Empower African Children Blog

“When the music changes, so does the dance”

By Agnes Kasule, program manager at Empower African Children

That’s the new logo of our Spirit of Uganda 2012 Tour T-shirts (pictured above). The African proverb speaks on a deep level to all of our students.

Half of those students arrived in the United States on New Year’s Eve to begin the four-month Spirit of Uganda tour. Meanwhile, the 21 primary and secondary students left in Uganda are carrying on their own dance.

Last November, the group returned to their respective villages/homes, where they each had to carry out a service project.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Phyllis’ first visit to Sanyu Babies Home was with Empower African Children... 

Phyllis Asiimire, 14, spent her school holiday volunteering at a home for babies.

 She observed that the home received many (although not enough) material donations, but there were not enough people to carry, hug, play, feed, and love the babies.

During this school holiday, Phyllis volunteered there for a week. Her day started at 6:30 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. Her tasks included waking, bathing, dressing and feeding the babies, making their beds, laundry, helping in the classroom, and changing diapers — her biggest lesson of the her time there, along with learning the tragic histories of the babies.

She feels the experience has made a difference in her life, the lives of the babies, and the “mothers” who care for them. Phyllis wishes to see the birth rate in Uganda drop and for schools and communities to engage in teaching about the consequences of early parenthood. This, she believes, will curb the cases of child neglect and abandonment.

• Daniel’s uncle owns a traditional dance troupe...

Daniel Tashobya, 18, organized a behavioral change workshop in his uncle's community.

In his interactions with the troupe, Daniel noticed there was a general lack of respect for leaders, for each other, and time for prayer. He organized a behavioral change workshop for the troupe and other interested locals. He asked a teacher from the his alma mater, Taibah Junior School, to give a talk on HIV/AIDS, as well as a community development agent to talk about living and working with others. More than 50 people attended the workshop, which was so well received Daniel plans to have it annually.

• Jengo has the rare opportunity to influence people in two countries – Uganda and Tanzania...

Jengo Munawiru, 19, focused on teaching his community good hygiene habits.

His home is on the Uganda-Tanzania border in southern Uganda. Last year, he conducted a soccer camp and tournament in Uganda. This year, Jengo tackled hygiene in Tanzania, which, by the interest and help from a few individuals, spilled over into Uganda.

He started his campaign by cleaning his home, compound, and bathrooms. He then recruited five individuals, who went house to house teaching people how to clean their homes, compounds, bathrooms, and keep their babies safe. As a result, people started collecting their trash in plastic bags and burned it less often than before. He will continue to inspect and teach whenever he returns home. His hope is that those in his community have learned the importance of good hygiene and will maintain it.

When our Spirit of Uganda performers dance their way into your hearts over the next few months, we hope they are influencing you in meaningful ways. In the same way, we hope all our students positively influence others wherever they go — be it on a renowned stage in New York City on in a little village in Mitooma.

Agnes Kasule is program manager at Empower African Children and is based in Kampala, Uganda. She can be reached at Agnes@EmpowerAfricanChildren.org.

 

Ugandan Contingent Descends on Parish

School gives warm welcome to three exchange students
Taken from March 11, 2011 Preston Hollow People

BY CLAIRE ST. AMANT
Staff Writer

Three students from Uganda made themselves at home at Parish Episcopal School last week, participating in everything from classes to cafeteria lunches. Although they were all delighted to tour the sciencefair and taste pizza and Mexican food, there was one component of American schooling that stood out above the rest.

“The main positive difference is the classes being inside,” Sharon Kyomugisha said. “This way people don’t have to feel cold or hot.”

 
Ugandan exchange students Moses Mudiope, Sharon Kyomugisha, and Noel Nabesezi brace as Parish fourth-grader Ava Noble tries her hand at a fellow student’s science-fair project.  STAFF PHOTO:CHRIS MCGATHEY

Moses Mudiope, Noel Nabesezi , and Sharon were sitting on couches in the air-conditioned hallway, chatting with freshman Ford Noble, when the Lower School recess came to close. As hundreds of students walked in the doors, they greeted the African guests with smiles, waves, and shouts of excitement. In only its second day on campus, the trio had already attained celebrity status.

“It just makes us feel special that we are loved and cared about,” said Sharon, 15.

