The Laurita Spina Bifida Project

10/31/2026

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to reflect on the beautiful partnerships that my family (and co-board members) and I have made with others along the way. 🍁🧡

Recently, I was surprised to receive a generous donation to The Laurita Spina Bifida Project from Dr. Mary Stapel of Illinois! Dr. Stapel and I have been in contact for a few years, and she has personally visited the Hope Inclusive Development Center in Mbarara, Uganda. 🏫 🇺🇬

Not only has she been in touch with and supported Ambrose Ganshanga (the Hope Center’s fearless and compassionate leader) and his work, but Dr. Stapel has also sponsored Spero Child International, run by Ambrose’s friend and colleague, Bukenya Martin, who also runs a school for children with disabilities in Mbarara. 👧🏿🧒🏾🧑🏿

Our village is filled with people who I would love to someday meet face-to-face, but with whom I nonetheless feel such a powerful connection. 🫶🏽 🌍

With hearts filled with gratitude, my family and I thank Dr. Stapel and her foundation for encouraging us, believing in our mission, and helping nurture the children and families we support. 💚

We forwarded Dr. Stapel’s donations to each organization, respectively, and they are being used to support the the needs of the children in these schools. 👨🏿‍🏫 🧸

I’d like to share photos sent to us by Ambrose at the Hope Inclusive Development Center, and by Bukenya at the Starlight Kindergarten & Primary School. 📸

Please stay tuned, as we are looking for new ways to collaborate with our international partners! 🌟

09/29/2026

From Laurita:

"I want to take a moment to thank those of you who have had the compassion, empathy, and spirit of generosity to donate to our GoFundMe in order to hire teachers at the Hope Inclusive Development Center in Uganda."

While we have not met our goal, the GoFundMe remains open, and we are planning to send the funds we’ve raised to Ambrose and his team (a verified, vetted NGO - non-profit organization) so they can begin to alleviate some very pressing needs.

Link to the GoFundMe fundraiser: https://gofund.me/49a57734d

As many of you know, this is a very grassroots effort launched by a physical/occupational therapist in Mbarara, Uganda, and every cent truly goes directly in support of their urgent needs.

I really cannot do this alone. October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and it’s just around the corner. What we are doing here is putting awareness into ACTION to help those with the greatest needs.

Please, let’s generate some more attention around this little-known cause.

Tag our page The Laurita Spina Bifida Project, and below is a video from 2022 from the Hope Center that you can feel free to share/amplify.

I’d appreciate it. Thank you! 💚🇺🇬

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OitL_9YoZbA&t=6s

08/08/2026

A message from Laurita, our Founder & President:

“Ambrose Ganshanga, Founder of the Hope Inclusive Development Center in Mbarara, Uganda, shared with us today the story of a young man who has indeed brought a lot of “hope”— and joy— to the children of the Hope Center. He shares: 🎊

‘Today, we had a light moment with our former teacher who left [the center] for further studies. [His name is] Duncan. He was a high school vacationist [on his yearlong break before starting university] who supported us in a teaching role due to shortage of teachers at the school; a wonderful young gentleman who helped to teach elementary science and mathematics. But early this year, he joined the university as a medical student. Our pupils loved him, and he loved them, too. Today, he came along with some of his friends with the university to celebrate his birthday with children! [He is] so encouraging and living as an example. We had a colorful day! They were kind to contribute some [diapers] for use by children with spina bifida, books, some boxes of soap, and Vaseline. 🎂 🎁

When I asked Ambrose about a picture he sent me via WhatsApp, of children planting a “memory fruit tree,” he explained: “In our culture, historically, whenever a friend visits a family, he or she could come with a present/gift that will remain such that it can help to support the family and also act as a sign of bonding between two families or friends. In most cases, this was in the form of [animals] like a cow, a goat. Though this is still practiced, over time, this has been expanded to include planting compound trees which also act as a symbol of friendship [and] remembrance, but [is] also used for environmental conservation purposes, and leaving likely future fruits to the family or organization.’ 🪴

I was deeply moved by this story about how Duncan pitched in to help the Hope Center during his break from studying, and was even more touched that he chose to celebrate his birthday with the children and staff of the Hope Center! I wish him the best of success and happiness as he enjoys this next chapter of his life, and whether or not he decides to continue working with children with disabilities in Uganda, I hope he stays in touch with Ambrose and the team, and that he visits again!" 🎓

The Hope Center is still experiencing great needs during the teacher shortage, and you can help by donating here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-teachers-for-kids-with-disabilities-in-uganda

Duncan, thank you for your compassion and kindness for our kids and staff! Godspeed and have a wonderful time at university! 👏🏽 💗🇺🇬

07/28/2026

From our Founder, Laurita:

"So much of my life with spina bifida has been a matter of life and death.

