If there is one cause that seems to resonate with more college students today than anything else, the crises in Darfur and Uganda definitely top the list. At U.Va. alone there are multiple undergraduate groups dedicated to help the people of Northern Africa in any way.
"This is the tragedy for this generation," Religious Studies and Sociology Prof. Justin Holcomb said. "President Bush called it genocide, Colin Powell called it genocide, but the rest of the world thought we needed more investigation to see if all of this rape, murder and suffering was really genocide. Students see this and amazingly are moved to action."
Holcomb knows all too well about the dire situation in southern Sudan. Every summer he and his wife, University alumna Lindsey Holcomb, travel to the region where Holcomb trains chaplains in the Sudanese People's Liberation Army.
"One summer, my church here, Christ Episcopal Church, ended up giving me $4,000 to disperse there, and we were able to buy so much for so little money," Holcomb said. "When I reported back and told them everything that had been done with this $4,000, everyone was pretty amazed and people started asking how they could help and wanted to donate."
Consequently, the Holcombs founded Mosaic, a non-profit dedicated to peace and social justice in Uganda and southern Sudan. Mosaic has been successful in raising funds for numerous projects to improve the situation in the region, including purchasing mosquito nets to help prevent the spread of malaria.
"So many people care about the issues, but it really depends on there being a ligament to connect people here to people there," Holcomb said. "Before we formed, it was really difficult to answer people when they asked me how they could help."
Mosaic's newest goal is to build a center for former child soldiers who need intense therapy and rehabilitation to be able to acclimate to life outside of slavery -- leading to a new need for fundraising. Coincidentally, at this time third-year Law student Laura Holland had just begun to take an interest in Uganda as well. Holland attended a speech given by Grace Akallo, a former child soldier in the Lord's Resistance Army (the rebel forces in Uganda). Akallo wrote a book about her experiences that peaked Holland's interest.
Holland and a friend brainstormed the idea for Move for Uganda, an event that aims to raise funds and awareness about the situation in Northern Africa. Holland went to her friend and former professor, Holcomb, and informed him of her desire to hold an event to raise money for Mosaic.
Holcomb liked the idea and relayed it to the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, for whom Holcomb acts as a faculty advisor. Phi Gamma Delta had been looking to help organize some sort of philanthropy for Uganda, so through Holcomb all interested parties were able to coordinate their efforts to hold an event.
So through the joint efforts of Mosaic, Phi Gamma Delta, the student version of Mosaic and Laura Holland's individual interest, Move for Uganda was formulated. The event will be held at the Satellite Ballroom and will include a DJ as well as raffle prizes donated from local businesses.
"We wanted it to be a really casual night where people can have a good time, but they're also at the same time benefiting Mosaic and raising awareness about what's going on in Uganda," Holland said. "We're hoping that the money we raise will help with the rehabilitation of these child soldiers."
Move for Uganda will be held Wednesday, April 16 at the Satellite Ballroom at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. 3
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