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Legacy Scholarship: Tony’s Cows Tony, one of Invisible Children’s (IC) Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) students, was recently given capital to start up a cattle-farming enterprise in order to gain financial independence. “I chose rearing of cows for my project because they are easy to maintain, I am assured of milk for my family, and with breeding the cows can multiply,” Tony said confidently. Under the supervision of his paternal uncle, IC gave Tony 2 million shillings (a little over $800) to purchase three heifers and cover other project costs like building a corral and taking care of any medical expenses for the animals. While Tony is working at an internship with the IC film team in Gulu, the cattle project has been managed by Tony’s uncle with assistance from his cousins. The whole family shares in the work, as they will all be able to share in the benefits once the little herd begins to grow. In business, ups and downs are inevitable. Tony’s project has already seen a number of these, from the exciting news that two of the heifers were pregnant to the devastating news of the death of one of the pregnant animals. Focused on what lies ahead of him, Tony wants to ensure a long life for the remaining two heifers by regularly checking on the animals and ensuring that his uncle has medication for the heifers in case any illnesses arise. Anita, an LSP mentor, is working with Tony to see to it that these needs are met and to ensure that the project is a success. -Germina Tony’s family will pitch in to help out with the new cattle-raising project.

Legacy Scholarship: Tony’s Cows

Tony, one of Invisible Children’s (IC) Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) students, was recently given capital to start up a cattle-farming enterprise in order to gain financial independence.

“I chose rearing of cows for my project because they are easy to maintain, I am assured of milk for my family, and with breeding the cows can multiply,” Tony said confidently.

Under the supervision of his paternal uncle, IC gave Tony 2 million shillings (a little over $800) to purchase three heifers and cover other project costs like building a corral and taking care of any medical expenses for the animals.

While Tony is working at an internship with the IC film team in Gulu, the cattle project has been managed by Tony’s uncle with assistance from his cousins. The whole family shares in the work, as they will all be able to share in the benefits once the little herd begins to grow.

In business, ups and downs are inevitable. Tony’s project has already seen a number of these, from the exciting news that two of the heifers were pregnant to the devastating news of the death of one of the pregnant animals.

Focused on what lies ahead of him, Tony wants to ensure a long life for the remaining two heifers by regularly checking on the animals and ensuring that his uncle has medication for the heifers in case any illnesses arise. Anita, an LSP mentor, is working with Tony to see to it that these needs are met and to ensure that the project is a success.

-Germina

Tonys family will pitch in to help out with the new cattle-raising project.

Tony’s family will pitch in to help out with the new cattle-raising project.



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A time to harvest Anyono Mary set a good example to members of her Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) during their most recent savings cycle. With a disability in her legs, she has struggled to do anything on her own. However, as a member of the Invisible Children (IC) VSLA group Teke Akwo, she has been able to get her business moving. “I have paid people to dig and weed my crops for me, and then I have sold the produce as my small-scale business,” she said. Similarly Omona Jennifer borrowed from the group to inject money into her oil business that she had started. She is able to support her family with what she gets from her small business. There were many testimonies like these from members of different VSLA groups in Atanga, Amuru district upon completion of their second savings cycle. The groups saved for a period of eight months, during which time they were free to borrow loans from the group savings to start up small businesses, paying back the loans with interest. For group Teke Akwo, where Mary and Jennifer belong, they were able to save $1703, earning 8.75% interest for each member. The women and men counted their money before folding it neatly and tucking it away in their pockets or attaching it to the clothes they were wearing in tied knots, ready to put it to good use. To accrue savings is not a simple matter of numbers; traits like trustworthiness, determination and the spirit of togetherness are expected from the VSLA group members. There are currently 90 active groups receiving support and guidance from IC-trained facilitators. These hard working community members have learned that the best way to overcome the effects of war and hardship is to do it together.

A time to harvest

Anyono Mary set a good example to members of her Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) during their most recent savings cycle. With a disability in her legs, she has struggled to do anything on her own. However, as a member of the Invisible Children (IC) VSLA group Teke Akwo, she has been able to get her business moving. “I have paid people to dig and weed my crops for me, and then I have sold the produce as my small-scale business,” she said.

Similarly Omona Jennifer borrowed from the group to inject money into her oil business that she had started. She is able to support her family with what she gets from her small business.

There were many testimonies like these from members of different VSLA groups in Atanga, Amuru district upon completion of their second savings cycle. The groups saved for a period of eight months, during which time they were free to borrow loans from the group savings to start up small businesses, paying back the loans with interest.

For group Teke Akwo, where Mary and Jennifer belong, they were able to save $1703, earning 8.75% interest for each member. The women and men counted their money before folding it neatly and tucking it away in their pockets or attaching it to the clothes they were wearing in tied knots, ready to put it to good use.

To accrue savings is not a simple matter of numbers; traits like trustworthiness, determination and the spirit of togetherness are expected from the VSLA group members. There are currently 90 active groups receiving support and guidance from IC-trained facilitators. These hard working community members have learned that the best way to overcome the effects of war and hardship is to do it together.


Schools for Schools: building opportunities

[A student at one of Invisible Children’s partner schools shows the S4S visitors a technical drawing made using a drafting table in one of the new classrooms at his school.]

This past week, Invisible Children’s (IC) partner schools in northern Uganda had some visitors. Students from the U.S. and Canada raised money for building projects at 11 schools in northern Uganda during the Schools for Schools campaign, and this week some of them had the opportunity to visit those schools and get to know the students who are now using the new classrooms, dormitories and laboratories that they helped to fund. At each school they visited, student leaders and faculty graciously met with them and showed them around the campus. Below are a few pictures from the school visits.

