2012 Theme: CONNECTING GIRLS, INSPIRING FUTURES

If every International Women’s Day event held in 2012 includes girls in some way, then thousands of minds will be inspired globally.

Each year around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. This year in Gulu district, the district and partners on this committee had a set of activities prior to the 8^th March;

A seminar for 150 leaders of girls in primary school and their senior women teachers was organized by the committee for one day. Key issues discussed included; sexual reproductive health, children’s rights, career guidance, challenges faced by girl child at home, in school and community.

20 primary schools were visited with key messages of remaining in school and pursuing their education with seriousness through selected motivational speakers

Organizations, governments, charities and women’s groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues. Gulu district used the same International theme but the main focus was on promoting girl child education. The district has experienced significant drop out rates of girls in both the primary school, secondary and tertiary.

The Local Councilor V for Gulu district said the district has a scheme to pay girls in the university for every sub county. On a sad note, two sub counties could not benefit because there were no girls going to the university last year. No girl completely from two sub counties. The girl child is most disadvantaged; in the scourge of HIV/AIDS, when mother is bed ridden, it the girl child who remains at home or goes to hospital to take care; when the family has little income, it is the girl child who should wait at home as the boy goes fast; in early pregnancy, it is the girl child who stays at home because she is pregnant and cannot attend classes while the boy continues with his education; when the family is poor and needs income, it is the girl child who should be married off or given as a maid to bring money.

The women bore the burden of caring for the family at all times. In Northern Uganda, the women have become the breadwinners in the family. Most families have lost husbands and the women have remained widows; struggling single handedly to meet the current high cost of living. The high cost of education in higher institution and secondary is such a big burden.

THARCE-Gulu women marching The Guest of Honor-Resident District Commissioner of Gulu

The women supported by THARCE-Gulu joined the rest of the women in the world to mark the International Women’s day.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), in his speech appealed to the men to stop domestic violence in their homes. He quoted the time of creation when God created woman out of the rib of the man. This signifies the good intentions God had for men and women. The woman was created as a helper to the man. He called upon all men to respect this relationship between them and women. He also asked the women to respect and obey the men. He emphasized that the issue of women’s rights should not mislead the women to disrespect their husbands.

The district chairperson –Gulu in his speech emphasized the need for parents to send their girls in school and keep them in school. He said, according to the report from the district Education officer, the dropout rates for girls is very high despite the fact that Ugandan government has introduced Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education. He appealed to parents to allow girls stay in schools so that they can become productive individuals in the future.

Lucy our project officer with some women making liquid soap THARCE-Gulu display stall during the women’s day

THARCE-Gulu had a stall for display like many other agencies. On our right was War Child –Canada and on our left was World Vision Uganda and Legal Aid Project. THARCE-Gulu trained a number of women who were formerly abducted by the Lords Resistant Army (LRA) and spent many years in captivity in making liquid soap as an Income Generating Activity (IGA). On this day in our stall, the young women were making liquid soap for display and marketing as well and we also distributed fliers for THARCE-Gulu with information about our work in Gulu. During inspection of stalls by the guest of honor- the RDC; he was given half litre of liquid soap for personal use at home as an appreciation of the good work he is doing in the district.

THARCE-Gulu marketing their liquid soap THARCE-Gulu women and staff in a group photo after the function

The women who participated in the event were excited, they felt something new which was hard to describe, and they felt valued. One woman commented, “We are very smart and proud to be beneficiaries of THARCE-Gulu.” With smiles and laughter, the women pose for a group photo together with the Programme Director and other staff of THARCE-Gulu. This is what we at THARCE-Gulu wants to see; smiles and laughter on the faces of these young mothers who suffered incredibly in the hands of the LRA. The wound at their back is not worth opening at all. We try to help them cope and continue with productive lives despite their horrible sufferings with the LRA and what they called constant reminder of their life in the bush with LRA; their children born in Captivity.

The staff did appreciate our participation on the women’s day. They felt recognized and joined the other agencies in the celebration.

