TeamFocus: University of Maine students join in efforts at the ChildVoice Center

Alvin Winslow, director of Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) at the University of Maine, along with members of the CCC staff and students traveled to Uganda in May to work on various projects at the ChildVoice International Center in Lukodi.

The group of two women and three men were involved in several ventures connected to agriculture and livestock. One of the goals of ChildVoice for the mothers and their children is that they will be able to generate their own income when they leave the ChildVoice program. One of the strategies is to raise cattle, sheep and goats the girls can use to produce meat and milk. The UMaine team visited ranches in western Uganda and selected four bred heifers, five sheep and three goats. They worked with the herdsmen to record the good health of the animals and laid out the strategies and treatments to keep them healthy and productive. Before the livestock arrived at the Center, the team worked with several local men to clear the land and built a durable corral at the back of the ChildVoice/Lukodi property near the river. Here, the team worked with several local men to clear the land and build the enclosure. Alvin commented, "This was a great experience to work alongside the local people. The people are eager to work and skilled in using their tools and materials."

Leveraging his agricultural background, Alvin also worked with the ChildVoice staff to develop an agricultural plan for the Center, that includes strategies for planting crops and use of livestock to provide food and income- generating opportunities on the ChildVoice land.

Another highlight of the trip was the opportunities to spend time with the girls and their children. One of the experiences that stood out to Matt Hunter, also on staff with Campus Crusade at UMaine, was described like this: "We started with a 'sing-off' of sorts where we would teach them a song and then they would teach us one. The rest of the evening was wonderful as we sang and praised God late into the night."

The team ended their trip by building showers and expanding the kitchen in preparation for the larger groups that would be arriving in June and beyond. Overall, the trip was very fulfilling for them.