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Mother-Daughter Duo Teams Up to Serve with ChildVoice

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Uganda mom

Dianne Joens & daughter Darla

Dianne Joens of Riceville, Iowa, was thrilled when her daughter, Darla, asked if she would join her on a mission trip. “My response was immediate,” she recalls. “I said ‘Yes, when and where?’ I didn’t imagine it would be the other side of the world!”

When Darla revealed that the trip was to northern Uganda, Dianne was caught off guard. “The whole idea was out of my comfort zone. But time and again we received confirmation that we were supposed to go.”

It wasn’t long after her invitation that Darla remembers receiving an email from her mom that read: “I have my days off at work for the mission trip to Uganda. Do you?” Darla smiles, describing that moment when she realized her mother was definitely joining her. In November 2011, Dianne and Darla experienced Africa together, serving ChildVoice with a team from Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, Iowa.

A Young Mother Reaches Out to Others

Having become a single mother at the age of 17, Darla was drawn to the ChildVoice mission of helping young mothers create a secure future for themselves and their children.

“I became a statistic that I never thought I would be,” she describes. “It has not been an easy road and I lived most of the past 18 years day-to-day just trying to make a living for my daughter.”

Reflecting on her experience with the young mothers in northern Uganda, Darla adds, “Even though we are from different cultures, I believe we are more alike than different. We all have the same desires for our children—that they are safe, clothed, fed, happy and loved.”

Darla shared her story with the young mothers in the ChildVoice program during the mission trip. Their eyes were wide as she described her experience of raising a child on her own, the challenges she encountered, and the hope she had every step of the way. An instant bond was formed as the girls connected with Darla as someone who had walked a similar road.

“I couldn’t have been more proud of Darla the morning she gave her testimony,” Dianne says. “We had talked about how it would help other young girls and taking that step was a huge breakthrough for her.”

Counting Blessings on Mother’s Day

“I am so happy that Darla and I, as mother and daughter, were blessed with this special opportunity,” Dianne says. “We have settled back in to the routines of our lives, but we will never be the same. The girls and staff at ChildVoice will always be in our minds and hearts.”

The experience Darla had with her mother in Uganda has her dreaming of one day taking a mission trip with her daughter. “As for my own mother, sharing this experience with her has deepened my love for her in ways I can’t explain,” she says.

“We were both moved beyond words by the people of northern Uganda and the work ChildVoice is doing to bring them hope. I am grateful that I experienced it with my mom.”

Happy Mother’s Day to moms around the world! Learn more about how you can participate and serve on a team trip to Uganda.

Filed Under: ChildVoice in Uganda, Home Page, Volunteers

Waukee High School winning fundraisers

April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Waukee High School winning fundraisers

Waukee High School winning fundraisers

Thanks Again Waukee High School!

There is no stopping the students at Waukee High School in Waukee, Iowa! Last month, students at the school raised $4,977 for ChildVoice International in only five days—just in time for the funds to be doubled through the matching gift offered in March.

Led by the student organization, Voices 4 Hope, a school-wide fund-drive competition was waged between all 3rd period classes. The 3rd period class that raised the most money during that school week received a catered lunch courtesy of Biaggi’s Italian Restaurant and an ice cream dessert bar courtesy of local ChildVoice volunteers.

The two top fund-raising classes raised nearly the same amount each. As a result, both classes were included in the catered lunch and dessert prize. These two classes (pictured) raised about a fourth of the school-wide total.

Since 2009, the Waukee High School student body of approximately 1,100 students has contributed upwards of $10,000 to ChildVoice through sales of ChildVoice Beads and other fundraisers. Thank you, Waukee High School, for caring about people your own age from other parts of the world and for helping ChildVoice impact their lives for the better!

Filed Under: ChildVoice Beads, ChildVoice in Uganda, Home Page, Stories, Volunteers Tagged With: , , , , ,

ChildVoice Graduate, Independent Woman

April 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Concy and others producing bead jewelry for ChildVoice

Concy and others producing bead jewelry for CVI

“I gained hope to be an independent woman and help other young mothers,” says Concy.

A 2009 graduate of the Lukome Centre in northern Uganda, Concy returned to her home village, confident in her ability to provide for herself and her family.

Having been trained in baking throughout her time at the centre, she started a bread-making business in her community.

“It was not hard because of the skills I had learned here at ChildVoice.”

Because of the volatile economy, the skyrocketing prices of sugar, flour and other inputs got to the place where she could not make a profit. Finally, she began to seek alternative employment.