Sharon and her fellow students are members of Empower African Children, a Dallas-based nonprofit that works with orphans in Uganda. The Noble family first spotted the performance branch of the organization, the Spirit of Uganda, in New York and began thinking of ways to bring it to Parish. That dream became a reality when the group performed for the school last winter. Karen O’Rear, Parish’s director of community service, was moved by the event and began thinking about ways to bring the students back.

“When they came in and performed, they just blew us away,” she said. “It planted a seed.”

While Empower doesn’t yet have its own school, it is working to raise funds and build one. For now, the organization places children who have lost at least one parent in local boarding schools. O’Rear hopes Parish can be with the group every step of the way.

“Our main goal is cultural exchange, and in the long run, school exchange,” she said. “We want our kids to be globally minded citizens.”

Several representatives from Parish traveled to Uganda this summer to meet with Empower and see the conditions there. The Noble family took its own trip during Thanksgiving to implement Ford’s project, “Rethink the possibilities.” The freshman raised $7,000 to move Sharon’s mother out of a one-room home with no roof to a safer house with several rooms and all new furniture. He also helped develop a business plan for Sharon’s family so they can sell food and charcoal.

“I wanted them to have a safer place to live and a brighter future,” Ford said.

Throughout 2010, Parish held fundraisers to allow students from Uganda to come to Dallas for a week. Moses, Noel, and Sharon enjoyed the chance to shadow Parish students, and the school partnered with Empower to arrange meetings for the students with area professionals. Moses, who wants to be a lawyer, visited with attorneys Eldrige Burns and Fred Hull, and aspiring fashionista Noel was able to meet with Dallas designer Abi Ferrin. Sharon spent time with Pulitzer Prizewinner Tod Robberson, an editorial writer at The Dallas Morning News.

Moses said he was looking forward to sharing the experience with those back home.

“I want to tell them how it feels better to be in such a world,” he said. “We are not equal to this.”

Uganda Meets Malibu

Do you remember Francis Lubuulwa?  He is one of the outstanding students in the U.S. Scholarship program.  We shared with you some of his accomplishments in a previous blog post, and we are so proud to continue to share his journey with you.

This summer, Francis received a Presidential Scholarship and the Lydia Haynes Scholarship to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.  During his orientation in August, Francis was one of only six students highlighted in President Andrew Benton's address to the new students. 

Francis is already an ambassador for Uganda on the Pepperdine campus.  "Just by introducing myself, and saying that I come from Uganda, was enough to make me feel at home in my first biology class," Francis said.   Immediately after revealing that he is from Uganda, students shared with Francis their experiences in Uganda and introduced him to others who had also traveled to Uganda.  His biology professor had traveled to Kenya, which borders Uganda, and knew a lot about Uganda.  Although Francis is over 8,000 miles away from home, Uganda is not such a foreign place at Pepperdine.  Despite the hardships that he has experienced in life, Francis has grown to be a strong, smart, courageous, young man.  He is studying molecular biology and hopes to become an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor.  Francis is an inspiration to all and continues to show us what it means to reach your full potential. 

To follow Francis's journey at Pepperdine, visit his blog.

 
"There is no doubt that God predestined me to be at Pepperdine in the class of 2014...I have been blessed and God has been so faithful to me throughout the years."

-Francis Lubuulwa

New Spirit of Uganda Merchandise Available

Here is the first peek at two new t-shirts designs and the CD for the 2010 Spirit of Uganda Tour, which begins in just a few short weeks. Be the first get yours by visiting our online shop or clicking on one of the images below.

 

 

(CD available after January 1st)

 

Free Concert in Dallas Next Week

Come out for a great evening of free music that will benefit Empower African Children. It all happens at 2705 Guillot St. Dallas, TX 75204 Map. See you there!

[click to enlarge image]  

Be All That You Can Bead

When Annie Mack returned from her first trip to Uganda earlier this year, she was inspired. Like many who have met and interacted with our children, she wanted to get involved. She wanted to help.

A few months later she launched a brand-new business, UgaBeads. Annie and her boyfriend, Jeff Hawkins, buy hand-made bead necklaces directly from Ugandan women (many of whom are HIV-positive), then are reselling them stateside through their website, UgaBeads.com. Not only does this help the artists who produce them, but Annie and Jeff are donating a portion of their proceeds to support our organization. Check out their beautiful selection of beaded necklaces at www.UgaBeads.com.   

