The Orphan Dance Troupe That Touches Millions
    Founded by Butindo Moses, the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe (Hypers Kids Africa) was established to empower the most vulnerable orphans in slums to become self-reliant and self-sufficient, ending their reliance on begging on the streets. This global first orphanage, built on the foundation of dance and music, transforms lives through the power of dance, proving that everyone has a unique talent and purpose, and inspiring millions around the world.
 
    This one-of-a-kind dance troupe, formed by Ugandan educator Butindo Moses from the most vulnerable orphans in the orphanage, can sing, dance, and move to various rhythms of life. They incorporate Africa's most primitive thinking into their performances, which are diverse in style, blending traditional and modern elements, indigenous and innovative. Their street-inspired yet locally rooted aesthetic reinterprets the literary and historical depth of Africa while resonating with the social complexities of the digital age and sparking a return to simplicity in the globalized world. 
 
    Their hopeful dance performances have captivated audiences across Africa, moved people in Europe and the Americas, and garnered global attention.
 
    Despite their impoverished circumstances, they continue to dance joyful routines for others, gaining popularity on social media platforms. One of their dance videos has garnered nearly 100 million likes.
 
    What is truly admirable is that this group of orphaned dancers, led by Buntingdo Moses, flew to the United States for the first time and immediately headed to the set of “America's Got Talent,” a globally renowned talent show.
 
    Moses, and went straight to the live show of NBC's “America's Got Talent,” a globally renowned talent competition that provides a platform for talented amateurs or unknown individuals and groups, such as the Ugandan orphan dance troupe, to showcase their skills. They not only received thumbs-ups from all four judges but also won the highest audience vote, proving their talent to the world.
 
    What is most commendable is that Butinno Moses has consistently urged people from all walks of life, both domestically and internationally, to join the cause. In 2014, he founded an orphanage centered on dance, providing the first 45 most vulnerable orphans with shelter, hygiene supplies, food, clothing, education, medical care, and sports equipment. For the past 11 years, they have persevered without wavering. One after another, Ugandan orphan dance troupes not only dance with confidence but also live with hope. What they learn through their bodies cannot be taken away from them—self-reliance, lifelong learning, and everyone's recognition. Everyone can discover their own needs through the joy of movement; everyone can regain their dignity and find confidence through the rhythm of dance. 
 
    Thus, in Butindo. Moses tells everyone, “Through dance and imagination, helping disadvantaged orphans transform their lives is my mission in this world.” Especially over the past decade, he has consistently rescued orphans from the streets and slums of Uganda, placing them in the orphanage he founded with dance at its core, creating the warmest home for orphans and the most hopeful dance troupe. Additionally, every year, he tours North and South America and Europe for charity performances, dancing for hope, health, and love, captivating audiences across Africa, and moving people in North and South America. He truly deserves the title of “Uganda's Orphan Savior.” From among 3,683 candidates recommended worldwide, earning the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation’s “28th Global Love of Life Award in 2025.”

Search for Life Fighters from 233 Countries Worldwide
    Everyone can break the shackles of life; everyone’s life holds boundless possibilities.
    For 28 years, the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, with the support and encouragement of communities worldwide, has tirelessly promoted the “Global Love of Life Movement,” advocating: Be good to yourself—cherish your own life; be good to others—respect others’ lives; be good to the Earth—protect the Earth’s life.
    To date, we have honored 481 Global Love of Life Award recipients from 81 countries across seven continents, along with 16 Global Love of Life Literature Award winners, including the chivalrous poet Cheng Chou-yu and Chinese chef-poet Song Chengbao, and 41 Hope Award recipients, such as anti-drug hero Kao Chao-liang and reformed figure Wu Shih-hsuan. Additionally, we have cared for and supported over 350,000 of the world’s most vulnerable children with cancer, including Mary Donita Uy, a bone cancer angel from a Philippine slum, helping them fight cancer with love and live with hope.
We are deeply grateful for the recognition and resonance from global media outlets such as CNN, BBC, NHK, Yahoo, YouTube, Facebook, and Baidu, which have widely reported our efforts as the “Nobel Prize of Life.”
    We are profoundly thankful for accolades including the 3rd National Public Welfare Award in 2001, the Hong Kong Loving Heart Award in 2010, the Ministry of Education Social Education Contribution Award in 2018, Colombia’s Congress Resolution No. 61 in 2019 granting its highest congressional honor, the United Nations NGO World Harmony Outstanding Contribution Award in 2021, and the China Charity and Filial Piety Culture Award in 2022. These recognitions inspire us to continue sharing, encouraging, and striving alongside global communities.
    The foundation warmly welcomes nominations of life warriors who demonstrate effort, compassion, courage, and achievement from people worldwide. (Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation Global Love of Life Award Nomination Hotline: +886-2-29178770, Fax: +886-2-29178768, Address: 3F, No. 52, Mingde Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan, Website: http://www.ta.org.tw, Email: ta88ms17@gmail.com).
 