“I saw signs posted on the trees in front of ChildVoice. They needed bead women, so I came to apply.”

Nine months later, Concy is thriving amongst the forty-two women employed with ChildVoice Beads. She is now able to pay school fees for several members of her family, and provide for her children, Moses and Ronald.

Concy concluded, “I now have hope and am encouraged in my life.”

To purchase products made by Concy and the women of ChildVoice Beads, visit our webstore.

Filed Under: ChildVoice Beads, ChildVoice in Uganda, Stories Tagged With: , ,

ChildVoice Matching Grant Update 2012

April 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Thank you

Amazing!

A month ago, ChildVoice launched an exciting initiative by telling the story of Grace.

In many ways, Grace is why we do what we do. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) abducted her at age 10. She was immediately given to one commander as his wife – and was forced to loot and kill.

After escaping and settling in the town of Gulu, she was shunned by the townspeople as “damaged goods.” She planned to kill all her neighbors and burn the compound – but then she heard about ChildVoice.

Grace heard about the new community ChildVoice established for girls of the war and their children – and became the part of ChildVoice’s very first class in 2007.

Her life changed. She made peace with God – and peace with those she had wanted to kill. She healed and learned, now working a job and providing for her children.

There are many girls like Grace in northern Uganda. ChildVoice wanted to help them – but needed the resources to be able to do so.

Then…last month, ChildVoice received a Matching Grant of $50,000. And, our friends and supporters began to spread the word and give their gifts.

At the end of March, the time established for the conclusion of the Matching Grant effort…the results added up and up…

On March 31, the Matching Grant total exceeded $50,000 – we had realized the goal and doubled the impact of everyone’s gift – Amazing!

Many thanks to everyone who supported this effort – small gifts from students, Facebook friends that gave, churches that were involved, and sacrificial gifts from many.

Girls like Grace now have a better chance at a better life – due to the exciting conclusion to last month’s Matching Grant initiative. Thank you.

We think these results and the possibility of new life for many are simply…Amazing!

Filed Under: ChildVoice in Uganda, Home Page, Partners, Stories, Updates Tagged With: , , , , ,

ChildVoice Team Trip Renews & Refreshes

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

written by Heather Jobst, mission team member in November 2011.

ChildVoice Volunteer, Heather Jobst

ChildVoice Volunteer, Heather Jobst, left

Growing up, I was taught to do what I could to give back because, compared to most of the world, I was relatively ‘privileged.’ While not rich by American standards, my basic necessities were always taken care of and I had family and friends who loved me. Not everyone is that lucky.

I have realized recently that helping others renews and refreshes my spirit, which was one of the compelling reasons for me to choose to travel to Africa and spend almost two weeks with the amazing girls in the ChildVoice residential program. While I was hoping to help renew the spirit of the girls, I had no idea that the girls also would be serving others as part of their counseling and restoration.

Presenting hygiene supplies

Presenting hygiene supplies

The most impactful and memorable part of my trip to the Lukome Centre is the morning we accompanied the girls as they served others in nearby villages. The girls and members of the team from Lutheran Church of Hope spent several hours helping local elderly women who had no one to assist them with daily tasks or long-term upkeep of their home and gardens. Some of these women had lost all of their children to rebel activity. Others were widows or had husbands who were ill.

We all joined in to help smear fresh mud on huts, fetch water, cultivate and harvest fields and gardens, and clean and sweep the living areas. The girls also presented each woman with a gift of hygiene supplies. It was a hot day, but the girls worked tirelessly and with no complaints, many with their babies tied to their backs.

smearing hut

Smearing a hut

When I embarked on this adventure, I never thought the girls I was trying to help heal would be helping others as part of their healing journey. These young Ugandan girls have experienced significant trauma as a result of war and violence in their homeland, yet they are warm, caring and loving. If the girls’ acts of service and compassion impacted them even a fraction of how they inspired me, I’m quite sure great strides were made in helping them move forward in their healing and restoration.

Learn how you can participate in a team trip to Uganda.

Filed Under: ChildVoice in Uganda, Home Page, Stories, Volunteers Tagged With: , , , , ,

ChildVoice Board Member Receives Community Service Award

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Dr. Neil Mandsager with “baby Neil” in Uganda

Dr. Neil Mandsager with “baby Neil” in Uganda. One year prior to this photograph being taken, Dr. Mandsager delivered baby Neil at the ChildVoice Lukome Centre.

