The Trip

In 2013, I participated in a Service Learning Trip to Uganda offered by Lasell College (Now Lasell University) and led by the Director of the Ethics program, Dr. Thomas Sullivan. During the two-week trip, 12 classmates and I taught English and math to primary school students in Mbale. We went as a group of college students, but that month changed the way we pray, the way we shop, the way we look at the world, and the way we approach life. We went prepared to tutor the students, but it was the students who taught us the most. The trip opened our eyes to the way we saw the world and changed every single one of us. That was the inspiration behind #doinglittlethingswithpassion, the mantra of EarlyBird256.

As a result of the trip, the percentage of students who passed their Primary Leaving Exams (PLE) increased from 60% to 80%. In addition to education, we realized that the opportunity to provide emotional support is the most important thing we can offer young children, especially girls.

In villages like Bududa and Kamuli, girls are not allowed to express their feelings, and if they do voice their opinions, they are shamed, ignored, or ridiculed. As someone born and raised in Uganda, I felt a special connection with the girls and vowed to dedicate my life’s work to creating a safe space where girls can learn the sound and power of their voices.

In 2018, I got my master’s degree in Media Management. The focus of my research was how the media can be used to solve some of the challenges faced by young girls in rural areas. After years of brainstorming, collaborating, and discussing crisis and risk management, EarlyBird256 was born. The number 256 represents Uganda’s country calling code, but that is not where the mission stops.

Our Story

Creating a safe space where girls can learn the sound and power of their voices

My name is Reginah Sanyu. I am an Operations Specialist, humanitarian, and the founder of EarlyBird256. EarlyBird256 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth, especially girls in Uganda, find the power of their voices through art, movement, and wellness education. The space is inspired by people and activities that helped me navigate life after I left Uganda, as I transitioned from Busega to Boston to Brooklyn. My background and interest in art, fashion, and media, paired with my passion for movement, combined to shape the EarlyBird256 philosophy. We aim to provide girls with educational resources and safe spaces in rural Uganda.

It Takes a Village

Whether you call it a tribe, team, or squad, it is important to have a support system to nurture your growth. As we work on prioritizing this safe space for the girls and boys in developing communities, we are getting help from our family and friends. We are grateful for the people who give us support to fuel our mission.

You are welcome to be part of the squad — it is a space for us to learn from one another. We are huge on energy, honest conversations, and real feedback of what we need to do to normalize safe spaces for girls in developing communities. We are taking it one day at a time while doing little things with passion.

Babu and Nyanya

At the end of the trip, we visited Babu and Nyanya, who were very happy to see me and my friends. We had a beautiful dinner with my family, professors, and classmates, sharing stories and wisdom. My grandparents passed away shortly after I left, but I am grateful that I had the chance to say goodbye. This is another way the trip changed my perspective on life and inspired me to live more authentically and passionately.

This space is a love letter to my grandparents, Babu and Nyanya, who woke up early and were ahead of their time with everything.