Make your dream come true.

I'm a dancer, skater and yoga instructor from Kitgum district, Northern Uganda. I'm one of the founders of Inspire Me Africa Initiative on going youth non profit organization which uses raps,beat boxing,breakdance and yoga to change the communities.

[okurut]

Today is another day of sharing on "How Dance Resolves Conflict in our communities. Dance is a potential asset for the peacebuilding field, creating opportunities for nonverbal, embodied learning and relationships to the ‘other’. As a symbolic language communicated through the body, dance is one tool to support peacebuilders and communities in conflict to develop the range of their communication and understanding. Though the potential of dance is encouraging, there is also a need for ongoing reflection regarding implementation, and possible misuse of the arts. “Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.” – Rumi Join me at Musicals this Thursday 23rd Feb for a fun filled fellowship but yet a whole different learning experience as I Okurut cools down the Thursday evening with dance after taking them through how dance as an Art can resolve conflicts. Time:6:30pm. Location: Shell Club opp. UMA Main Gate. "A date worth attending with that dancing attire!"💃🏾🕺🏼 Kampala North Musical #Musical2theWorld Supported By RC Kampala North @rotaract_klanorthmusical @rotaractkampalasouth @rotaractklacity @rotaractclubo @rotaract_bugolobi @rotaract_najjeera @rctkajjansi @rac_kla_munyonyo @rotaractkampala @rotaryinternational @rotaractclubofkololo @rotarykampalacity @rotaryclubnakaserocentral @rotaryclubofkampalacentral @rotary_kololo_kampala @muyengassunset #rotary #rotaract #speaker #sharing #dance #knowledge #love #peaceofmind #peacebuilding #dancing #conflict #conflictresolution #talk #happiness #swingdance #traditional #lindyhop #traveldancer #instructorokurutgeorge (at Kampala, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co_iFg5I8U0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

