Imagine someone your mom’s age not being able to write. She’s afraid to hold a pen. She is too self-conscious to write on paper, so she just practices writing in the dirt. She’s a hardworking mother who takes responsibility for the family finances, but she never had the opportunity to learn even the basics that would allow her to keep a record of those finances, or even sign her name to official documents.

Many beneficiaries of Invisible Children’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program are adults who missed the opportunity to attend school because of abject poverty or disruption from war in Northern Uganda. Because of this gap, the Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) initiative was born. Through VSLA, they are learning to save money and take loans to start small businesses. Through FAL, they are learning to read and write.

This week, 444 beneficiaries of VSLA completed FAL training. They are now at ease holding a pen and doing simple arithmetic of their sales and savings records. They enjoyed this program and say they want it expanded to accommodate more people.

A two days’ refresher Training of Trainers was also recently conducted to help FAL facilitators prepare for the next batch of adult students. The goal is to have another 45 groups participating in the FAL program by the end of 2012. It’s incredible to see an adult take heart and learn basic numeracy; I love this capacity building program.

-Eric

Last week, a team from Schools for Schools (S4S) presented the keys for a two unit teachers’ house to the staff at Sir Samuel Baker School (SSBS). Each unit has 2 bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen and bathroom. Teachers with a heavy workload and many responsibilities will be given priority to live in the newly renovated house, where they will be more available to help students during the school year.

As a former student at Sir Samuel Baker School, I remember the sorrowful state of this now renovated block. The structure suffered massive looting during the war, and in 1985 a watchman trying to safeguard the house was killed by looters.  Located near to my former dormitory, I would hide inside one of the dilapidated bedrooms and read my books in my free time.

I never imagined that this house would regain its original look after wasting away for over 25 years. Thank you, S4S contributors, for reviving SSBS’s lost glory. Your sacrifice has renovated my imaginations too.

-Eric

Rose sees this as another step toward recovering the life that was halted when she was abducted by the LRA in 1994. She remembers how as a child she excelled at speech and debate events, but after nine years in captivity she was far behind in her studies and her confidence was shattered.

“I am seeing a silver lining in my new life,” said Rose. “My grammar has improved and I have now regained my self-esteem that I had lost.”

She’s back to building her public speaking skills with the dream of becoming a lawyer who defends the rights of abused and abandoned women.  Passing this exam has brought her closer than ever to achieving her goals.

Learn more about Rose and the other ladies of Mend by following them on Tumblr.

Deborah, a student at Gulu High who dreams of being a lawyer, agreed, “we have to work hard and be determined so that we can achieve our goals.”

Acceptance into the Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) is based on academic performance as well as level of vulnerability. LSP students are assigned a mentor who regularly meets with them to ensure scholastic success and foster leadership skills.

IC mentor Richard Mark doesn’t just encourage proverbial sweat. He’d like to see students utilize all of their potential by getting involved in extracurricular activities like debate and sports.

“Sports can sharpen your mind,” Richard Mark told the crowd of students. “I’ve seen so many students who are good at sports and also academically successful – it’s another way of developing the talents hidden in you.”

Which of course is always the goal of IC mentors – to encourage LSP students to reach their full potential, even if that means sweating a bit along the way.

Stay up to date on the stories coming from LSP; the school year is just beginning!

-Bethany

Very soon the incredible Roadies joining us from Uganda will be arriving in America. We want to keep them warm and well-prepared for their upcoming adventures across North America. Their appreciation for any possible assistance in providing these items would be huge. They are needed by February 20th at the latest.

What they need: (For young adults in their 20’s – Men & Women)

• Sleeping bags (New or gently used)
• Coats & jackets (New or gently used)
• Hats, scarves & gloves
• Body lotion for dry skin
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Deodorant

Where to send them:

Attn: Ugandan Roadies
Invisible Children, Inc.
1620 5th Avenue, Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92101

Brittany Keesling
Office of Development
Bkeesling@invisiblechildren.com
619-562-2799 Ext 229

Hey everyone! Have you heard? The Roadies are coming soon! Kony 2012 tour is at your door. Before long, 16 Ugandan Roadies will be arriving in San Diego. They are sweet, just like that friend of yours you love to hang out with all the time. They are super excited to meet you, share their stories and partner with you to end a war that has lasted too long.

