Dance of Hope is Africa’s leading youth-based arts education program that explores the transformational power of music and dance, capturing the messages of hope and resilience that emanate from memorable cross-cultural stage productions and youth outreach. This program is run by M-LISADA, a non profit organization and children's center based in Kampala, Uganda and World Bridge Foundation, a 501(c)3 arts education nonprofit organization based in the United States.
Dance of Hope strives to inspire, empower and connect young people and communities globally, while raising support to provide quality education for children living in impoverished communities and improving the quality of life for their families.
Dance of Hope brings stories, songs and dances to main-stages and schools worldwide. When the young touring ensemble visits schools, festivals, cultural centers and community gatherings, memorable opportunities are created for children and adults from different countries and backgrounds to find common space. Through vibrant performances, panel discussions and hand-on engagements, participants learn about the role music plays in creating awareness of many important issues such as global poverty, peace, eduations, justice, environmental protection, empowerment and self-esteem building.
Dance of Hope not only nurtures children and empowers them, helping them to heal the pain conferred by poverty and disenfranchisement, but encourages them to express themselves loudly, powerfully and in communion with others. The touring cast members have come from the worst environments imaginable to turn negative stories into positive ones, showcasing a resilience born out of the sounds that enhance creativity, persistence and change.
Dance of Hope inspires audiences to explore their own feelings and seek healthy, creative modes of expression for releasing them. Audiences who experience the power of Dance of Hope performances are gripped by the emotional impact of candid storytelling and inspired to support the arts and education! Across the globe, young people are motivated to learn and open to new experiences – Dance of Hope uses music, art and life skills to emphasize this commonality and to allow it to blossom.
Dance of Hope was created in 2010 by Ugandan musician, Educator and World Bridge Foundation founder Chinobay (née Herbert Kinobe), and Segawa Bosco - once an orphan on the streets of Kampala, Uganda who founded M-LISADA, one of the most revered children’s homes in the country.
Growing up in an impoverished community with few resources, Chinobay’s story is exceptional. Although he has traveled the world widely, performing music in all corners of the globe, his connection to Uganda is unwavering.
In 2008 while on tour in the US, Chinobay was introduced to the work of M-LISADA children’s home by Charles Terry, a philanthropist who had been supporting the home for several years. When Charles visited Uganda again, he invited Chinobay to M-LISADA where they attended a performance given by children living at the center and experiencing profound hardship.
Despite the turmoil - both emotional and financial - that they had endured, their smiles still shone through. Hundreds of children were eager to perform their music, and Chinobay found himself moved to tears - at one time, he had been one of those children. While watching the children perform, he could envision a dream come true where they could travel around the world to share their songs and stories with communities worldwide while striving to restore dignity and self-confidence.
This emotional experience led Chinobay to return to M-LISADA by himself the day after, to meet with Bosco Segawa, who was the director at the time. They shared their personal stories, experiences and ideas on how these vulnerable children could create a path for sustainable solutions that could transform their local communities and this marked the birth of Dance of Hope.