There is good in everyone, but greatness is not in all. These children will grow up to be a great people, living on a path of love and unity. There is no separation, when you embrace all before you. These children will have the best guardian and big brother anyone can ask for. This bond is so touching and incredible, it is deemed real. I do recall, two years ago when I was just starting to practice with them and I was mocked with hatred comments. The children were perhaps 6 to 14 years old. As shocking as I didn’t expect such behaviour, I had learned then that to have a heart of gold, it isn’t easy. These children are diamonds in my eyes. Thank you young ones. If you enjoy seeing the progress of my work in communities of Uganda 🇺🇬 then it's time to make it bigger by giving that small donation of a coffee ☕ so that we can make our dreams and goals come alive. Below is the gofundme link to donate in. https://gofund.me/d3aba5d0 Also check out in my bio for the link to donate. Being a yoga, acroyoga, meditation and Lindyhop, swing dance instructor makes me feel happy to share with my community that love of togetherness. @maputoafroswing is our target this March to attend it with some of the students, you support will count us closer to the goal. @naomishandsomedevils @ty_robert_johnson @cocoswingmarseille @yoga @lululemon @lululemonsg @lululemoneurope @lululemonmy @lululemontw @aloyoga @yolohayoga @littlebigswingcamp @blacklindyhf @pacificswingdance @sunnysideswingstudio @leelapetronio @gustavandlaia @roottorize #yoga #yogamats #yogateacher #Roottorise #yogaheals #yogapose #yogainschools #yogaaddict #yogainprisons #communityyoga #communityswing #childrenmentalhealth #slumyoga #kidsyoga #lindyhopperslife #lindy #LindyHop #solojazz #swingout #swingdancelife #SwingDanceUganda #healthylifestyle #heartofdanceafricanrhythm #instructorokurutgeorge https://www.instagram.com/p/Co1XA9coBXG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Something Must Change. Everything sucks… now what do you do? Do you wallow in that negativity or do you do whatever you can to move out of it? Do you stay miserable or do you get some help that may lead you to better days? Do you succumb to your situation or will you make a change? The choice is always yours, but, let me tell you one thing: Avoiding how bad your times are right now removes all chances for you to improve. No matter what kind of situation, I go through now days, I won't stop sharing my services to people who are in need always like to @heart_of_dance_african_rythyms , #nagururemandhome which is kids prison in Kampala and others which I didn't mention. I am still calling upon individuals and organizations that would love to sponsor or donate so that I can keep on sharing #yoga #meditation and #dance to kids always. #heartofdanceafricarhythm #nagururemandhome #yoga #kidsyoga #peaceandlove #prisonyoga #slumyoga #communityyoga #communityswing #travelling #traveldancer #uganda🇺🇬 #Ugandaswingkids #SwingDanceUganda #Donate #sponsor #instructorokurutgeorge #inspiremeafricainitiative (at Kampala, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoZgyKrLKU5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Accept that the negatives exist and accept that it is only a setback. To do that you must not run from them. Do not hide from the bad times and do not try to minimize them. Let them hurt. They are a sign that you have more growing to do to get to where you want to go, otherwise you would not even notice them. Just the fact that you are seeing the negatives shows that you want more positives, else you would not see them as negatives. If you are hurt from the break of a relationship it shows you how much love you want. If you hate being poor again or still or feel terrible about the incoming bills it shows you how much more wealth you still dream to have. And if you hate yourself and feel like nothing is going right it is because you still dream of a life where everything is. Do not let that dream die. For that you must accept that these are bad times that must change. If you do not let them be as bad as they are they will continue to creep up silently and overtake your life through the cracks and breaks. Accept that life sucks, that things are bad right now and then come to the only conclusion you can be that person you want to be. Am so happy, how am reaching out to different communities with #yoga and #meditation. Some of my projects are yoga in slums of Kampala, yoga in children's prisons. Am still calling for @lululemon @givebackyoga @yolohayoga @baronbaptisteyoga @yogaalliance @africayogaproject @yoga @yogajournal @uluyoga @stretchylicious @yogainspiration @aloyoga @alo @usmissionuganda @ministryofayush @svyasayic @svyasayogauniversity @bnys_2k19 To come out and support me to reach out to more communities in Uganda and others countries in Africa 🌍. @heart_of_dance_african_rythyms #givebackyogafoundation #heartofdanceafricarhythm #yolohayoga #kidsyoga #slumyoga #prisonyoga #communityyoga #yogamats #yogaheals #yogachallenge #yogaflow #yogainschools #yogatherapy #yogatogether #inspiremeafricainitiative #instructorokurutgeorge (at Kampala, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnzT7tPo8l6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

To handle yourself at your worst you must understand why you should handle yourself at all. What is the point of not flying off the handle? What is it for in the end? Learn to understand the bigger picture. This one situation does not ruin everything, these bad times will not kill everything you’ve worked towards, they will, at worst, kill one path to what you want. It will not close everything; your dream is not dead yet. Whether it is a relationship, success, money, or happiness, whatever bad times you are facing can close a lot of doors to you but they do not have to close them all. You may have to do a longer trek around, may have to take a few steps back, or may even have to completely change gears, but you can still make it. This is what I teach my students always and today am happy to share my class with kids of Naguru Remand Home. Am happy how #yoga is growing in Uganda and more especially in slums, nonprofit organizations, rehabilitation centers and prisons. I need people to join me on these cause has we need people to empress yoga and meditation so that they can eliminate some simple diseases. @givebackyoga @yolohayoga @prisonyogaproject @prisonyogaproject_newhampshire @lululemon @usmissionuganda @ministryofayush @svyasayogauniversity @svyasayic #heartofdanceafricarhythm #nagururemandhome #yoga #yogamats #yogaeverywhere #yogaheals #yogastrength #yogachallenge #yogaflow #yogapracticenotyogaperfect #yogatherapy #yogainschools #yogainprisons #peaceandlove #peaceofmind #acroyoga #yogalifestyle (at Kampala, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnwZSSFrQbL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