**We will be returning with three groups this summer with a focus on the art therapy program.  A two week filmmaking workshop will be taught by Kristal Williams, a documentary filmmaker.   WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF CAMERAS AND EQUIPMENT.   We are looking for help and/or suggestions on where we may go to get the following “wish list” donated.

Cameras:

(3) 3ccd chip, prosumer such as:  DVX100, Canon XI-2, or Canon HV20 ($600-$1000 ea.)

Tripods:

(3) capable of holding 3-5 lbs.  ($40 – $200 ea.)

Editing equipment:

(3) Mac laptops (Macbook Pro or Macbook, 2007 or newer, with DVD

Burner).

Software:

Final Cut Pro (version 5 or 6 or Academic version) IDVD

Sound equipment:

(3) Shotgun microphones or lavaliere microphones, that have an XLR

Output/input ($100 +)

(3) Boom poles

Additional items:

(3) Portable External Hard drives ($70-$150 ea.)

Blank DVDs

Mini DVD tapes

XLR cables (to connect microphone to camera

If you’d like to donate or help us gather equipment, contact Jacque@tharcegulu.org

Second women’s group to depart for Gulu, Uganda  on  June 17th

Last July eleven of us had the unforgettable experience of traveling with THARCE-Gulu, where a 20-year war left 2 million people displaced into resettlement camps, tens of thousands of children and adolescents abducted to become child soldiers, beasts of burden and sex slaves; and an entire generation deeply traumatized. We met national and local leaders involved in rebuilding the economy and culture of Uganda; professionals who have devoted their careers and personal lives to helping individuals heal from trauma; and most of all, we met, talked to, and worked with people who had been terrorized and displaced by the rebels, and often then forced to commit atrocities against their own villages.

Since returning home, we have kept Uganda in our hearts. Money has been raised  through public and private generosity which will go towards construction of a permanent facility for supporting the healing of those suffering from trauma. But for many reasons we feel our presence, not simply our money, is necessary to adequately demonstrate our commitment and devotion to the people of Northern Uganda. And so, we are planning our 2^nd Women’s THARCE-Gulu trip for June, 2011!

The agenda is as follows: Leave the U.S. the evening of June 17^th and arrive in Kampala, Uganda, the morning of June 19^th.  Travel to Gulu where we will meet with experts in trauma healing, work with several groups of formerly abducted women and their children, build a fence for the Beads of Hope nursery school, and possibly set up simple but needed water purification systems. We will participate in other activities that support those who are establishing entrepreneurial organizations.  We will be guided by material or monetary contributions that group members make to add other activities to our effort. For example, last year one participant raised $5000 and much of that went to purchase sewing machines for women who make bags and bedspreads to sell. Before June other projects in Gulu will have requested some donations that we can possibly provide. In addition, some of our activities will be based on the interests and abilities of the women on the trip. Last year we took computers and a piano keyboard. We may decide to take other keyboards and teach a class in keyboard essentials at the schools or community churches, or teach the use of educational software in the preschool and primary schools. Dance, music and computer skills can all be used in healing and subsistence. We also contributed to the Sisters’ Bakery at the LDS church branch in Gulu, and oxen for agricultural projects. This year we will follow-up on those activities and perhaps help with gardening or other activities. After our time in Gulu we will return to Kampala for departure June 29, arrive U.S. June 30.

We will limit the group to 15 so we can fit in a single bus and keep track of people in the market and other public places.

Last year some of the women asked for donations to assist with their expenses, others sold cookies at their place of work or did other fundraising activities, and others paid out of pocket. Most expenses other than airfare are tax deductible under 501C3 IRS rules.

Last year Judy’s words were:  I FIND UGANDA IMPRESSIVE, BEAUTIFUL, SAD AND INSPIRING. We can’t think of a better summary. Those of us who went last year felt this was almost a holy experience.  We built a hut for a widow whose home was surrounded by the graves of 13 of her immediate family members; we met community leaders who were themselves traumatized but sacrificed their own hopes to see even more vulnerable community members receive help from us.  We learned how very important it is to listen, to suspend our need to be experts, to be flexible and open-minded. Our lives were changed, our hearts expanded.  Join us this year and experience humanitarianism at its best.

Please email Suzanne with interest or questions.