Global Giving Report: Kyaninga Triathlon 2023: Competition, Inclusion & Giving Back

Last month saw the resounding success of Kyaninga Triathlon 2023, hosted by Kyaninga Child Development Centre (KCDC) in partnership with Kyaninga Lodge. The event brought together over 100 competitors of all ages, from various corners of Uganda and beyond. With multiple race categories and a plethora of engaging activities, the day was filled with excitement, inclusivity and community spirit!

Participants showcased their skills and determination across various race categories. This ranged from the Olympic and Team Sprint Triathlons to the 5K Fun Run. The day kicked off with a refreshing swim across the breathtaking Kyaninga Lake, before an exhilarating run and cycle through the scenic Rift Valley. The challenging terrain and stunning vistas made for a memorable experience for both participants and spectators alike.

Beyond the excitement of the competition, the children – including all our Kyaninga Inclusive Model School students, such as Ruby (pictured) – were kept entertained by our wonderful teachers, who organised a range of inclusive games, from fancy-dress obstacle courses to parachute activities.

The excitement continued with a very special visit from celebrity ballroom dancer, Valentino Kabenge. Valentino hosted a number of salsa and other dance workshops, inviting competitors, spectators and our children – both with and without disabilities – to showcase their moves. These workshops paved the way for the day’s highlight, an inclusive dance performance by Daphne and Rogers, the latter who danced in a Kyaninga Mobility ‘Dance Wheelchair’. They were later joined on stage by Valentino and all those that participated in the workshops. It is thanks to the therapy and rehabilitation sessions that we provide – supported by all of you – that so many of our children were able to be included in this incredibly moving performance. Our KIMS student, Ruby, who has cerebral palsy and recently joined the school, was just one of those children. Ruby has gone from barely being able to hold herself up to – since providing her with a walking frame – standing for short periods unassisted and dancing alongside all her peers, supported by her trusty walking frame.

After such a heartwarming show, we heard inspiring talks from KCDC’s Co-Founders, Steve and Fiona; KIMS’s headteacher, Dan; and Therapy & Rehabilitation newly-appointed team leader, Charles. A special shoutout goes to Rachel, who shared her personal journey of living as a parent of a child with a disability. Finally, it was time for the eagerly-awaited Kyaninga Raffle results, where lucky winners took home incredible prizes, including a full-board 2-night stay for two at Kyaninga Lodge.

Those who missed out, however, still had the opportunity to walk away with a range of crafts from our vibrant, local artisanal stalls, where attendees engaged in paint-your-own pottery; browsed handmade baskets, patchwork and artwork; and savoured the flavours of passionfruit jam and other delightful treats.

In case our guests weren’t yet satisfied, Kyaninga Lodge also provided a sumptuous buffet, accompanied by a bar serving a range of cocktails and other fancies. Their 2-for-1 Happy Hour deal was definitely one not to be missed! Despite the event having started in the early hours of the morning, this ensured we all had the energy to dance the night away, against the gorgeous sunset overlooking Kyaninga Lake.

Despite all the festivities, Kyaninga Triathlon 2023 was not just a day of thrilling competition and entertainment. It was also a day of inclusion and making a difference. Through selling triathlon slots, raffle tickets, stall spaces and more, KCDC raised an incredible amount that will help contribute towards our goal of creating equal opportunities for children with disabilities in Western Uganda. We could not be more grateful to all those who got involved, as well as every one of you that has supported us on our mission. It is only because of you – the Kyaninga community – that this impact is possible.

If all this has made you eager for more, we are pleased to announce that Kyaninga Triathlon is an annual tradition. Up next, we also have our running competition in November, as well as our biking competition in April. To stay in the loop and check out a compilation of the event, as well as the full video of the inclusive dance performance, please follow us on the following social media handles: