May 2006

Mary traveled to Bellingham, Washington and spoke to three middle school classes taught by an amazing teacher, Stephanie Strow. She had worked during the entire school year to raise the consciousness of her students and sensitizing them to some of the problems in the world. Mary was invited to speak to them about the work that we are doing for the former child soldiers in northern Uganda. Their assigned reactions to the presentation of the murals and the story of the children's plights can be found in the feedback section of this site. If we worry about this generation of young people in our country, it is helpful   to read some of what these concerned and sincere children have to say.

July 2006

Mary spoke to the congregation of the United Church of Christ in Rockville Centre, New York and was received by an attentive and thoughtful congregation. Several parishioners donated money to the general fund and one couple has agreed to sponsor a child.

January 2007

A meeting was held in Gulu attended by 17 of the children under our support and arranged by Anena Irene, our representative in the field. The meeting was the inspiration of three young men under our sponsorship who show amazing determination, patience and hard work, Charles, Joseph and Justin.   The purpose of the meeting was to bring the children together to discuss their problems (see "Voices of the Children" comments by Moses) and to give them a sense that they are not alone although most of them are orphans with no support system. These young men are in touch with us weekly and their email letters are full of optimism and repeated expressions of gratitude for the opportunity we have provided. They ask for help with their homework, share their worries, indicate their needs and we try to respond in a helpful way as we would respond to our own children.

Spring 2007

David Bersch, a co-founder of UCCEF and a baritone, will present a fund raising concert with pianist Sandy Holder of Franz Schubert's song cycle, Die Schone Mullerin in Eugene Oregon at a yet to be determined location and time.

The Freeport New York Rotary, that supports Charles, provided him with money to buy a bicycle and a disk for the computer that will enable him to do research at an Internet Café and save it for later study.

Joseph needed glasses because he could not see to do his school work and the money was provided by his sponsor. Patrick injured himself falling out of a tree and needed medical care and his sponsor provided the money. He is fine with no broken bones. This happened during the school recess so Justin, Joseph and Charles were able to give him the support in the hospital that is required in Uganda, including food.  

Justin, one of the young men who is in touch with us regularly, did so well in secondary school under our support that he was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Dar es Salaam by the Ugandan government. He is doing well with his course, Civil Engineering. UCCEF supplies him with money to help with his expenses not covered by the scholarship. He hopes to find a way to use his education to help his fellow former child soldiers and the meeting that was held in Gulu with the children under our program is the first step.