Last night, , I got very raw on Substack about the complex feelings I have as an adult with spina bifida who has outlived many friends and past comrades. 😔

I invite you to read, comment if you'd like to, and share. Subscriptions, either free or paid, are also greatly appreciated." 🫶🏽

https://lauritatellado.substack.com/p/lets-honor-the-empty-chairs-during

Access barriers, both physical and bureaucratic, gravely diminish the quality of life of people with disabilities, often leading to death.

07/17/2026

From our Founder, Laurita:

"Thank you from todo mi corazón to those who have given so far! It really, absolutely does take a village, and whether you give $5 or $5, it doesn't matter to me-- you are making a DIFFERENCE.

Let's keep the momentum going as we head into the weekend! I will be sharing more content and details soon about just why this new dormitory and paying these teachers matters so, so much." ❤️🍎

Hi! My name is Laura "Laurita" Tellado, and I'm Founder… Laura Tellado needs your support for Help Fund Teachers for Kids with Disabilities in Uganda

07/13/2026

Imagine a school without teachers. 👩🏾‍🏫

That is what the Hope Inclusive Development Center in Mbarara, Uganda, is facing right now.

As an adult with spina bifida, I know firsthand how difficult and frustrating it is to navigate health and education in a world not designed for us.

When Ambrose Ganshanga, a physical therapist, dreamer, and, doer, first reached out to me in 2010, his mission was crystal clear— to build a school and therapy center for children with spina bifida and other disabilities who were experiencing dire need, and had little hope of surviving, let alone thriving.

Since its founding in 2019, the Hope Inclusive Development Center has provided children with disabilities something they desperately needed: HOPE. The center provides them with schooling, housing, meals, and vital therapies.

But now, teachers at the center have left because the government is offering better pay— leaving the center, which is a fully non-profit venture, without the means to educate these children.

What's more, the center dormitory is FULL to capacity, and the government requires them to build a separate dormitory (one for boys, one for girls).

We can bring HOPE back to the Hope Center. I’ve started a GoFundMe, and ALL funds raised will go toward this project.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our cause over the years. I hope we can continue to count on our village to share some hope. ❤️🇺🇬



Link to our GoFundMe:

Hi! My name is Laura "Laurita" Tellado, and I'm Founder… Laura Tellado needs your support for Help Fund Teachers for Kids with Disabilities in Uganda

12/26/2025

From Laurita and her family, to every single person in our village, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! 🎄🕎 🌟

Thanks to a very generous donation from Dr. Mary Stapel of Illinois, which our team facilitated via wire transfer, the Hope Inclusive Development Center, run by our partner, Ambrose Ganshanga, in Mbarara, Uganda, can continue operating. The center serves children with and without disabilities, and Ambrose and his colleagues also work hard to educate parents, educators, and healthcare professionals. 🩺

We were also honored that Dr. Stapel donated to Spero International, founded by Martin Bukenya, and whose mission aligns very closely with our support of the Hope Center. In fact, Ambrose and Martin have worked together and remain good friends. 🤝🏽

When we initially decided to create The Laurita Spina Bifida Project, the dream was to help "connect the dots" in the global spina bifida community, so that others could help each other meet their needs. We are so grateful to be a part of this village, and even prouder to continue supporting their work to build a more inclusive world. ❤️🌍

-- Laurita

12/03/2025

We are so grateful this for our community partners, like Ambrose Ganshanga, Founder of Hope Inclusive Development Center in Mbarara, Uganda, who inspires and motivates us through his tireless work with children with disabilities who would otherwise not get the medical care and education they deserve. 💚

To learn more about the Hope Inclusive Development Center and to donate, please visit www.lauritaspinabifidaproject.org/hope 🏫 👩🏽‍🏫 🦽

More updates are coming soon about the Center and Ambrose’s advocacy for children with disabilities in Africa. 🫶🏽