Update

Well, as usual, I left Uganda and neglected to update my blog with what happened after returning home. In two days, I leave to go back to Uganda and Rwanda with 11 undergraduates from the University of Tennessee, so I suppose now is a perfect time to catch everyone up on what has happened since Holly, Ben, Erin, and I have been back in the United States.

Since returning to the United States in May, I have begun creating a 160-page book with Providence House Publishing that explores creativity in conflict and post-conflict zones. It is a collection of paintings, folktales, interviews, embroidery, poetry, drawings, lyrics, etc. The chapters explore ways in which northern Ugandans discover their voices and tell their stories, express their visions for the future, and strengthen their communities, all through the arts. Profits of book sales will support programs and local artists using creative strategies for peacebuilding. This publication will serve as both my College Scholars and Chancellor’s Honors senior theses, and I expect to be prepared to defend it by July 2009. The book, titled Bed Ki Gen: Northern Uganda’s Creative Approaches to Peace and Healing, will go to print early 2009.



In addition to the book, The Jazz for Justice Project had a very busy fall semester. We registered as an official student organization at the University of Tennessee and recruited a group of dedicated, passionate students to expand with. We had events throughout the month of October including a First Friday exhibit at Unarmed Merchants on Gay Street. Ben, Erin, Dr. Hackett, Jeff Coffin, and Ryoko Suzuki, and I all contributed photographs for the display that highlighted Jazz for Justice's involvement both in Knoxville and Uganda.

We also hosted a conference on creative approaches to peacebuilding in Africa's Great Lakes region with the Howard Baker Center for Public Policy, two working luncheons with UT administration, and the 3rd Annual Knoxville Jazz for Justice benefit concert.



For our power week from October 13-17th, Winnie Lawoko and Betty Udongo joined us in Knoxville, furthering our partnership between JfJ, the University of Tennessee, and the Northern Uganda Girls Education Network.



Below are several photos from the semester's events:

(Winnie speaking to an African Religions class at UT in October)


(Stage and Projector at the 3rd Annual JfJ benefit concert)


(Group photo of volunteers and the NUGEN women at the benefit concert)