LLNS Wastes No Time!

Already, LLNS is preparing to help i.HUG raise much-needed donations through the United Way campaign. I love how they don't waste any time!

A Big i.HUG Thank You to LLNS!

This morning, I received the warmest welcome from a marketing agency called LLNS. I gave an overview of i.HUG--and the questions and responses I received were so enthusiastic, I couldn't believe it. There was so much talent in the room, it gave me the shivers!



The agency is pooling their collective interest and plans to help i.HUG build its marketing and communications arms. Good thing, cause we need the help.

Paddy sends some photos from Mark's stay, and the i.HUG self-confidence/conflict resolution program.







The next few months are a definite period of transition, as i.HUG moves from talking, thinking, and explaining...to doing (and doing and doing...we're so busy!!!) Current focus is on preparing for Jane's visit to Uganda--she leaves in just 11 days. While she's there, she has to find a school building to rent, hire a teacher, and hold many meetings with the community. On the admin side, we're working hard on finding some new partners to help us with development, finishing up the website (www.ihugfoundation.org), and creating rock-solid finance processes.

A Final Note from Mark

i.HUG volunteer Mark Webster offers us some thoughts that round our his experience running the self-esteem and conflict resolution programs for children in Kabalagala.
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Dear Jane,
Today is the last day! I am looking forward to awarding all 70! children their certificates. I know exactly what you meanvabout the way Uganda works but I know that we haven't minimized the effect of the work. I have taught
the teachers how to run workshops like this and they have told me that they have seen a change in the children already. I had insisted on evaluation sheets for all the children and the teachers - Hope has tolerated my bossiness for the past two weeks and has met all my demands.

After the workshops today I will be taking pictures of each group, the whole group and then just the iHUG kids - all with their certificates. I have also taken lots of other pictures - the village, the concert, the workshops etc. Paddy is going to download them onto his laptop. You may need to email him and get him to email them to you as I have not brought a lap top with me. I have not checked the iHUG site but Hope tells me that my blog is on there. I don't know which photo of me you arereferring to or who took it.

The village was great as I hope I expressed in my blog. I'm afraid I don't know which children I met were the ones you got to know so well. There was one very funny little guy called Samsa who kept us all entertained.

Hope ensures me that the iHUG children have all written letters to their sponsors so you may want to instruct him or Paddy about what you want to be done with them.

I have had such a brilliant time here. It has been a real eye opener and a great way to start my adventure. Thank you so much for your help in setting this up. I leave with some sadness and wonder if I will ever return - it would be great to see your school and check up on how the childrens' centre has put into practice some of my ideas.

Cheers, Markx.

Now On: Self-Esteem Workshop

i.HUG volunteer Mark teamed up with out partners this week to run a workshop in Kabalagala for children in the community. Instead of just the original 20 or so i.HUG sponsored kids, this program reached three times as many of those children.

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Mark writes:

I am teaching Ronald, Doughnut, a couple of students and
some other teaching assistants from the childrens centre about how to run a
series of self esteem/conflict resolution workshops. I am leading the
workshops for the 14-15 yrs of which there are 23, and the others are
working with two other groups: 6-10 and 11-13. There are approximately
23 in each group - this is hard given the limited room space indoors. My
group are outside. We have two hours with them every day for a total of 8
days. We will finish next Wednesday and hopefully they will all get
certificates.

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In Memorium

age: 13 years old
cause of death: rabies

a reminder of the multitude of issues that can stop this young boy from dying from an illness that can be treated.