Dr. Neil Mandsager was recently awarded the Iowa Medical Society’s 2011 Physician Community Service Award for his dedicated work with ChildVoice International, Inc. Dr. Mandsager is a perinatologist with the Perinatal Center of Iowa and medical director of Mercy Medical Center Des Moines’ Maternity Triage and Treatment Unit.

The brother of ChildVoice founder, Conrad Mandsager, Dr. Mandsager has demonstrated a tireless commitment to the organization since its establishment in 2006. In addition to being a charter member on the ChildVoice Board of Directors, Dr. Mandsager has also led several medical and mission teams to northern Uganda, helped establish a medical clinic in the area ChildVoice serves, and dedicated countless hours throughout central Iowa to help grow awareness and support for the organization’s work.

Dr. Mandsager will be leading a team to northern Uganda in November 2012. Learn more about joining him at childvoiceintl.org/go.

Filed Under: ChildVoice in Uganda, News, Staff Tagged With: , , , ,

ChildVoice Bead Director: encouraged, challenged, excited

April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sharyn Bartlett, ChildVoice Beads Director

Sharyn Bartlett, Bead Director, right

Taking responsibility for the Bead Project here in the USA and the production efforts in Uganda, can seem a bit daunting.  However, as I discover more about the overall Mission of ChildVoice International and see how this project can uplift and support that mission, I am encouraged, challenged and excited!

I have learned how our ChildVoice Beads have brought in funds that are used to transform lives and literally free these girls and their children from the oppression and devastation that war and slavery has caused. 

ChildVoice Beads

ChildVoice Beads

You may never have traveled to Uganda or seen such poverty and abuse; but you are there helping these girls and their children by purchasing these products and telling your friends and relatives about buying a gift with a purpose!

Thank you for your participation in our cause.  Please continue to check in with us during 2012 and see how your purchasing of these beads has helped people in such a faraway place! 

Filed Under: Bead Blog, ChildVoice Beads, ChildVoice in Uganda, The Director's Corner Tagged With: , , , ,

Ugandan Women Saving for Their Future

March 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ChildVoice bead ladies' savings group

Helen on the left

Gathered around a blue tin box, a group of ChildVoice bead ladies busily record numbers, discuss totals and compare notes. This gathering on the veranda at the Lukome Centre is the weekly meeting of a Savings Group that has been established among ChildVoice bead makers. There, sitting on their bamboo mats, the women handle transactions that represent more than money. This opportunity to save and have access to loans represents hope and change for their futures and for their children’s futures.

Savings Groups are a worldwide movement that has seen incredible growth in Africa where an estimated five million people participate. In general, Savings Groups are self-managed groups of between 15 to 25 individuals who meet regularly to contribute to build savings. The group savings is utilized as a loan fund from which members may borrow in small amounts. Interest-bearing loans are typically made to cover emergencies, unexpected medical expenses or small business investments. After a period of time (usually one year), there is a pay-out among group members in which they receive their total savings, plus interest earnings.

Here at ChildVoice Beads, two Savings Groups have been established among the bead makers. The group meeting on the veranda has only 10 members, each of whom have contributed a minimum of 500 shillings (about 20 cents) at the beginning of the saving cycle in order to participate.

“I used to try to save in my hut,” Acot Helen, a veteran ChildVoice employee, describes. “But it was difficult and there was no possibility for a loan.”

In Helen’s Savings Group, loans are made at a maximum of 20,000 shillings with a 1% interest rate. “If you pay back the loan well, you will be able to get another loan in the future,” Helen explains, adding that they have never had a problem with a member failing to repay a loan according to the agreed upon terms.

ChildVoice bead ladies' savings groupWhen the business is completed for the week, the blue tin box is locked securely and the ladies send it back to be safely locked in the ChildVoice office. There isn’t a drive-through teller, and no ATM machine to access the funds—and they don’t need it. The blue tin box works perfectly for these determined, hopeful Ugandan women.

Filed Under: ChildVoice Beads, ChildVoice in Uganda, Stories Tagged With: , , , , ,

Join ChildVoice and Take ACTION to Help Children in Northern Uganda

March 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Would You Rather Build Awareness or Take Action?

You’ve seen the Kony 2012 video. You feel the urgency. By coming here, you’re committed to moving beyond awareness – you’ve chosen to act on behalf of those affected by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Here are some ways you can take the next step towards helping those truly in need:

1. Double Your Gift – - Every gift of $30, $50, $100 or more will be doubled

The girls in northern Uganda currently being served by ChildVoice International include former child soldiers, children orphaned by war, and those left destitute by rebel activity. YOU have the chance to reach out and help a young mother and her children by expanding and enhancing the work of ChildVoice.