I really enjoy skating in calm and quiet places like this place "Pearl Marina" in Garuga. This is what I do apart from dance and yoga. Thanks to @lumala_official and his colleagues for inviting me. Photo by @julienaira8 #skatingskills #skatingisfun #skaters #skating #skatelife #fun #happiness #skateanddestroy #uganda🇺🇬 #pearlmarina #yoga #acroyoga #instructorokurutgeorge (at Pearl Marina Estates) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnrIUAZrmr8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

The holidays has come to an end for some of the students as school calls them back again. In Uganda on 09th January 2023, that's when candidate classes from some schools have reported back to start up first term as last year's third term was cut short due to #ebola out break. This is the most important moment for me with children to practice #meditation as we prepare them to get back to school. Their minds has be in present and set their goals and objectives of this year. If you have your students there and you need them to acquire this kind of knowledge then hesitate to contact me anytime. Thanks so much to @roottorize for their generous supports of #yogamats and if you need quality yoga pants then just check out their website or page and purchase the best from them. Also know that each purchase you do, some of the percentage goes to communities of Uganda to access yoga @lululemon @yogaalliance @baronbaptisteyoga @aloyoga @alo @yolohayoga @yolohastudio @lululemonsg @lululemonexperiential @eduminofindia @ministryofayush @svyasayogauniversity @svyasayic @karuna.yoga.studio @yogajournal @yoga.pura.vida @violadavis @givebackyoga @usmissionuganda #yoga #yogaeverywhere #slumyoga #kidsyoga #childrenmentalhealth #communityyoga #acroyoga #Jamming #yogamats #yogateacher #peaceofmind #meditation #community #uganda🇺🇬 #instructorokurutgeorge #yogaflowwithokurut #Roottorise #heartofdanceafricarhythm #okurutgeorge (at Kampala, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnODj4Qo8rT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Life z like a MOVIE. If u r afraid-DRAMA,If u r afraid-SUSPENSE,If u r angry-ACTION,When u luk at the mirror-HORROR,Now u r smilling-that's COMEDY. Travel, dance, love, learn and teach is the mission of 2023. Finally, tomorrow I will share with you all about the trip to Mozambique to attend @maputoafroswing 2023 and how you can contribute but February ends as we need to get flight tickets earlier before they become more expensive. #Lindyhop #swingdance #solojazz to the map of Africa now. #lindyhopperslife #lindy #lindyhopper #lindyhopping #swingout #swingdancelife #Swing #swingdancer #SoloJazz #solojazzpower #solocharleston #solojazzdance #solotravel #yoga #acroyoga #instructorokurutgeorge #acroyogapose #acroyogaflow #acroyogajam #yogamats #yogateacher #yogaflowwithokurut #SwingDanceUganda (at Jinja, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnC1mSZrF59/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

