How the Name and Logo came about
No matter where we are, we all see the same moon. Regardless of beliefs, colour, race, gender, class – our moon is the same moon seen by everyone in the world. It is a symbol of equality and connectedness. It reminds us that in spite of physical distance we are all part of a common humanity, and we are all as important as each other.
This is where the name ‘Our Moon’ came from. It represents the fact that despite Africa and the UK being separated by thousands of miles, we are still connected, we are all equal and we all deserve equal opportunities. At Our Moon we are committed to removing barriers which may prevent young African students from disadvantaged backgrounds reaching their full potential.
Meet Justin Mushitu, he is one of the first students that Helen, our CEO, helped to gain a place at university since starting Our Moon. He is now studying at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada, and enjoying it greatly. After hearing Helen’s notion of how we all share the same moon, it was Justin who worked to come up with Our Moon’s name and logo (you can see his initial sketches above).
The idea that we all see the same moon, just reversed, each night, is represented in Justin’s design by the two symmetrical green and yellow semi-circles. Taking this metaphor further, the two halves of the logo represent the way in which two parts of the world, Africa and the UK, have come together to make the Our Moon project a reality.
Furthermore, the two halves can be seen to symbolise how, just like crescent moons, the students we work with are incomplete, yet full of potential. Our Moon’s vision is to work with students to help them become the fullest and brightest individuals they can be.
The links to the idea that the moon is a guiding light which shines a path in the darkness. Similarly, the journey ahead for many students from disadvantaged backgrounds may seem unclear and scary, but at Our Moon we want to help and guide them along their future paths towards bright futures. Our vision is that they might go on to become guiding lights among their communities, countries and continent.