Cause for Celebration!

First Ten Girls Transition Home from Lukodi Centre.

Ten child mothers - the first to arrive at the ChildVoice Lukodi Centre when it opened in September 2007 - made the transition back to their homes this past March and began the reintegration process in their villages. Singing, dancing, and even a few tears, were part of a celebration to celebrate all the girls had accomplished. The overriding theme, however, was hope.

Armed with trade skills to earn a living, effective parenting methods, a basic education, as well as restored physical, emotional and spiritual health - and continued guidance from ChildVoice - the transitioning girls were ready to face the opportunities and challenges ahead.

While the girls were excited to return home following the celebration, this wouldn't always have been the case. They returned to situations that previously had been difficult at best, often unbearable. They had been mistreated by the people of their home villages after escaping from the rebel forces that had ripped them from their homes years earlier. Some had lost their parents to the war and had not been welcome to reside with extended family. Money and food had been scarce due to their lack of education and skills.

But that was then.

As they celebrated, the girls' held their heads high. With all they've gained through the Centre's program, they were proud to return home as contributing members of their families and communities. They'd become equipped to support themselves, raise competent children, develop healthy relationships, and be an example for others.

In the subsequent days, the girls left the Lukodi Centre and were welcomed back to their villages and families with pride and praise. Since that time, Winnie, the counselor at the Lukodi Centre, has visited the girls regularly to check on their progress and reports that they are all assimilating into their communities and adjusting well.

Having been at home for several months now, Beatrice says "Everything is good because we are educated. Each time I ask my family for something, they help me."

Skovia, another student who returned home, says learning how to show others respect has helped her reunite successfully at home. "We show respect for people and help them with getting water or digging," she describes. "That is a life skill we learned at Lukodi."

"ChildVoice taught me how to communicate with people better," adds Grace. "ChildVoice taught me life skills and now I advise other people not to hurt each other." People of the community seek Grace's counsel and she is passing on what she learned about parenting and teaching respect.

The girls are pleased that their children also are adjusting well to being home. As expected, the children experienced a period of transition. "Over time, the children formed friendships," says Beatrice. "They play together and go to school together."

School fees are difficult for parents to pay in Uganda and these young single mothers are no exception. However, the girls are committed to their children's education and, despite the fees, have already enrolled their children in the local primary schools.

Making a Living.

Prior to transitioning home, ChildVoice helped the ten students organize into small groups to open bakery businesses in their villages. Micro-financing loans were provided by ChildVoice to offset start-up costs. ChildVoice also continues to provide these fledgling entrepreneurs with guidance, instruction and moral support.

One of the groups, from Unyama, negotiated with the community to build an oven for their bakery. They've rented a storefront and are working hard to keep up with demand for the delicious buns they learned to bake at the Lukodi Centre. ChildVoice is helping the girls explore solutions for increasing productivity.

In Layibe, although the girls have no oven yet, they have begun making and selling donuts. To grow their client list, they've offered samplings of their product to retailers. ChildVoice recently helped the girls examine the marketplace to check the pricing and quality of competitive products. The girls learned how to utilize this information as they made their own business decisions.

When students from Lukodi Centre make the move from the structure of the program to their home environments, ChildVoice maintains regular contact and continues to assist them as they make the transition. By meeting with the girls on a regular basis, ChildVoice staff members are able to work with them on specific problems or questions that arise and coach them on a variety of topics, from parenting to micro-enterprise management.

"We are as concerned about their success today as we were when they were living at the Lukodi Centre," explains Conrad Mandsager, ChildVoice founder and CEO. "As long as they apply themselves and are working hard, ChildVoice will be there to help them."

During a recent trip to Uganda, Conrad had the opportunity to meet with four of the ten students who recently returned to their villages. "These girls clearly have changed since we welcomed them to the Lukodi Centre," he remarks of his time with them. "They were confident, dressed sharp, made eye contact when we spoke. If I wouldn't have known better, I would have guessed they were college graduates," he adds. "These girls are optimistic and determined - and I'm incredibly proud of each one."