I let go of my past I`ve all done things that I aren’t proud of, or I have made decisions that I either regret or would rather forget in life. I am no exception. My life is filled with lost opportunities, missed chances, stupid choices, and near misses. The one thing I lost sight of while I held on to the past is this: my past does NOT have to equal my future! I can change my life, reinvent myself and start afresh ANYTIME I WANT! My mental baggage could weigh me down and make the rest of my journey through life a real slog. But, I decided to LET IT GO! Now, I don`t look back on all those things that happened and regret them. They were simply choices I made and I did the best I could with the person that I was. So many of us get into the trap of equating our past with who we are. LET IT GO! You can`t change what happened! It`s done! The future, however, is unwritten. While I can`t rewrite my past, I can create a masterpiece with what`s ahead of me, no matter what age I am. It`s up to me! Thank you so much for reading! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 2022 to 2023 post of the year. New beginning with new ideas and plans 2023 #SwingDanceUganda #yoga #acroyoga #instructorokurutgeorge #traveller #solojazz #LindyHop #Charleston #solojazzmoves #food #monk #community #slumyoga #kidsyoga #peaceandlove #meditation #blacklindyhoppersfund #collectivevoicesforchange #pacificswingdancefoundation #frannkiemanning #okurutgeorge (at Sheraton Kampala Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm2LZ6Or9x1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Do we, as dancers, as artists, as creators, realize the immense power we have to affect change in the world? During me as Swing Dance Uganda traveling through out Northern Uganda Introducing Lindyhop and Swing Dance to young generation of dancers in those communities as given me a lot to share with the world. It'll inspire you as a dancer by reminding you that there is a bigger purpose to your art. Whether it's to send a message, evoke a feeling, call forth a societal change, to entertain...... There is a reason we do what we do. When I and Swing Dance Uganda are busy sharing the knowledge to other dancers, we don't know that there are some communities @jazzrootsbucharest down there are gathering to give us a surprise . This is the message from them "We are deeply grateful towards the African American community for the great gifts of jazz music and swing dances, which make our lives better. At the same time, we acknowledge that the roots of these are forms are deeply planted in the African cultural heritage of the people who were enslaved and forcedly moved to America. Offering some help to Swing Dance Uganda in their passionate pursuit to spread these art forms in Africa and build the community around them, feels like a right thing to do. We hope they will grow big and reach even the places from where the deepest African roots were brutally pulled out." We need to say that #Jazz Roots Bucharest donated $1,500 to Swing Dance Uganda to keep their work active and also so that we can extend our classes to another communities in Uganda also give some of our students to join competition like @lindyhopchamps . Last but not least, thanks to @jazzrootsbucharest with all the team who brought this donations together like @swingstepsbucharest and @boozycatsswing for joining in, as that brought out the good mood. Lovely DJ's: @Ana Simionescu, @Adrian Tudor and @Cristina Ciobanu for spicing up the party. Thanks to @Victor's Secret for making them feel so welcomed! Then finally the photographer @Ionut Lucian Ianos for capturing all there moments during the dance floor. Photo: Silvia Bobariu #rootjazzbucharest #blacklindyhoppersfund #frannkiemanning #SwingDanceUganda (at Kampala, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmdmotRr3WG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Being more disciplined isn’t an impossible task. It starts with having a healthy attitude towards self-discipline in general. Let’s agree on what it isn’t. Although it may seem like that at times, self-discipline isn’t something harsh, demanding, uncomfortable, or a form of self-punishment. So if that’s not it, what is self-discipline? It’s more of a lifestyle, an attitude, a mindset. You use your mind to observe, learn, think, make conclusions and decisions based on what you’ve learned. You also use your mind to experience the world around you and to improve yourself in all the ways that are important to you. What do you benefit from it? You gain freedom. You can grow. You can achieve mastery. And you can lead a life with more purpose. You get to be in charge. This means it is you who decides today that you’ll get better at something, create something valuable, or commit to a goal that will benefit you ten years down the road. You feel empowered to take that first step. It helps you do something important today. And when you do, you’ll notice how much having discipline can transform your life. This is what am always teaching my students and am so happy how they are progressing. #SwingDanceUganda #yoga #acroyoga #lindyhop #swingdance #traveling #kitgum #BeyondtheBeat2022 #youths #solojazz #instructorokurutgeorge #Ugandaswingkids (at Kitgum Municipality) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmGxOLKLzEO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Never Surrender On What You Truly Want. Find a way, not an excuse. Find a reason to do it, not to give up on it. Create a path where there is none, because you will only regret it otherwise! There is always a reason not to do it and always a way to fail, but there is also always a way to succeed and a reason to do it. This was the place, where the magic of #LindyHop and #Swingdance started from and am happy to be back to give it out to more dancers, who are willing to take it like the way I did it. From all other districts that I went through only #Kitgum district as tried the best to engage girls into the dance and am so happy for the improvement that. I love it the way each of them was feeling the music and dance even though it's their first time to give it a try. I believe with time, we shall more dancers from Kitgum who are like me to travel the world as they share with others. #blacklindyhoppersfund #blhfoundation #lindyhopperslife #LindyHop #lindyhopper #lindyhopping #lindyfocus #heartofdanceafricarhythm #herrangdancecamp #pacificswingdancefoundation #frannkiemanning #SoloJazz #solojazzdance #solocharleston #solojazzmoves #1920sjazz #1930sjazz #yoga #acroyoga #instructorokurutgeorge #Ugandaswingkids #SwingDanceUganda (at Kitgum Youth Centre) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl8IEe1raGo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Never give up. I made the decision never to quit no matter what, no matter how many times I fail, or how many times things get difficult, two things are going to happen; I either going to succeed, or I going to die trying! So now, I tell you to begin and make the decision that I will never ever going to quit no matter what, then you will succeed, it’s as simple as that! When I started this project, I knew that it will be hard in terms of funds for me to reach out all the districts with the team, I want to move with, but nevertheless I won't quit no matter what. Introduction of Lindyhop and Swing Dance in Northern Uganda is now in three big districts. I will be following up to see the growth of the dance and also sharing with them more platforms. Calling for more support so that we can finish up this project in Kitgum district well. I know people are really eager to watch the videos of the workshops. I have one challenge that my phone can't post videos and if I get a new then well and off for you to enjoy a lot of lovely videos. @the_love_wiz @bluemarbleday @blacklindyhf @jazzlinswing @lost0in0seoul @bad_ass_jazz_festival @usmissionuganda @lindyhopchamps @lindy_boogie_hoppers @frankiemanningfoundation @pacificswingdance @get_hep_swing @tenaarmstrong @anduze_jazz @herrangdancecamp @kaninikiiru @whatchaknow_jo @cousinskeether @sunnysideswingstudio @leelapetronio @littlebigswingcamp @camphollywood #blacklindyhoppersfund #BLHF #bluemarble #blhfoundation #blackdance #lindyhopper #lindy #Lindyhop #lindyhopping #lindyfocus #hermeslindy #1920sjazz #1930sjazz #yoga #acroyoga #instructorokurutgeorge #SwingDanceUganda #Ugandaswingkids #Uganda (at Kitgum Municipality) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl2ynNHo00z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

