UBUNTU INTERNATIONAL × KIIZA WILBROAD
Eight permanent homes, built by the community they serve
The Ubuntu Village! Housing Project was designed to restore dignity, safety and stability to vulnerable women who previously lacked secure shelter — rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
HOW IT STARTED
One storm, one conversation
In 2025 a severe storm tore through Kakindo Village, taking dozens of homes — including those of the village's widows. Kiiza Wilbroad, a young man from the community, brought the situation to Pato Banton, whose non-profit Ubuntu International, co-founded with Antoinette “Rootsdawtah” Hall, had spent years working with disadvantaged communities.
The first answer was Mary's House: 85-year-old Mary Bonekosira, living with HIV, had her home renovated from roofing to flooring, with a toilet and a rainwater tank added. Kiiza then identified eight more widows in the same situation, six acres of land were purchased, and the Ubuntu Village! Housing Project began.
The work is now carried by Edentia International, registered by Kiiza Wilbroad and Pato Banton to operate in Uganda and internationally. Meet the people behind it.
01
Identify and listen
Community leaders name the widows and elders whose shelter has failed. Needs are verified on site, with the family present.
03
Build together
Local teams mould bricks, raise walls and fit iron-sheet roofing. Neighbours contribute labour — the house belongs to the village that built it.
02
Plan and fund
Kiiza Wilbroad coordinates budgets, materials and timelines, serving as the link between Ubuntu International and community stakeholders.
04
Hand over and follow up
Keys are handed over with the community watching, and the household is checked on to make sure the home keeps doing its job.
Project impact
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8 widows and their children have moved into their homes
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6 acres of land purchased for the village
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A main house with meeting hall, two bedrooms and kitchen
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Improved quality of life and personal security
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Strengthened community involvement
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Effective NGO partnership and local leadership
HOW IT STARTED
Phase III — the food forest
All eight homes are complete, with water and electricity provided to every household, an organic garden growing, and homeschooling taking place in the village. The next goal is to finish the landscaping with a sustainable and beautiful food forest.
A substantial donation has also been secured to add the Ubuntu Learning & Leadership Academy and a clinic on a newly purchased one-acre site — and the work is now carried by Edentia International, registered by Kiiza Wilbroad and Pato Banton to operate in Uganda and internationally.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to Wilbroad Kiiza and Tonny for inspiring me to create this beautiful Ubuntu Village Housing Project that now provides free housing for our 8 widows and their children and grandchildren — after we first worked on Mary's House.”
— Pato Banton
THE SITE
Six acres, eight homes, one village
LAND
6 acres
Purchased outright in Kakindo Village so no family can ever be moved off the land they live on.
HOMES
8 units
One permanent house per widow, each with her children and grandchildren living with her.
SHARED BUILDINGS
Main house
Meeting hall, two bedrooms and a kitchen space serving the whole village.
SERVICE
Water & power
Every household connected, with rainwater harvesting and an organic garden on the grounds.
INSIDE A HOME
What each widow received
Built for the climate and for old age: single storey, level thresholds, cross ventilation, and a roof designed to hold in a storm like the one that started all of this.
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Brick walls moulded and laid locally
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Cement floor, sealed against damp
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Rainwater collection
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Safe, lockable storage for medication
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Iron-sheet roof built to hold in a storm
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Private toilet and washing area
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Electricity connection
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Garden plot at the door
TIMELINE
From one rebuilt roof to a village
DECEMBER 2025
The storm
A severe storm tears through Kakindo Village, destroying dozens of homes — including those of the village's widows.
PHASE I-II
Eight homes built
Local teams mould bricks and raise walls. Water and electricity reach every household; the main house and meeting hall follow.
DECEMBER 2026
Mary's House
Kiiza Wilbroad brings the situation to Pato Banton. Mary Bonekosira's home is rebuilt roof to floor, with a toilet and rainwater tank.
HANDOVER
The women move in
All eight widows and their children and grandchildren are officially living in their own permanent homes.
2026
Six acres secured
Eight more widows are identified and verified with community leaders, and land is purchased for the village.
PHASE III
The food forest
Landscaping the village into a sustainable food forest, alongside the new academy and clinic site.
LIFE AFTER HANDOVER
A house is only the beginning
The eight widows live in the village with their children and grandchildren. Water and electricity reach every household. An organic garden feeds the families and teaches the children how to grow food; homeschooling happens on site while the academy is built.
A main house anchors the village with a meeting hall, two bedrooms and a kitchen — the place where decisions are made together, guests are received, and the community gathers.
None of the families pay rent and none of them owe anything. The homes are theirs, permanently, and the village looks after them together. See who makes this possible.