Saving Street Children: A Lifelong Mission
    The Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe (Hypers Kids Africa) is not just a dance group; it is also an orphanage in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Butindo Moses said that he founded the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe because of his life experiences.
 
    When Butindo Moses was a child, his father left the family, and his mother often worked outside the home to earn money. He had to learn to take care of himself and became more independent than other children his age. However, in 2009, his beloved mother passed away, and his sister followed in 2010. The overwhelming grief left him deeply depressed for a period of time.
 
    During this difficult period, the streets became a place where Butindo Moses sought solace, and football became his emotional anchor. He used his football skills to survive on the streets, showcasing his abilities to earn a living. Despite the hardships, he received support from many genuine friends who stood by him during his most challenging times.
 
    On one occasion, Buntingdo Moses was injured, and his friends not only took him to the hospital and provided food but also stayed by his side during his difficult hospital stay. Driven by his personal experiences and a desire for change, he conceived the idea of improving the lives of disadvantaged orphans—this vision ultimately became the driving force behind the establishment of the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe.
 
    Buntingdo Moses explained that his idea was that most children are interested in dance and music, which is why he focused on these areas to change their lives. He then introduced football, book writing, and other activities because these activities could also help orphans earn money to meet their basic needs. “We were tired of begging, so we decided to use our talents to change our lives,” he said.
 
    Therefore, this organization not only strives to meet the basic needs of poor children, such as food, shelter, and medical expenses, but also works to assist others facing similar hardships on the streets. Butindo Moses mentioned that the journey has not been smooth, and many who initially collaborated with the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe gave up and doubted the potential of the orphanage. However, he remains grateful to those who have supported him along the way.
 
Encouraging self-reliance and transforming lives
    Butindo Moses said that there are more than 2.5 million orphans in Uganda, and about one-fifth of them have no parents. The AIDS crisis, years of civil war, and extreme poverty are all factors contributing to this crisis. “That is why this orphanage will be an important resource for these lonely and helpless children.”
 
    Today, the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe has made a name for itself through dance. Their Instagram account has 7.35 million followers, and their YouTube channel has 2.92 million subscribers, with their social media platforms filled with captivating videos. They often dance barefoot or in flip-flops, yet they still perform impressive moves and complex dances.
 
    Butindo Moses said, “Currently, we have changed the lives of disadvantaged children and the entire community by leveraging our talents. However, due to limited space and resources, we continue to work hard every day so that one day we will have enough space to accommodate more children in need, girls who dropped out of school due to premature birth, and the elderly.”
 
Dancing with Confidence
    Uganda's economy is struggling, and many children are forced to beg on the streets. Eleven years ago, Butinno Moses founded the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe, giving children with a natural talent for dance the opportunity to perform and escape poverty.
 
    Against the backdrop of a slum, several children dance in perfect unison to the rhythm of the music, their skill rivaling that of professionally trained dancers. The young dancers range in age from 6 to 18, with the only thing they have in common being that they all come from Uganda's slums.
 
    Butinodo Moses stated, “These children all come from slums. They use the limited space at the orphanage to practice dancing, with over a hundred members. Each one looks very professional.”
 
    In the room, they take turns practicing their dance steps. Dancing is not just a hobby for them; it is a way to earn money to support their families. In the streets of Uganda's capital, there are many young children who, due to poverty and illness in their families, have no choice but to beg on the streets.
 
    Born in Uganda, Butindo Moses believes that in addition to donations, it is more important to help these children become self-reliant. Thus, he founded the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe to provide these children with a stage to showcase their dancing talents.
 
    Butindo Moses, founder of the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe, stated, “I hope the children can become self-reliant through dancing. More importantly, I hope they can gain more confidence through dancing.”
 
    In addition to collaborating with famous singers, the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe, which has been in operation for 11 years, has also garnered attention from many celebrities, providing them with more exposure opportunities. By combining their passion for dance with the ability to earn money, these Ugandan children who love dance have found the focus and purpose of their lives.
 