Finally, we are in our final destination on introduction of Lindyhop and Swing Dance in Northern Uganda. We have arrived today in Kitgum safely and ready to start the workshops with dancers here. We moved with some of our dancers from Heart of Dance African Rhymes who have been dancing it for more than two years to inspire, encourage and motivate more dancers here to pick up interest on the dance. To all #Lindyhop and #Swingdance communities, we are calling for your help has we have to finish up 15 days with these dancers here and the funds are not really well. Anybody who is willing to come in and support us to finish up this project that will be our great achievement of 2022 as it's ending now. Kitgum dancers, let's do this together and showcase the dance at #Beyond The Beat event happening on 14th and 15th December. #blacklindyhoppersfund #bluemarble #BLHF #lindyhopperslife #lindyhop #swingdance #swing #swingdancelife #swingdancelessons #swingdance #ugandaswingkids #SwingDanceUganda #instructorokurutgeorge #yoga #acroyoga #okurutgeorge (at Kitgum Municipality) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl1GsvDoGNL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

We are so happy to see the turn up of dancers in a big number to attend #lindyhop and #swingdance workshops at Gulu youth center. As today is our last day in Gulu. We are calling all dancers to come in much time and also invite more girls to take part on today's class as we are going to focus more on #lindyhop which requires us to dance with partners. As you had requested me as Okurut George to talk more about dance opportunities and what is needed as a dancer to be having, cause many have been dancing but they don't see any progress in their dancing. Let's keep time and we share more on that angle because we learn from each other always. #Kitgum District will be our next stop so if you are there just get ready for us. @blacklindyhf @bluemarbleday @frankiemanningfoundation @pacificswingdance @camphollywood @littlebigswingcamp @lia_mar_7 @bad_ass_jazz_festival @herrangdancecamp @savoycup_official @anduze_jazz #gulu #peacedanceproject #SwingDanceUganda #Ugandaswingkids #lindyhop #lindyhopper #lindyhoplife #1920sjazz #1930sjazz #swingout #solojazzpower #SoloJazz #swingdancing #swingdancer #swingdancefestival #swingdance #laswingers #blacklindyhoppersfund #frannkiemanning (at Gulu, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClxpKkKIED-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