[Schools for Schools trip winners get a look at the up-and-coming multipurpose hall expected to be finished at Gulu Secondary School later this year.]

[Zoe gets a tour of St. Joseph’s College Layibi, the secondary school she raised funds for in 2010.]

[Student leaders show CJ and Susanna around Sir Samuel Baker school. CJ raised money to help with furnishing classrooms and building structures at the school.]
6 notes   -  16 July 2012

Teacher Exchange: Students of culture

Our Teacher Exchange program allows Ugandan and international educators to create teaching partnerships with their counterparts, and exposes students to a world outside their borders. The program brings secondary school teachers abroad to team-teach and interact with Ugandan teachers for six weeks every June and July and sends Ugandan teachers to the U.S. to do the same in each December. By participating in the program, both Ugandan and international teachers expand their skill sets, share ideas, and improve their teaching methods.

The most recent batch of teachers in the Teacher Exchange arrived this week. They will be teaching alongside Ugandan educators over the next six weeks, learning about education in northern Uganda and engaging in a mutual exchange of knowledge with their partner teachers. This week, they have been exploring the town, learning about the culture and Invisible Children Uganda’s development programs before they move to their teaching sites.

Today, the teachers visited Mend to learn more about one of ICU’s livelihood programs – and to enjoy some impromptu dancing with the seamstresses.

Jolly shared the history of Invisible Children Uganda (ICU) and the current status of education in northern Uganda. “Teachers around the world are the same,” Jolly welcomed the teachers. “The human connection is what is valued.”

Jane is a teacher from Longbeach, California who has been teaching in London for the past 2 years. She saw the Rough Cut in 2005 and showed it to her students, telling them to “help in any way you can.” For Jane, the Teacher Exchange presents the opportunity for her to help in a way specific to her skills.
“More than anything, I’m here to learn, “she said. “I want the experience of being a student of another culture.”

4 notes   -  2 July 2012


Never too late to graduate

This past week saw 805 women and men graduate from Invisible Children’s (IC) Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) program. The graduation came after members of IC’s Village Savings and Loan Associations successfully completed a one-year course on basic subjects of numeracy, reading and writing.

Due to insecurity from the past war in northern Uganda, many members of these groups had been unable to go to school when they were children. For some, even something as seemingly simple as signing their own name was an impossibility. Now as adults they are at last getting the opportunity to learn these valuable skills.

During the graduation ceremony in Atanga, ululations filled the air as the groups danced and sang while representatives for each group received certificates for their members. The certificates were an acknowledgment of the tireless efforts and hard work each one of them had put in during the course.

With self-esteem high, they presented dramas and songs with the theme of education, leaving smiles on the faces of the congregation present. It was a magnificent occasion that proved that it doesn’t matter where you are coming from but what truly matters is where you are heading.

-Germina

20 notes   -  25 June 2012

Volleyball extravaganza

Last week, the Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) held its third inter-regional volleyball tournament under the theme “sport as a tool for mentoring.”

It was a one-of-a-kind tournament that saw students from LSP’s Pader and Gulu program areas converging onto one pitch. The students displayed skill, talent, determination and perseverance as they battled it out to win the trophies.

Gulu Central High School and Sacred Heart School scored the most points, taking the boy’s and girl’s trophies respectively. For the Sacred Heart team, this was a special win: it was their third time winning the tournament, meaning they took the trophy for keeps.

“I started playing volleyball when I was in senior four, it’s then I released I wanted to take it on in the future,” said Geoffrey, an LSP beneficiary who was awarded best player in the boys category. “Volleyball has never interfered with my academics, in fact it helps me be fresh before reading my books.”

Sports may be viewed by some as a waste of time, but is indeed part and parcel of an individual’s growth – physically, mentally or socially. The LSP mentors believe that sports teach discipline and build a strong connection between students as they learn sportsmanship and cheer on their teams.

The LSP is encouraging extra curricular activities like sports to be given time in schools, producing well-rounded and healthy scholars.

-Germina
4 notes   -  20 June 2012

Cleaning Up the Town

Normally Saturdays are for staying at home and relaxing, but not for the Invisible Children Uganda staff gathered at the main street round about in Gulu town to take part in the “Plant a Tree and Keep Gulu Clean Campaign” that started in May. A cloud of rising dust welcomed travelers into Gulu that afternoon as the determined volunteers swept the streets clean.

Volunteers from many local organizations showed up to give their support to the initiative, which will take place once a month and aims to promote hygiene and sanitation, and to replant the trees that have succumbed to extensive deforestation for firewood and charcoal. Seedlings for trees and flowers were given to several local schools, health centers and churches.

Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the Local Council 5 Chairman for Gulu District who spearheaded the initiative, thanked the volunteers for the tremendous support. “The community should take part in the cleanliness of the town,” he said.

Despite the scorching sun, smiles were abundant and passersby cheered the busily sweeping and planting volunteers for their service to the community.

Read more of our blog entries here.


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“I like debating because it needs critical analysis which can help unearth solutions to issues in the society,” comments Ben, a debater from Gulu Army School. Click here for the story on the debate organized by The Legacy Scholarship Program. Komakech Oginga, the head judge, mentions that debate allows students to “gain knowledge for unique disciplines that are not incorporated in their normal academics.” I think this is “something we can all agree on”. -Caroline

“I like debating because it needs critical analysis which can help unearth solutions to issues in the society,” comments Ben, a debater from Gulu Army School.

Click here for the story on the debate organized by The Legacy Scholarship Program.

Komakech Oginga, the head judge, mentions that debate allows students to “gain knowledge for unique disciplines that are not incorporated in their normal academics.”

I think this is “something we can all agree on”.

-Caroline


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