We love when our many friends and supporters, like Annie, find innovative ways to contribute to the lives of children in Uganda. Do you have a unique fundraising idea? Let us know.

 

EMPOWER ME - Jimmy Ayo

Editor's Note: The following story is taken from a recent letter to our friends and donors.

   
It's a new year and a new start for many children in our holistic care program. One of these is Jimmy, who has been through a lot in his 13 years. He is from Apac in northern Uganda and is very skilled at playing the adungu (a stringed Ugandan instrument similar to a harp). He joined our program just a few months ago.

Here's a brief version of Jimmy's story, in his own words:
My name is Jimmy Ayo. I play the adungu. It's my best instrument. My father taught me how to play when I was seven years old. On February 21, 2004, my father was helping me with my homework while my mother, brothers, and sisters were away visiting famity. Ten LRA rebels started knocking on our door. We ran out the back but the rebels chased us. My father and I split up. I hid in the bush. That was the last I saw of him. The rebels caught and killed him. I stayed in the bush for two days with nothing to drink or eat. When the rebels were gone, I found some cassava in the garden to eat. After my mother returned, she found me unconscious on the floor of our house.

Since I joined Empower African Children (EAC). I have been happy to play the adungu. I hope to become a musician. I also want to go to school and become a lawyer or a judge. I look forward to studying hard. I want to thank EAC for saving me from the problems I had. I want to thank them for empowering me.

Jimmy's story is far from unique. There are many children in Uganda with similar backgrounds and potential just waiting to be unlocked.

Would you help children like Jimmy today with your monthly gift of $2S, $50, $100, or more?  Become an Empowerment Partner! Your gift provides basic needs, including well balanced meals and medical care books, education supplies, the guidance of counselors, and education in the arts.

$125,000 Challenge Gift Announced: Your donation will be doubled this spring!

Click here to donate now!
Check "I want to make a recurring gift every month" to become and Empowerment Partner.

$125,000 Challenge Gift Announced!

Big news!  Empower African Children has received an exciting challenge gift from Stephen and Donna Malouf. The Maloufs have pledged to match dollar-for-dollar every donation received by April 15, 2009, up to $125,000. 

So, we need your support!  Every $1 you donate to Empower African Children is worth $2 until April 15th. 

Help meet the challenge today!  Click here to donate.

The Maloufs' challenge is intended to help address the impact of the difficult economy on Empower African Children.  “We hope our gift provides an incentive for people to continue supporting this important mission, even when they may not have as much to give,” said Stephen Malouf.

“This support will significantly impact our programs” said Alexis Hefley, Empower African Children’s Chief Executive Officer. “The challenge will help us remain in a healthy financial position during tough economic times and allow us to continue providing life-changing programs for the children that we serve in Africa.”  

A Ugandan Back-to-School List

This week, all of the children supported by Empower African Children reported back to school for the start of a new school year. That means that we just completed our back-to-school shopping. Our shopping list, however, may look different than a typical American back-to-school list.

Here are a few of the items on our list that may not match up to yours:

• Mattress: at boarding schools you bring your own bedding
• Mosquito net: to prevent malaria while sleeping
• Toilet paper: no explanation needed
• Shoe polish: well-shined school shoes are important part of the school uniform and a source of pride among students
• Basin: used to hand-wash all of their clothes each week
• Sugar: to add to tea or porridge (the kids' one indulgence)
• "Jerry Can": for storing your own water
• Money for haircuts: hair styles are strictly regulated at the schools

New Scholarship Students From Uganda Have Arrived!

 

Three Ugandan students have been selected to participate in the U.S. Scholarship program.  They arrived THIS WEEK!

We welcome new scholarship students Peter, Betty and Francis to the United States. They arrived in Dallas, Texas, today from Kampala, Uganda. All three will begin classes at Richland Community College in January.

We are excited about the next few years for them as they learn valuable career and leadership skills. Our hope is that our investment in them will help improve the lives of many others in Uganda and as they apply their education. 

Check back soon for profiles of each of the new students.