Just when these girls need it most, ChildVoice has received a Matching Grant of $50,000! Every gift given TODAY of $30, $50, $100 or more will be automatically doubled – multiplying the impact you can make.

NOTE: Ask your friends to give $30 for the matching gift and you REALLY make an impact!

2. Contribute to an Expanded New Lukome Centre

It is now time to launch the second chapter of our history in Northern Uganda by scaling up our program. We receive hundreds of applications for every bed that becomes available, but we have been limited in our response due to the lack of capacity – only 32 girls. We will begin construction in March of a new campus on the new site that will eventually have capacity for 72 girls and their children, a 125% increase!

Donate TODAY to help ChildVoice reach more girls in need of services!

3. Spread the Word

Join the movement and act now. Post, on Facebook and Twitter, a message like the those below about ChildVoice and ways to help those affected by Kony.

Facebook Posts:

“Are you ready to do more than advocate in 2012? ChildVoice offers assistance to girls and their children impacted by Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army in war-torn Uganda through targeted care. Visit their Facebook page, click “LIKE” and find out more. https://www.facebook.com/childvoice”

“Awareness or Action? What’s more important – helping people become aware of an issue (through sharing links, wearing a t-shirt, etc.) or helping the people actually affected by a war or disaster? Both are good. ChildVoice focuses on helping girls impacted by Kony and the LRA in war-torn Uganda through targeted care. Visit their Facebook page, click “LIKE” and find out more. https://www.facebook.com/childvoice”

Twitter Tweets:

“Are you ready to do more than advocate in 2012? If so, visit www.childvoiceintl.org. Spread the word!”

“Moved by Kony 2012? Check out what ChildVoice is doing and how you can help at www.childvoiceintl.org. Spread the word!”

4. Involve Your Community

If you feel compelled to act on behalf of ChildVoice, invite your community to join together and organize a fundraising project with your friends, class, school, sports team, youth club, or church to raise funds for on-the-ground needs in northern Uganda – housing, counseling, health care, etc. Visit the ChildVoice Gift Catalog to learn more..

Click here to get ideas for your group…

Filed Under: ChildVoice in Uganda, Home Page, Partners, Volunteers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Month Eleven:The “Positive” Life

March 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Author’s Note: As the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS continues to spread, Uganda remains one of the hardest hit countries. Like Monica, other young women at ChildVoice and their children are affected by this deadly disease by no fault of their own. In 2009, according to the Uganda AIDS Commission, approximately 1.2 million people were reported to be HIV infected; 124,000 people were newly infected; and 64,000 people died due to AIDS related illnesses. In this month’s story, Monica talks about the difficulties of living with this illness.

Living with HIV



About a Girl: Monica and BlessingI have to live with this thing of HIV. Worse even, my child lives with it too. It is making our lives even more difficult than they already are. We struggle slowly, bit by bit without getting too down because we want to continue and have a happy life.

It is always on my mind. How do you stop from thinking of it? When I found out my two-year-old daughter, Blessing, was positive too…that was one of the worst days. She was getting so small, not eating or making noises except to cry. I even wanted to leave the ChildVoice center to just go home and die. With prayer and support from my teachers, I was able to see differently, and I decided to stay.

When I went home for Christmas, I was reminded how difficult life is there. Sometimes your neighbors can do bad things against you. Sometimes there is not enough money to buy the simple things you need. We don’t even need so much, but there is not enough for even those things. It is a hard life there. Because of the disease, I have to travel very far each week to town so that I can get my medicine from ChildVoice. I think I didn’t realize how much CVI helps me there. When you are [HIV] positive you need to take medicine all the time and at the right time; you cannot miss it. I don’t know what I would do without the medicine. It is really keeping us both healthy and alive. I worry what I will do one day if there is no medicine.

Staying Positive for the Future

I just pray and know that I must keep strong and try to focus on the good things in my life for the future. I want to finish up my program well at CVI. I want to work hard, to get all of the knowledge that I need so that when I leave, Blessing and I can have a good future. I’ve learned many things so far, but I feel I’m not yet done. I can see good changes taking place in my life. I must remain grateful for the good things in my life so that I can get through. Life has been hard, but we can still be happy.

Filed Under: About a Girl, ChildVoice in Uganda, Stories, Updates Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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