts.

This wasn’t just dance for performance — it was connection. It was therapy. It was a language that transcended trauma. The women moved with us, laughed with us, and even taught us a few of their own dances. Together, we created a momentary escape from grief and an anchoring into the now.

Clothing Drive: An Easter of Dignity

The core purpose of the visit was our Easter Clothing Drive. Thanks to the generosity of our communities, we came bearing clothing for women and children — a gesture that went beyond fabric. It was about dignity, warmth, and the assurance that someone out there cares.

As we sorted through garments together, helping women find items that made them smile, we were reminded that Easter is truly about resurrection — not just in the spiritual sense, but also in the everyday rebuilding of faith, community, and self-worth.

Shared Meals and Sacred Conversations

We shared a meal — not just food, but stories. We laughed, reflected, and listened. The women told us of their lives after the landfill collapse, of the fear that lingered and the courage that pushed them forward. We listened not with pity, but with solidarity, drawing strength from their strength.

In conversations with the Samaritan centre’s management, we learned about their vision to rebuild trust and stability within the community. Plans are underway to offer more psychosocial support, create safer housing options, and implement long-term sustainable interventions for families living on the margins.

A Day of Full Circle Moments

As we left Kiteezi Samaritan, our hearts were heavy with the stories we carried, but light with the joy we had shared. It was a full circle day; a story of continuation from grief to grace, from silence to song. And though we went to give, we left having received so much more — the beauty of resilience, the power of collective joy, and the reminder that healing doesn’t always come in silence. Sometimes, it dances.

We remain deeply grateful to Tusime Tutu and The Closet Drain Charity for the invitation, and to the women of Kiteezi for letting us into their stories. We carry them with us, as we continue to use dance, movement, and wellness as a bridge toward hope.

Wellness with Her continues to stand with communities, reminding all of us: Be well, be you.