#l.e.a.d uganda

[shawnwillis]

It's been two weeks now that We've been in Uganda. Traveling the country asking what Ugandan's want for the future of their country. The resounding answer is the same every time, Education. We've been asking children, parents, teachers, doctors, politicians why the plethora of NGO's putting children in school hasn't helped. The answer is they don't do enough and don't seem to care enough. Over 50 percent of the children in Northern Uganda who are not in school were once sponsored by various NGOs in the area but have since been dropped. We find more and more that LEAD Uganda is truly a revolutionary model and is making an undeniable impact in the lives of children and communities all over this wonderful country. I cant wait to finish this film so the word can hear this story. It needs to be told.

[profilesincompassion]

JESSICA KRELL

Last summer, Jessica Krell traveled to Africa as a volunteer for L.E.A.D Uganda. The educational and leadership program reaches out to vulnerable children and places them in schools where they are given the skills to succeed. L.E.A.D stands for locate, educate, achieve, dream and strives to:

Locate the best and the brightest children living on the edges of society. Educate them in the best schools, where they Achieve excellence. The students Dream of becoming entrepreneurs, artists, doctors, and engineers who will help Africa.

Many of the children that participate in L.E.A.D Uganda are former child soldiers and AIDS orphans. While the stories that Jessica learned are heartbreaking, it is apparent that the students have been able to move past the anger, pain, and struggle - they are resilient and happy. Talented and motivated to study, they value education and their opportunity for a better future. Before traveling to Uganda, each member of the New York based team prepared a seminar to present to the students. Jessica’s talk focused on Leadership in Public Speaking. She gave the children speaking exercises and encouraged them to share in front of the group. The other volunteers shared their expertise in Photography, Painting and Making Life Decisions.

Jessica explained that it was important to prepare for the trip by researching Uganda, learning about its history and following the breaking news. Although there were attacks just prior to the trip, she was determined to go. She easily adapted to the living conditions - intermittent electricity and water and food precautions. She had an incredible experience and truly bonded with the kids in the program. During the journey, Jessica met and connected with the future of Uganda. She also took a boat trip down the Nile spotting hippos and crocodiles and went on a jeep safari passing elephants, giraffes and lions. Back home in NY, she is still involved with L.E.A.D as well as Children of the Nations and The Hunger Project. Reading list:

The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World by Jacqueline Novogratz A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah Tranforming Lives by Stephen Shames