About Us
How it began
Rayka and Jonas were nomads, researchers and artists, convinced of the need for international cultural exchange between creative people.
A lifelong dream in Kyakataama
Rayka, an author and ethnologist, and Jonas, an artist, were travelling through Uganda when they fell in love with the crater region of the west. In the village of Kyakataama they found the place where they wanted to realise their lifelong dream.
While Jonas and Rayka were creating a sustainable concept in the midst of nature, as an alternative to social emptiness, fate struck. Jonas died of malaria in August 2019, at the age of 39.
Despite the grief, Rayka has continued to pursue their shared dream with the help of friends. She built the artists’ meeting place, and today Toonda is sending 78 village children to school.
Living off the grid, coming together with like-minded people, and constructing a cultural place in rural western Uganda to support vulnerable communities.
Where we are going
Toonda’s work is a response to the concrete needs of the community, who actively approach us with their ideas. The centre grew out of conversations with neighbours about their future, their problems and their daily life.
Our strategic plan is set out in the Toonda Planning Triangle, which documents the progress made in recent years and the initiatives we are focusing on now.
Thank you to all supporters
Toonda exists because of family, friends, volunteers and sponsors who backed an idea in a village most of them had never seen.
Thanks to Indra Wussow and the Sylt Foundation for partnering with and supporting the Toonda Cultural Community Center, and to Zonta Hamburg, the Rwenzori Sustainable Trade Centre and the German Embassy Kampala for backing individual programmes.
Become part of Toonda
Volunteer, sponsor a child, apply for a residency, or simply come and visit. Email info@toonda.org.