NewsletterNews from a Mud Hut
June: Teams, celebrations and visitors
by Lowna Gie : July 21, 2010
June has been an exceptionally busy time for us at the ChildVoice Centre in Lukodi. A team of forty Intervarsity USA and FOCUS Uganda students came to learn about ChildVoice and stay with us for one month. They were fully immersed in the ChildVoice experience-- living in a mud hut, bathing in a basin, eating beans and rice daily, and sleeping in a hammock. During their time at the centre, the team helped the staff and students with their daily tasks such as caring for the children, collecting water, cooking, rolling beads, and organizing games and crafts. They also helped on the farm by weeding the crops and constructing a fence. As part of a spiritual outreach, not only did the teams do hut-to-hut evangelism but they also organized a women’s conference and a viewing of The Jesus Film for the community. The staff and girls at Lukodi greatly appreciate the time, energy, and resources the team invested in the program as well as the friendships formed.
On June 16, the Day of the African Child, ChildVoice partnered with the Justice and Reconciliation Project and attended a district wide celebration in Lalogi sub-county. The day, which brings attention to the rights of children, began with a parade of students from various schools and NGOs. In addition, ChildVoice students performed the Ajere courtship dance and a very entertaining drama that highlighted issues faced by children of this region. ChildVoice’s performances were voted the best performances presented that day. As always, the girls made us very proud.
On June 27, Betty Oyella Bigombe, a key participant in the peace negotiations to end the insurgency by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) of Uganda, came to visit the centre. We were incredibly privileged to host such a renowned figure in the field of conflict transformation and peace building. Mrs. Bigombe spoke to us about the problems Northern Uganda is currently facing. She mentioned the common lack of basic services such as access to water and good roads; poor standard of education; and limited health services. She also said that reconciliation between victims and perpetrators is essential for sustainable peace. She addressed the fact that the war Northern Uganda is fighting today is no longer against the LRA but against poverty. There are thousands of youth, orphans and widows who are struggling and who desperately need to have opportunities to support themselves and their families. Mrs. Bigombe told the ChildVoice students that they should consider themselves very fortunate to be in such a program. She also encouraged them to work hard so that they can be come successful and contribute towards sustainable peace in Northern Uganda. Mrs. Bigombe thanked the staff for working diligently to ensure that a model program is developed. She concluded by saying that programs like ChildVoice are essential for the transformation of Northern Uganda. Hearing these awesome compliments from such a distinguished woman made me proud to be part of the ChildVoice family.