Oscar winner Forest Whitaker concludes 10-part series
Former child soldiers and night commuters in Northern Uganda came face-to-face with Canadian, British, and American students in May to speak about their experiences living in a conflict zone. Through Project UGANDA’s lively and open dialogue, students at home learned about African village life, Internally Displaced People camps, Acholi dance and music, Acholi women and their role in the community, the ongoing war with the Lord’s Resistance Army, and more.
“Jeffrey was a child soldier, and he was brave enough to share with us his experiences... A lot of people’s jaws dropped, they were so stunned by it. It was really an amazing story,” said Georgia Lill, a tenth-grader from Oakwood Secondary School in California, in the final videoconference.
Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker joined us via videoconference for the final session, where he spoke to students about his experiences researching for and filming The Last King of Scotland, the highly acclaimed movie about Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. He shared his insights into Amin’s regime and gave students a context for the current conflict and reconciliation in the northern region.
“I follow
my passions, and I think when you do that,
all kinds of things can occur. Just believe.”
- Forest Whitaker
Mr. Whitaker is currently deeply involved in supporting an orphanage and theater in an IDP camp and talked to students about the need for young people to follow their dreams in order to effect change.
“I follow my passions, and I think when you do that, all kinds of things can occur,” Mr. Whitaker said to students. “Just believe.”
At the conclusion of the program, many students began making plans to fundraise in order to complete a new chemistry lab at Padibe Secondary School. To date, students have raised more than $1500 in support of the project, and several others are planning fundraising activities for the fall. In addition, some students will continue the friendships they’ve formed through pen-pal exchanges.
Please visit www.gng.org to view the videoconferences from Project UGANDA.
What people are saying about this year’s
programs
“These experiences make our classes much more meaningful. Actually
being able to speak with other people so far away and see their excitement
is very moving.”
- Student, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
“How great an impact the Darfur videoconference had on our students
- and what an important role your organization is playing in encouraging
young people today to be more globally aware!”
- Susan Hughes, Teacher, Salisbury Composite High (Alberta, Canada)
“We at South Kingstown High School were in total agreement that
[Project UGANDA] was fantastic!...To be able to communicate that way from
Uganda to the UK to students from New Jersey was very educational and
enlightening.”
- Diane Kroll, Teacher, South Kingstown High School (Rhode Island)
GNG, consultants solidify three-year strategic
plan, create new openings
Global Nomads Group has hired Caesar Consulting to guide us in expanding
our programs. With the help of this consulting group, we’ve developed
a plan that will triple the number of students participating in our programs
within the next three years and significantly increase the breadth of
programs we offer.
We’re now beginning the process of hiring a new CEO of Global Nomads Group and a Director of Programs. If you’d like any more information about the positions available, please inquire by calling 212-529-0377.