I know you want to meet them too, so book a screening here.

-Eric Otim

Hi everyone in every corner of the globe, hear my voice of joy and gratitude. I am Eric Otim, one of the first 100 students to receive a Legacy Scholarship from Invisible Children (IC) and a former Roadie on the northern California team.

And now…. the Communications Intern with IC Uganda!

I want IC supporters to know that whether you see it or not, you are changing lives daily: you changed mine. Your donations have brought significant change to education in Northern Uganda.

I appreciate my Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) mentors’ guidance, active involvement and dedication to reaching my school and village.  It’s what kept me courageous and focused – knowing that someone out there cares. Through my mentors, I gathered strength to overcome the hurdles I faced.

After six years in LSP, on October 28^th, 2011, I graduated from Uganda Christian University with a bachelor’s degree of arts in Mass Communication. My graduation was super nice and now gives me opportunities that have changed my life completely.

I chose Mass Communication because I have a passion for unearthing the truth that some people try to keep hidden. One day, I want to be an author of fiction and nonfiction that will transform my society.

Joining an IC Roadie team for spring tour 2011 was marvelous. Thank you host families, friends and well-wishers in the US.  Your hospitality and sacrifice are IC’s lifeblood. I enjoyed my advocacy moments with you, feeling like part of your own family. Congratulations on all we’ve accomplished together.

This week my story with IC continues. Let’s join hands to change the world!

-Eric

The Scholar

The Roadie

The Intern

There’s more happening at Mend than just making beautiful bags. Last month, the ladies participated in a training on Gender Based Violence (GBV), a topic that the staff social worker, Evelyn, said she noticed coming up frequently in conversations at the center.

Evelyn explained that cultural factors like “power distance” between men and women in Uganda can create a dependency that leaves women vulnerable to abuse in the home. In 2003, a World Health Organization study found that 70% of men and 90% of women surveyed in Uganda perceived wife beating as acceptable under some circumstances.

During the training, many of the seamstresses were able to rethink their misconceptions, and learn about the channels of support that are available to victims of GBV.

“The ladies were so excited and interested to learn the truth about GBV,” Evelyn said. “This training will help the women support their daughters, their sisters and also themselves.”

Trainings like this one are empowering the women at Mend to transform their homes and communities into places where women can stand up for their rights, and where abuse is no longer tolerated.

Students at Sacred Heart School are in for a surprise when they return from the holiday break in February. The second floor of a three-story block of classrooms has just been completed, creating six bright, spacious classrooms.

Last week, Schools for Schools engineers made a final inspection of the building for quality and safety. With a few minor touches, the six new classrooms will be ready to be furnished and filled for the first time with smiling faces.  One more floor of six classrooms remains to be completed later this year.

Invisible Children partners with 11 schools in Northern Uganda to improve the quality of education through building projects, teacher and administrator training, and curriculum development. While many classrooms in Northern Uganda are in disrepair or subject to overcrowding, projects like this one at Sacred Heart are ensuring that students will have access to a healthy learning environment.

Building projects for 2012 are in full swing! Stay tuned for more updates.

-Bethany

“She is the first to arrive to work and always very positive,” says Richard, the Tailoring Supervisor, “She’s a leader.”

Lucy says she appreciates the high standards of quality at Mend and the challenge to be constantly improving her sewing skills. She also feels at home with her fellow seamstresses. “My favorite parts of the day at Mend are those times when we start shouting and making fun,” Lucy laughs. “It frees my mind to enjoy the moment.”

Lucy is saving the money she earns at Mend to buy school supplies and pay fees for her daughter, Adoch Medina Hope, when she enters high school next year. Lucy is proud to be able to provide a bright future for her daughters!

Keep updated on all the happenings at Mend on their blog.