Thank you from IJM Uganda Field Office for Assistance During Will Writing Clinic

“We would like to say a huge thankyou to those IJM Campus Chapter students and Clinical Legal Studies students at UCU who helped out in the Case Intake and Will-writing workshop last week on 29 July 2009. Your patience, dedication and willingness to serve was very much appreciated. In fact your assistance was invaluable. We wish you well during the exam period and for your future studies. – IJM Uganda”

IJM Update from Washington D.C.

• Last night (July 28), IJM Cambodia and local police conducted a successful rescue operation at a remote brothel: 20 girls and young women were removed from the building in the coordinated operation, and all perpetrators were arrested. The brothel owner, formerly an officer in the Khmer Rouge, initially attempted to escape by jumping from a second floor balcony over a brick wall, but was pursued by police and ultimately found hiding in a shed. The brothel was particularly cruel; the girls and women there were never free to leave alone and were sent to service customers at local casinos each night. One of the girls said to IJM staff, “Now we’re out of hell and going to paradise!” The victims are receiving care from IJM social workers as they share their stories with local authorities. IJM will ensure that each victim is equipped with the aftercare services she needs in collaboration with local partners. The accused perpetrators are in police custody.

• After nine years of perseverance, IJM Manila has secured the conviction of the man who brutally assaulted IJM client Alina* when she was 11. On July 24, 2009, the perpetrator, Alina’s uncle, was convicted of rape by sexual assault, which carries a sentence of 6 to 12 years in prison. In 2006, IJM Manila also prevailed in an administrative case filed with the Philippine National Police in which Alina’s uncle, formerly a Chief of Police, was dismissed from the police service for conduct unbecoming an officer for the assault. Alina has inspired the Manila team with her courage and perseverance over the past nine years and now serves as a peer mentor in the field office’s S.T.A.R.s (Standing Together to Advocate Rights) Program – you can read more of Alina’s story here: http://www.ijm.org/main/ijmfromthefield-october2008 .

• Last night (July 28), one of IJM’s South Asia teams conducted an operation in collaboration with local police at a brothel – the operation, a result of IJM investigative work, brought freedom to seven trafficking victims. Six suspected perpetrators were taken into police custody duing the rescue operation. The freed women and girls are being cared for by IJM social workers as they share their stories with authorities.

Web Resources for Tuesday 7 July IJM Meeting

Here are the websites with resources on the topic of sexual exploitation.

We will be covering this topic at our Tuesday 7 July IJM Meeting.









Sites provided by Kyalimpa Judy

IJM Membership Test

The IJM Membership Test will ask you to answer questions regarding illegal property seizure, the four fold purpose of IJM, and the unique attributes of the Uganda Christian University Campus Chapter.

You will also be required to quote 3 Bible versus that concern the issue of justice.

Finally, you will be required to state in the affirmative that you have read the membership packet.

Membership qualification quizzes will be conducted after regular meetings for those who have read the membership packet and are prepared to take the quiz.

21st Century Slavery in Africa

We will be having a presentation and discussion about modern slavery in Africa at our regular meeting on June 30th.

The date of this meeting might be moved due to the fact that UCU will be conducting a moot competition that day. An announcement will be made about the date of the meeting at the General Training on 23 June.

We hope you take the time to read and research the issue of modern slavery in preparation for the discussion.

Here are some sites that we recommend for learning about the problem modern slavery.

General Training Session

There will be a General Training Session on Tuesday, the 23rd of June in M5.

The training will begin at 10:30 a.m.

We welcome everyone interested in joining the campus chapter and those simply interested in learning more about IJM to attend.

May Semester Meetings Begin

Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome back!

IJM meetings have resumed this May Semester.

We are meeting every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Message from Headquarters on Transitions

Congratulations on another year!

There’s something to be said for transitions. They are milestones of growth and can also be markers of loss. They help clean out closets and folders and drawers, but they can wreak havoc on any sense of order you’ve had in your life. I moved a year ago and I still can’t find some of my stuff. The upside is that when I do find something it’s a little like Christmas—celebrating new things (or almost new), although generally without the snow or pajamas.

Some of you are celebrating new things — graduation makes the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. For those of you who have led your IJM Campus Chapters, we celebrate with you (and grieve a little), thankful for your faithful partnership over the years. We’re also thankful that so many of you are passing the torch of leadership on to the next generation of leaders. In fact, we’d like to remind you to please send us your latest chapter leadership contact info.

And if you haven’t left yet, then most of you are scrambling to write final papers, cram for exams, figure out summer plans, divide your stuff between roommates and pack and say goodbye… and do it all with as little sleep as possible. I know. I’ve seen it. I’m also betting you’re doing a lot of it in your pajamas. Good for you.

First of all, if you’re trying to stay awake, we’ve got the deal of a lifetime for you. Storyville Coffee. This month, drinking great coffee can literally change lives. And that’s something else you can do in your PJs!

During the month of May, Storyville Coffee is dedicating 100% of its revenue to IJM — up to $1,000,000 — to stop slavery, human trafficking, and other forms of violent oppression. That means if you spend $18 at Storyville Coffee, $18 goes to IJM!

