22STARS didn’t just pop up out of the blue; it sprouted from the epic friendship trio of Susan Laker (from Uganda), Aidah Wafula (also from Uganda), and Stella Airoldi (a mix of Dutch and German vibes), who crossed paths back in 2009. Picture it: Stella, a young 23-year-old diving into the world of international law, landed in Uganda for a thesis adventure. There she met Aidah, a social superhero working at an HIV/AIDS Information Center in Kampala. Aidah introduced Stella to a group of strong women who were rebuilding their lives after escaping the turmoil in Northern Uganda. Susan, who was just two years older than Stella, stood out among them. While Aidah translated for the girls, Susan’s remarkable determination and compassionate nature were evident even without words.