First day of workshop wasn't easy for the turn up, as dancers were a bit late and we got to know that they had miscommunication on what time to start. The class was really so good with our teachers from USA that's @time2swing. As they had to wait for us and we had fund doing the choreography of #FrankieManning first stop with #NormaMiller, as we are celebrating her birthday and also her legacy the queen of swing. We shall start sharing some videos online soon but for now just enjoy the pictures, from this Northern Uganda tour for introduction of #lindyhop and #swingdance. If you are out there interested in sharing your knowledge of Swing Dance history and it's values, just don't hesitate to DM us so that you can have time to share it with dancers in Northern Uganda. Also we are still looking for more support as we still have another district to reach out too. We have got a lot of different communities, and countries inviting us to introduce Lindyhop and Swing Dance to them but we lack that support for us to go to them. Let's get together and support each other for the growth of swing dance and Lindyhop in Africa too now. We are calling out loud to the swing dance and Lindyhop communities out there to come and stand with us on this cause, we are building up now. Thank you @time2swing once again everyone enjoyed the class even though we had to do it through zoom as with the current technology. #NormaMiller #FrankieManning #1920s #1930s #solojazz #solocharleston #firststop #swingout #Swingdance #swingdancing #gulu #swingdancelife #swingdancelessons #lindy #lindyhopper #NorthernUganda #blacklindyhoppersfund #lindyhopping #lindyhop #yoga #acroyoga #lindyhopping #instructorokurutgeorge #peacedanceproject #Ugandaswingkids #SwingDanceUganda (at Gulu, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CluVQwvIlfs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[okurut]

“Show me a person who found love in his/her life and did not celebrate it with a dance.” ― Shah Asad Rizvi This is why we have decided to celebrate the legacy of #FrankieManning and #NormaMiller through introducing #LindyHop and #Swingdance to different parts of Uganda 🇺🇬. As today, we start our workshops with dancers of Gulu. We got an amazing teachers who will be sharing with these dancers through zoom from USA that's @time2swing and that gives us the love and unity is the community. We are still looking for teachers who can share their knowledge of #Lindyhop and #Swingdance through zoom to dancers in Northern Uganda. Thank you @blacklindyhf for standing with us on this cause so that we can have more Africans coming back to the dance. @peacedanceprojectgulu thank you for giving us the space to share in with dancers of Gulu and we can't wait to do more collaborations in dance, so that our communities can grow more bigger. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge of #swingdance and #lindyhop to dancers of Northern Uganda through zoom, don't hesitate to contact me for info about that. The class always begin from 15:00 o'clock to 17:00 o'clock in Gulu on 03rd -06th December 2022. @frankiemanningfoundation @blacklindyhf @pacificswingdance @swingstudio22firenze @lindyfest @lindyhopchamps @lindyhop.russia @lindygroove @peterandnaomi @kir.dance @solojazzmachine @laswingdanceposse @savoycup_official @savoystompfestival @savoyband.to @savoystudyo @littlesavoy.vigo @jumptownswing @bad_ass_jazz_festival @collectivevoicesforchange #peacedanceproject #SoloJazz #solojazzmoves #solojazzdance #solocharleston #charlestonsc #charlestonlife #lindy #lindyhoplife #lindyhopping #Lindyhop #lindyfocus #lindyhopdance #1920s #1930s #1930sjazz #Ugandaswingkids #SwingDanceUganda #yoga #acroyoga #instructorokurutgeorge #blacklindyhoppersfund #BLHF (at Gulu, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cls2qEdLplA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=