Dancing with Great Love
    What comes to mind when you think of “African AIDS orphans”? Tragedy, loneliness, and despair? After encountering the Ugandan Orphan Dance Troupe, your perception will be completely transformed. Their joy and freedom will touch your life—not just for a moment, but perhaps for a lifetime.
 
    A churchgoer who watched the Ugandan Orphan Dance Troupe perform two years ago still remembers the children's enthusiastic faces and songs. Their lives changed after they came to know Jesus Christ, and this has continued to inspire him—Jesus Christ has the power to transform lives.
 
    Founded by Butindo Moses, the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe represents the 15 million children in Africa who have become orphans due to the effects of AIDS. They frequently perform internationally, blending modern sacred music, African traditional rhythms, and dance to showcase the vision and mission of the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe.
 
    The vision of the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe Care Program is to provide spiritual, material, educational, and emotional care for every child, enabling each of them to become responsible Christians and contributing citizens of Uganda in the future.
 
    Buntingdo Moses, moved by compassion for Ugandan children who had lost their parents, began caring for children in 2014, dedicated to addressing Uganda's orphan crisis and transforming the lives of orphans through dance.
 
    Buntingdo. Moses is committed to nurturing dance through God's love and teachings, providing food, shelter, and education to the most vulnerable orphans who have lost their parents and families. He also offers them a comfortable family environment, dance training facilities, and care from foster mothers who attend to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The ultimate goal is for these children to grow up healthy and happy in a loving family environment, develop into the next generation of Ugandan dancers, and transform their destinies to see a new dawn.
 
“Deadly Epidemic” AIDS
    Currently, approximately 45 million people are infected with HIV and have AIDS; 5 million new cases are reported each year, or 13,500 people per day. In 2005, 3.1 million people died of AIDS. Currently, 6.8 million people urgently need life-saving AIDS medications, with 70% of patients residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Young women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. The highest prevalence rates are found in southern Africa, where an average of 30–40% of the population tests positive for HIV.
 
How many AIDS orphans are there?
    There are 15 million AIDS orphans in Africa, with the number expected to rise to 50 million by 2010. In Uganda, which has been ravaged by prolonged civil war and widespread HIV/AIDS, nearly 2 million children are plunged into dire suffering each year, with at least 880,000 children currently orphaned due to the impact of AIDS.
 
Only education (including dance) holds the key to rebirth.
    Behind the overwhelming statistics of poverty lies the burning desire for education in the eyes of those in need. Visiting Uganda, it becomes clear that education is the only solution to give impoverished children a new lease on life.
 
    Cara Delevingne joined Girl Up and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on a week-long visit to Uganda to meet with refugees and the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe. She documented her experiences in writing and discovered that education is the most urgent resource needed by impoverished children in the region and that happiness can be so simple.
 
    Last week, she met refugees from South Sudan in Uganda and experienced the most unforgettable moments of her life. She traveled with Girl Up and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to gain a deeper understanding of UNHCR’s efforts to address the refugee crisis and to explore opportunities for disadvantaged children to access education. These children were forced to leave their homes, with their hearts set on going to school, yet they must now worry about being forced into marriage before reaching puberty. 
 
    The United Nations Foundation is the founder of Girl Up, aiming to unite all girls and children around the world to help them reclaim their autonomy.
 
    Through education, they are working to improve the lives of thousands of refugees in Uganda and Ethiopia. She feels deeply honored to join their efforts and raise public awareness about their work. However, witnessing their actions firsthand has left her with emotions that words alone cannot express.
 
The need is so simple.
    Their week-long journey began with a visit to the refugee entry point on the border between northern Uganda and South Sudan. After crossing a bridge, they entered Uganda. Over the past six months, 460,000 refugees (an average of 2,000 per day) have crossed this bridge, and they also got off the vehicles and crossed the same bridge on foot.
 
    When they returned from the riverbank, they passed many people barefoot, carrying all their belongings and children on their backs. Just thinking about how many people repeat the same journey, carrying so much, for weeks on end... it’s unimaginable. They possess an incredible strength. They spoke with UNHCR partners and Ugandan government officials who provide hot meals and medical services to refugees at the border and drive them to shelters where they can rebuild their lives. 
 
    At the Bidibid shelter, she sat with a group of impoverished children in a classroom. The children shared their stories of fleeing South Sudan and openly stated what supplies they needed to continue their education.
 
    One girl, her eyes burning with determination, said, “It's very simple. We need books. We need uniforms.”
 
