Saturday, April 23, 2011

London March 2011

I had the honour to be invited to Britain for events of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, culminating in a Gala Dinner in March. You can read their report here.


In part, that report reads:

The Africa Region of the Award was highlighted by two guest speakers from the World Youth Education Trust (WYET) who are running the Award Programme for formerly abducted child soldiers in Uganda.
WYET currently cares for more than 50 formerly abducted child soldiers in the Ugandan region of Lira and Adwari. The Trust provides food, shelter, counselling and education for disadvantaged children and is working with them to build confidence and self esteem. WYET is working with the Source of the Nile Award (the Award Programme in Uganda) to use the Programme to rehabilitate young people in Uganda especially those who are former child soldiers.
Fred Obala (pictured second from left), who was abducted himself, shared his experience with guests and explained how the Award Programme is helping to rehabilitate young people, especially former child soldiers who have returned to their communities. Fred is the National Ugandan Project Leader for WYET and Source of the Nile Award Team Leader. He says the Award is helping young people to rediscover their potential. “The Award gives us practical skills and experiences in our own country and our own villages to show others that we have more to us than just our past or our history.” Founder of WYET, Corrin Varady spoke about the Trust’s collaboration with the Award Programme and how valuable it is to rebuilding young people’s lives. “In the very remote areas that we work, the people cannot be blamed for feeling that the world has forgotten about them. However, it is evenings such as tonight that send a message that this is not the case.”
I was greatly  honoured to meet with Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and Countess Sophie.




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