Two Countries, One Passion…

Kierra Peterson and Molly Nabwami co-founded WeRis(H)er Initiative in 2022. They met virtually while working with One School At A Time (1SAT) in Boulder, Colorado, USA, and Kassanda District, Uganda, respectively. When 1SAT closed due to impacts caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, they were heartbroken but deeply grateful to Bay Roberts (co-founder of 1SAT) for her mentorship and remarkable work over the years. However, Kierra and Molly saw a gap in service provision and a need to continue the mission of reaching every child and every school in Kassanda District, Uganda.

  • They thought to themselves, "We can continue the work that 1SAT began. We’re a part of the next generation and have the potential to push this forward, mobilize communities, and create a positive, sustainable future for girls and women of menstruating age."

    With passion and determination, they were joined by Steve Byers, Wynne Maggie, and Ish Bowman (former supporters of 1SAT), who strongly believed in their cause and became their first funders. Beyond financial support, they continue to provide guidance as WR(H)* grows. Shoutout to the power team!

    *Abbreviation for WeRis(H)er Initiative

Our Goals

Goal #1: Improved Menstrual Health & Hygiene Management

We’re working to ensure every girl in Kassanda District can manage her period with dignity—through access to reusable pads, accurate information, and safe school environments.

📊 The Challenge

  • 🚸 23% of girls drop out of school after starting their periods

  • 📉64% of girls regularly miss class due to lack of menstrual products & facilities.

  • 🗓️Evidence from 40 schools across Mityana and Kassanda shows girls lose about 2–5 days of school per month due to poor menstrual hygiene support—that’s 24–60 days a year. Monitor

💡 Our Approach

  • Local pad production & distribution

  • Age-appropriate menstrual health education

  • Male & community engagement

  • School-based MHH programs with hygiene kits

    Together, we’re breaking stigma and keeping girls in school.

READ

Goal #2: Alternative Career PathWays

In partnership with FabriMart, we are building self-reliant, empowered communities in Kassanda District through skills training in fabrication and woodwork.

📊 The Challenge (Kassanda District)

Kassanda’s artisanal miners — over 30,000 hardworking individuals — live in squalid conditions with low pay and poor sanitation. Monitor

Thousands of families lack stable income opportunities, limiting access to necessities like education, health, and decent housing.

💡 Our Approach

🛠 Skills Training: Equip community members with vocational training in agriculture, livestock rearing, crafts, and entrepreneurship.

💰 Financial Literacy & Savings: Launch Village Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs) and teach money management skills.

🌱 Environmental Sustainability: Promote climate-resilient, eco-friendly livelihoods in all initiatives.

Together, we’re planting seeds for resilient, prosperous futures in Kassanda.

READ

Meet Our Team!

Molly Nabwami, Co-Founder

Molly Nabwami is a dedicated human rights advocate with nearly 10 years of experience implementing high-impact projects in menstrual health and hygiene, sexual and reproductive health rights, education, child protection, and the economic inclusion of young women and girls. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University, Uganda. Previously, Molly worked as a Project Health Officer with Brass for Africa in the Bidibidi refugee settlement — the world’s second-largest — leading the Music for Health Inclusion project. She managed a team of 95 health ambassadors, integrating music into menstrual health, mental health, and hand-washing initiatives.

  • Before that, she led the Menstrual Health Management Inclusion project at One School at a Time, introducing menstrual cups to improve school retention and completion rates among girls in rural Kassanda district. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as a youth investigator with Digital Opportunity Trust, researching the pandemic’s impact on young people and contributing to the March 2022 Speaking Out, Reaching Out youth summit.

    As a Teach for Uganda Fellow, Molly amplified the voices of over 200 adolescents, improving student retention and academic outcomes in rural government schools. To address the lack of scholastic materials—one of the key causes of absenteeism, especially for girls—she mobilized resources for children’s education needs. Molly has also worked with Restless Development Uganda as a National Advocacy Team member, advocating for young women’s economic inclusion and rights. She was a young researcher on the Living Innovations project, whose findings informed Restless Development’s disability program in Karamoja, Uganda. Since her university days, Molly has volunteered as a with organizations like MEMPROW and 40 Days Over 40 Smiles (4040). In 2019, she was elected Vice President of the MEMPROW Girls Network Uganda chapter and represented Restless Development at the Fight Inequality Global Gathering in Zambia.

    With strong skills in policy analysis, advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement, Molly is passionate about empowering children, women, and young girls. She remains committed to advancing menstrual health, sexual and reproductive rights, education, child protection, economic inclusion, and human rights.

Kierra Peterson, Co-Founder

Born and raised in “the wild, wild West” of the United States, Kierra Peterson (Kiki for short) calls both Colorado and Wyoming home. Specializing in dance, design and documentation, she enjoys creating unique brand-specific marketing content and packaging, as well as question-inspiring, multi-media wall murals. 

In 2013, Kierra’s passion for deep thinking and deep discussions led her to travel the world as a student of Long Island University Global. Kierra studied cross-cultural understanding, international diplomacy, sustainability, and languages. In total, she conducted socio-economic research in twelve nations (some of which was done in both English and Spanish).

  • Over the last fourteen years, Kierra has used her expertise to promote various humanitarian-aid and public education projects both nationally (within the U.S.) and internationally. Some of her work includes having been the Assistant Director for One School at a Time (1SAT)*, the Chapter Coordinator for Border Angels (BorderAngels.Com), and a bilingual Behavior Support Paraprofessional for Irish Elementary Escuela Bilingue (Iri.Psdschools.Org). Today, Kierra runs her lifestyle and skincare brand, P.S. R+F (PetersonSisters.Com), continues to dance and design in her art studio at 3 Square Art Gallery (3SquareArt.Com), and co-manages WeRis(H)er Initiative. 

    Check out Kierra’s art and business process via her Instagram blog: @P.S.Rodan.Fields

    *1SAT was a non-profit organization that operated in Kassanda District, Uganda, from 2005-2021. It laid the foundation for the work WeRis(H)er Initiative continues today. Kierra began her involvement with work in Uganda in 2011, when she served as a high school intern for 1SAT, and later returned to be the Assistant Director post-university.

Namukose Edith

Namukose Edith is a dedicated social worker with over 10 years of experience in community-based services. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Community-Based Rehabilitation from Kyambogo University, along with a Diploma and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management. She currently serves as a Community Development Officer with Kassanda District Local Government, focusing on vulnerable and minority groups, including orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), youth, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and older persons. She also oversees community development programs and initiatives.

  • Throughout her career, Edith has collaborated with organizations such as World Vision Uganda, the Association of Research Administrators in Africa (ARAA), Mildmay Uganda, and Action for the Disadvantaged People, offering her expertise to drive positive change. Her work has contributed to transforming communities, restoring hope for vulnerable groups, and improving living standards.

    Passionate about making a lasting impact, Edith looks forward to continuing her efforts in community development, leveraging her extensive experience to create meaningful change.

Namulindwa Oliver

Oliver Namulindwa is an agri-preneur, mentor, and development professional specializing in public health, agriculture, and monitoring & evaluation. She is the founder of Omulunzi Ow’akabi Enterprises, an initiative that empowers young farmers through mentorship, training, and sustainable agribusiness. With experience in the NGO, research, and agribusiness sectors, she has led projects focused on community development, livelihoods, and youth empowerment. Beyond her work, she enjoys spending time with her son, Liam.