Love Mercy

By Eloise Wellings    A couple of Sunday’s ago, 75 of us ran and walked from Sutherland to Cronulla. Around 10,000 steps to run, a few more if you’re walking. There was purpose in each and every step. Building a medical clinic in a war ravaged area in Northern Uganda. I hope that some day, some of the hundreds of Love Mercy supporters might get to meet our Ugandan friends who we’re standing alongside. But in case not, let me tell you a little about the people from Otuke County, who will be   helped by this clinic.   They are the poorest of the poor, some of them have lived through the last 20 years of war in Uganda’s North, some of them children, and war is all they’ve ever known- never seeing or knowing what peace looks like, until now. Now, that the war has settled, the LRA have moved into neighbouring Congo, it is time to rebuild, restore hope and make the community liveable again, and we’ve been given the opportunity to respond to the need. The medical clinic wil...

More from Rachel Hardy.. Some of the children we send to school. A few girls at Adiwang Secondary School idly stand outside classrooms; I assume it’s morning break time. Jimmy and I sit inside the school office, sign the guestbook and chat with the headmaster. The proprietor, George, explains the vision of the secondary school uniquely for girls, the only one in the district. A math and physics educator of 36 years, he has seen how difficult it is for girls to get ahead in Uganda. “Girls in some of the villages are still seen as cattle, and this must change,” George explains. “Girls are often the ones who do better in their studies…if they don’t get pregnant before they finish. Our heart is to see these girls succeed; Jimmy knows how it is here in the village.” Jimmy agrees, and George continues. “Parents here in the village don’t see why they should educate girls. That’s why there are girls outside and not in classrooms; their families haven’t paid their fees, and w...

 Like Water....   Rachel Hardy is spending time with the Kids in our sponsorship program to see how we can best help them in their future. Have a read of what she has to say on her latest trip to Orum Primary School. “A few years ago, you wouldn’t have stopped on the side of the road like this, would you?” “Eh, no. You didn’t ever stop. If you stopped, eh…you were gone.” On our way to Orum Primary School to take pictures of the sponsored children, nature called Jimmy, so we slowed to a stop on the side of the road. I asked him about stopping, and he gave his haunting response as he shut his door. I shuddered. Much of the territory I traverse for research and photo documentation is former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war land. Though the sheer beauty of the seemingly untouched countryside is stunning, I find myself wondering how many bodies are buried in those rolling hills and how many horrific tales I’d hear if those majestic trees could talk. Somewhat spooked, I ...

Rachel Hardy, International Studies in Development student is currently doing research in Northern Uganda for the Love Mercy Foundation for 6 weeks, and also for her thesis. Here is some of what she has learnt so far...  I thought I was prepared. I had my camera for pictures, my notebook of interview questions, a pen, extra bug spray, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. I bought a muffin, bananas and some peanuts at the supermarket for a snack, and Jimmy grabbed chapatti, mandashi and water. I hadn’t had milk that morning to make sure my motion sickness didn’t get the best of me on the rough and bumpy roads. I was well stocked, well fed and well on my way for my first interview session with the women of Awake (ah-WAH-kay) church. But I was far from ready. Upon our arrival, a handful of women gathered to talk with me about Love Mercy ’s Cents for Seeds program; the village was participating for the first year, and we wanted to get their feedback. At first, the questions ...

Well last week you saw the photos... Now you can read the Newspaper article too! After several weeks of fundraising, many hours of training, and approximately 1hr17mins* running the Sutherland to Surf, our team of 75 people managed to raise a huge $61,270! This is an incredible effort given that our target was originally just $30,000. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, as well as our team of runners, walkers, and volunteers who made such an effort making sure the day was a success! Special thanks go out to: Simmone & Scott Townsend on the BBQ Stephie from live it for her organisational skills Jackie Hammond from Wazzup T-shirts in Taren point for her generosity. Hold onto your shirts until next year! See you then  *approximate finishing time of all athletes who competed)