    This struck her deeply. Their needs were so simple and small to everyone else, yet so crucial to them. They made everyone else feel spoiled because all they wanted was to go to school, something that was so ordinary for everyone else.
 
    At the Nyumanzi shelter, a group of eighth-grade children living in poverty left a deep impression on her because they should have been in middle school. When she tried to chat with them, they shyly huddled together and laughed.
 
    After a while, she turned to Anna Blue, the deputy executive director of Girl Up, and said, “Let's dance!”
 
    She walked to the front of the classroom and began teaching them the Electric Slide, and they even tried the Mannequin Challenge.
 
    As the atmosphere warmed up, she talked to them about many things, such as what they wanted to be when they grew up—two wanted to be doctors, one wanted to be an engineer, one wanted to be a teacher, two wanted to be lawyers, and two wanted to be journalists.
 
    Hearing this, she found it incredible, because they were so eager to stay in middle school and continue their education, yet it was so difficult for them.
 
The Path to Education: Long and Arduous
    Throughout the entire journey, she couldn’t stop thinking about one fact: in Uganda, only 50% of refugee girls can attend primary school, and only 5% of those girls can continue their education. Many girls mentioned that they were afraid of being forced into early marriage and expected to start a family at the age of 11.
 
    In other words, instead of doing homework, they are caring for infants. Many girls drop out of school after elementary school because the middle schools are too far away or because they lack basic supplies like books, pens, and paper. Sometimes it’s because they don’t have sanitary pads, forcing them to stay home.
 
    The most unforgettable moment for her was at a welcome party held by refugee children in the Bidibidi camp for them. They performed a special Bola dance accompanied by drumbeats, singing, and rhythmic movements.
 
    She looked around at over 100 children dancing, their faces radiant with joy. It was truly a very, very magical experience.
 
    Shortly after, the students and teachers explained that the school needed more funding to build permanent classrooms. Sitting in the temporary classrooms made from tents, she was heartbroken to see over 150 students crammed into the small space, standing to attend class.
 
Happiness is so simple.
    Next, they arrived at the Palorinya Refugee Protection School, where he played a game of soccer with a girl who dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. She was really good! And she was even wearing sandals while playing.
 
    Before playing, everyone talked with her and her friends about their journey fleeing the war in South Sudan, the struggles they had witnessed, and the heartbreaking scenes of their parents or family members being killed right before their eyes. The sorrowful expressions on their faces were heart-wrenching.
 
    However, once the soccer ball was out, everyone had a joyful time playing, just like children in other places playing on a playground. These children demonstrated the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
 
    At the Nyumanzi shelter, she chatted with the girls in the classroom for a while before sneaking out to play soccer barefoot with the children in the community on the playground.
 
    She thought they could play barefoot, so she wanted to try it too! No matter where they went, there was always a group of young boys nearby, kicking a small ball made of paper and string. They wouldn’t let her touch it with her hands or kick it with her feet, and they just kept laughing and laughing. Before this trip, she had never thought that making people laugh could bring her so much joy. 
 
    On the last day, she arrived at the Pagirinya Shelter. The school currently has 1,200 students, but they need to expand the campus to accommodate an additional 2,000 students next year.
 
    Talking with the girls there, she was deeply moved again. They had little, yet they refused others' charity. From the way they spoke, one could sense they were strong, independent women. All they asked for was a small opportunity, a small first step—to have education given to them as a small gift. Though insignificant, it was powerful enough to change their lives forever.
 
Let’s help underprivileged children receive an education!
    Before leaving Pagirinya, everyone went outside to play with the children. They formed a circle to do stretching exercises, ran around the circle, and danced—it was like a workout!
 
    The teachers at Pagirinya explained that they provide special care for students with special needs or those deeply traumatized by the conflict in South Sudan. Despite the hardships they’ve faced, all the students we spoke with demonstrated remarkable resilience and a hopeful outlook on the future.
 
    She mentioned many statistics in this diary: 460,000 refugees—what a staggering number. Yet there’s something odd about numbers: they’re easy to overlook, making us forget the people behind them.
 
    The truth is, we are all human beings, and we are all the same. The people in Uganda are like your children, your sisters, your friends, or someone you just met last week. Helping them is helping yourself.
 
    If we can show empathy and take a little time to understand their experiences and the land they stand on that is sinking, then we will take action to help them. That is why we support African NGOs like the Uganda Orphan Dance Troupe and are proud of their efforts to educate refugees and vulnerable orphans.
 

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