about mahaba foundation
Strengthening Communities With Local Solutions
Founded in 2024 by Leslie Silletti in Chicago, Illinois, the Mahaba Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of refugees, asylum seekers, and other underserved, vulnerable populations, particularly in Eastern Africa. Committed to facilitating locally driven solutions, the Foundation operates on the belief that collaboration enables individuals to define their own happiness and pursue pathways that foster freedom, livelihood, and well-being.
Guided by the motto "We will find a way or make one," the Mahaba Foundation embodies resilience and determination in its mission to co-create lasting change in the communities in which it collaborates. By enabling people from across the globe to share and contribute to this mission, everyone can participate in amplifying the voices of those in need: individuals, religious groups, universities, civic organizations, and others. This collective effort fosters empathy and understanding, creating a global community that bridges distances and fosters deeper connections through shared experiences, as we come together by our common humanity.
The Mahaba Foundation seeks to be a facilitator, providing a direct link between those who wish to contribute, in any capacity, and the individuals and communities they serve. This approach ensures that anyone interested in making a difference, regardless of distance or cultural divides, can do so meaningfully. Together, we reinforce the foundation's commitment to building relationships and creating lasting impact while finding joy in the largest and smallest of life's moments.
Fabrications: Sewing Arts Training Center
The Fabrications: Sewing Arts Training Center is a vocational training program initiated in 2024 by the Mahaba Foundation in partnership with the Youth Organization for Building African Communities (YOBAC) within the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, Uganda. This project was developed in response to the acute need for vocational skills training and employment opportunities for refugees, many of whom face limited access to education and economic empowerment due to displacement from conflict.
The center operates on a cohort-based model, where students enroll in a comprehensive 3-month training course that covers both foundational sewing techniques and advanced tailoring skills. With 30 hours of training per week, the program ensures students gain both depth and practical proficiency in their craft.
After completing the initial training, students enter Phase 2, an advanced apprenticeship program based on a cooperative business model. In this phase, students not only refine their tailoring skills but also take an active role in shaping the business. They collaborate to define and implement the cooperative’s structure, gaining hands-on experience in both entrepreneurship and financial literacy. This approach empowers participants to contribute to the business's growth while ensuring the model reflects their collective vision and aspirations for sustainability and success.
Funding will be vital to sustaining the training center, allowing it to grow and enhance its capacity to serve more individuals. With additional resources, the center can expand its reach, offering its impactful training programs to larger cohorts. Furthermore, financial support will enable the establishment of new centers in other regions, replicating the cooperative business model that encourages local involvement and long-term sustainability. This growth will allow more communities to benefit, providing opportunities for individuals to build skills and shape their futures with greater confidence and autonomy.
Food Security and Nutrition Program
The Mahaba Foundation's acquisition of 1.5 acres of fertile land for Youth Organization for Building African Communities (YOBAC) has played a significant role in securing a sustainable food source for its students. The crops will provide regular meals that support the health and nutrition of the students, many of whom rely on these meals for daily sustenance. This reduces food insecurity while encouraging school attendance, as students are more likely to come to class when meals are available.
In addition to addressing nutritional needs, the land creates economic opportunities for the local community. The harvested crops not only feed the students but also generate income through the sale of surplus produce. This revenue is reinvested into purchasing additional nutritious food options and expanding the capacity of the meal program, ensuring a self-sustaining food system that contributes to YOBAC’s financial stability. The program serves as a blueprint for how local resources can create sustainable solutions for ongoing challenges.
Additionally, the cultivation of the land provides jobs for community members, offering sustainable employment for those involved in farming and distribution. This initiative not only strengthens food security but also supports community development, reinforcing YOBAC’s broader goal of long-term self-reliance and resilience for the entire region.
By enhancing the farm’s capacity, YOBAC will improve students' nutrition and generate additional revenue through surplus crop sales. This support will bolster food security and create more job opportunities for community members, contributing to long-term self-reliance and economic resilience. Investing in the land's sustainability will help ensure the continued growth of YOBAC’s meal program while fostering local economic development.
Vocational Training and Creative Arts Center
he Igulu Foundation, located in Bujagali Village, Eastern Uganda, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of vulnerable children and single mothers through access to education, practical skills, and community empowerment. Established in 2018, the organization focuses on supporting orphans and children facing difficult circumstances while fostering a nurturing environment for community members. Igulu’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty through programs that emphasize skill-building, self-reliance, and holistic development.
