Peace Agreement: Closer than Ever Before

A permanent ceasefire has been signed! A peace agreement could be reached as soon as Monday. Though there are still concerns as to whether Joseph Kony will abide by the agreement.

To those who read this blog faithfully,
I'm sorry I haven't been more diligent about updating lately. There are a couple of great conferences coming up including Uganda Lobby Day (www.ugandalobbyday.com) that I will try to provide information on soon.

give LOVE for Christmas

Some of the best gifts I've ever given or received have been those that touch the lives of strangers. My best friend and I exchange gifts every year, but each season we choose gifts from organizations that send needed supplies to people in developing nations. Last year my friend gave a gardening kit in my name to a family in Sudan. It was such a great and thoughful gift! It fit my interests and passions perfectly.

Also, giving a gift that helps others does not mean you cannot give a tangible gift. Organizations such as Bead for Life allow you to buy beautiful jewelry for your loved ones and the money goes to women in Uganda. I have bought and received many bracelets and necklaces. They are beautiful and unique! Other gift ideas are (RED) merchandise and apparel from Invisible Children.

More ideas and links to come...

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.

Edmund Burke

War Dance

The trailer to a movie about a dance competition...in Uganda.

Gulu Walk 2007 -- A Success!

Gulu Walk 2007 in Washington, DC
The weather in DC was perfect last weekend as over a hundred people walked in the nation's capital for peace in Northern Uganda. The event began with a speach by John Prendergast with the Enough Project which seeks to end genocide. Prendergast was an advisor to the White House in the mid 1990s as well as a senior advisor with the International Crisis Group. The walk started and ended at John Marshall Park with demonstrators walking past the White House. Participants hope the demonstrations will bring increased awareness of the conflict and generate needed funds for relief and development in N Uganda.

Other organizations present at the event (in the form of information booths) were Lutheran World Relief and the Africa Faith and Justice Network.

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Little Flowers"

What you are doing to change the world.

I added a news section on the right hand side of this blog so I will be doing less of my own updating; however, I will try to highlight important developments.

Though night commuting (see previous posts) has stopped in N Uganda, the need for definitive peace is ever present.

With the slow moving peace talks, hope has emerged within communities displaced by war. However, real peace remains elusive for the Acholi people, many who have lived in Internally Diplaced Person (IDP) Camps most of their lives.

Gulu Walk is a non-profit organization started by two people in 2005 as a way to raise awareness about the plight of the night commuters of N Uganda. Today Gulu Walk has spread internationally. On October 20, 2007 thousands will walk for the children of Northern Uganda. Will you be one of them?

Check out www.guluwalk.com to sign up for a Gulu Walk near you.

Participating in the Washington, DC Gulu Walk? Send me a message!