In collaboration with the Mahaba Foundation, the Igulu Foundation is developing a Vocational Training and Creative Arts Center to address the unique needs of the Bujagali community. This initiative will provide vocational training in sewing and other practical skills for single mothers, helping them create sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, the center will offer workshops and presentations in creative arts, including local crafts, for youth and community members, promoting self-expression, cultural preservation, and community engagement.
This joint effort aims to equip individuals with the tools and resources needed to build brighter futures while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Donations to the Mahaba Foundation will directly support this project by funding training programs, materials, and operational costs, ensuring the success of this community-driven solution. Together, the Mahaba Foundation and the Igulu Foundation are building pathways to resilience and opportunity in Bujagali Village.
For more information about the Igulu Foundation and its initiatives, you can visit their official website: Igulu Foundation.
Help Sustain and Grow Our Sewing Arts Training Center
Your tax-deductible donations will help sustain the training center at the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement and expand the model to other communities in need. Donations will further support local communities in identifying, and creating, opportunities to monetize the skills acquired at the training centers.
Help Support Our New Training Center
Your donations will support the development of the Vocational Training and Creative Arts Center.. Contributions will provide essential resources for single mothers to gain practical skills and sustainable livelihoods, and for youth and community members to engage in creative arts and cultural preservation.
Make an Undesignated Donation
Your undesignated tax-deductible donation will be used to support ongoing Mahaba Foundation activities. The Foundation will support ongoing priority programs.
COMING SOON - ONLINE STORE!
Online Store: Supporting the Community Through Your Purchases
Coming Soon! The Handmade with Love Collection. We are currently building inventory so that we can offer handmade items from the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement delivered to your doorstep! Proceeds from your purchases will go directly to the artists themselves and to the support and growth of the sewing center. We guarantee you will have the opportunity to share stories about your new community as people pass along their compliments!
Who We Are - Mahaba Foundation
Founder and President Leslie Silletti
Leslie Silletti founded the Mahaba Foundation in 2024 out of a deep passion for serving the needs of refugees, orphaned children, and other underserved, vulnerable populations. With a vision to enhance existing efforts within the U.S. and Eastern Africa, Leslie is dedicated to making participation accessible to everyone, ensuring that all individuals can play a role in building community, no matter the distance between us. By facilitating this process, the foundation aims to create a network of connections that helps make vital resources available to those in need and grow our global community.
Under her leadership, the Mahaba Foundation is committed to working alongside communities to develop, facilitate, and implement locally-driven solutions that address the unique needs of those the Foundation serves. Leslie believes in the power of collaboration, standing alongside communities to co-create paths forward. She is inspired by those working around the world to advocate for every individual having the freedom and safety to define their own happiness and make choices that support their livelihoods and personal freedoms.
Director Earl Buford
As the president of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) in the U.S.A., Earl Buford oversees the national nonprofit organization's work to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth for adult learners in collaboration with workforce and economic developers, post-secondary educators, employers, industry groups, foundations, and other mission-aligned organizations. Before joining CAEL, Buford was the Chief Executive Officer of Partner4Work, the leader of the public workforce system for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, as well as Employ Milwaukee, where he was nationally recognized for implementing and integrating a sector-based approach to workforce development.
Director Kenneth Griffin
Kenneth’s passion for community service and hospitality led him to establish No Matter What, an organization committed to uplifting youth in Chicago. Growing up on the South Side, where resources are scarce, he was determined to be part of the solution essential for the city’s youth. Kenneth began his career in the culinary and hospitality industries before transitioning to law enforcement as a Chicago Police Officer, where he serves as the department's Youth Officer.
At No Matter What, the mission is clear: to ensure that every young person, regardless of their circumstances, has access to resources and support that enable them to thrive. Kenneth's vision is to create a nurturing environment where all youth feel valued and have the opportunity to achieve their potential.
By fostering partnerships and mobilizing community resources, No Matter What seeks to build a brighter future for young people in Chicago, emphasizing that when we come together, we can make a significant difference in their lives.
Project Manager Micho Huzaifa
Micho Huzaifa, hailing from Bujagali Village near Jinja, "the Source of the Nile," in Eastern Uganda, serves as the Project Manager for the Mahaba Foundation. In this role, he plays a vital part in designing and implementing projects that directly benefit local communities. One of Micho's standout strengths is his ability to build collaborative opportunities with residents, ensuring that their voices are heard and integrated into the foundation's initiatives.
Navigating environments where there is not always a common language, Micho effectively fosters communication and understanding among diverse groups. His commitment to serving the people of Uganda is evident in his efforts to connect them with the broader world, bridging gaps and creating pathways for collaboration and growth. Micho's dedication to empowering his community reflects the core mission of the Mahaba Foundation, making him an invaluable asset to the organization and the region.