Simply go to STORYVILLE.COM, purchase coffee, receive fresh roasted coffee beans in the mail, brew and enjoy — or consider a buying an early gift of gourmet coffee for Father’s Day or to celebrate graduations this month. Storyville is based on the idea that coffee is a ritual that gives us time to think, create and dream. In dreaming, we remember those who cannot. Your support can enable victims of modern-day slavery to dream again and to build new lives.
Also, please take time to complete this Campus Chapter update form and send it in. I know, it’s just another thing to do, but think of it as productive procrastination and an easy way to check something off a list. You’ll love the sense of accomplishment. I promise!
Again, I’m pretty sure mere words will never capture our profound sense of gratitude for your partnership. Know that you are appreciated, loved, and prayed for.

Have a safe and adventurous summer,

Andi Saccoccio
Dir. Of Student Ministries

Easter Greetings from IJM's Director of Student Ministries

Hello, friends!

I hope spring has finally arrived where you are. Here in D.C., the days are getting warmer, the nights shorter, and the cherry blossoms bear witness that beautiful rebirth comes from long, cold winters. In the wake of Easter I am reminded that this is true in all of life, be it trees and flowers, the renewal of our souls, or even the rebirth of hope from the darkness of oppression. I think that’s good news…

Some of the other ways we have enjoyed the promise of spring have been the joy of getting together with others from around the world at our Global Prayer Gathering. Students met on Friday to connect with each other and hear from Saju Matthew, IJM Field Office Director in South Asia, Eileen Campbell, Director of Justice Campaigns in our Government Relations Office, and Christa Hayden, Director of Church Mobilization for the Mid-Atlantic Region and former Aftercare Director in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The panel gave an excellent overview of how their gifts and passions fit into the larger work of seeking justice, and offered some wisdom for students trying to navigate their own vocational calling. The rest of the weekend was truly spent in prayer and meaningful conversation as we heard from our staff from all of our 16 field offices. If you missed it this year, put next year’s GPG on your calendar now: April 9-11, 2010. Look for more information to come.

And speaking of vocational discernment, are the graduating seniors in your chapter looking to continue their involvement with IJM? Ask them to consider applying for IJM’s internship program. International interns work as volunteers in one of IJM’s field offices for 9-12 months in various support roles. The application deadline for September 2009 deployment is quickly approaching: April 22 is the early decision deadline and May 22 is the regular deadline. If you or anyone you know is interested, please check out IJM’s Web site to learn more and download the application at www.ijm.org/internships.

I know many of you are beginning the work of "passing the torch" of leadership from one group to another. It would be incredibly helpful to us if you passed along new contact information for your new leadership team. We really do want to stay in touch and since you all are a bit of a moving target, it helps us when you let us know what’s going on.

Lastly, if you would like to hear more about IJM, keep an eye on our calendar. We are busy sending out speakers to talk about IJM and encourage your involvement in this important work. Don’t miss out!

If my involvement in the GPG this year did anything, it reminded me of just how important our partners in this mission are. Whether you are with us in person or in spirit, we are so grateful for the many ways you support our work. In what appears to be a hard season in our culture and economy, you represent the promise of what’s to come.

Peace to you,


Andi Saccoccio
Dir. Of Student Ministries

Faculty Sponsor's Visit to IJM's Offices in Washington D.C.

This post is by Brian Dennison, an IJM Campus Chapter Faculty Sponsor.............

I had the great privilege of visiting International Justice Mission’s central offices in Washington D.C. in late March.

It was a great visit. The staff at IJM is energetic and Christ-focused.

I particularly enjoyed praying with staff. Prayer is taken seriously at IJM and is an emphasis of each business day. IJM founder Gary Haugen led the prayers. Among those we prayed for was the vice-president of the campus chapter at Makerere. We also prayed our campus chapter at UCU and the exciting work that God is doing here.

I had the opportunity to meet for over an hour with IJM’s Director of Campus Ministry, Andi Saccoccio. It was a great meeting. Andi was well informed about the developments at our campus chapter and is excited about the partnership model that we are developing. She was very supportive and she took the time to introduce me to several key staff members.

Andi also invited me to attend portions of IJM’s Global Prayer Gathering which was being held that same week. I attended a meeting for campus chapters. A prayer topic form was handed out during the meeting and I was surprised and delighted to see that the first item listed on the form was “Praise: Development of International Campus Chapters- especially those in field office countries, like Uganda, who have begun partnering with field offices through student activities." What a great surprise!

Needless to say the visit to Washington D.C. was a huge encouragement. It is clear that IJM is very much aware and excited about the UCU Campus Chapter. May God continue to use and bless our commitment and enthusiasm here in Mukono.


-Brian

Field Training Opportunity

There is a field training session scheduled for Thursday the 23rd of April in Misindye.

If you are interested in attending please contact Brian Dennison at dbriandennison@gmail.com or via text at 0777852885

If we have enough interested people we will go.

Wishing you success and blessings this exam period.

April 1 Filed Training Session

The following is the list for attendees to the April 1 field training session:

Namusubo Janet
Malubowa Martha
Amongi Elizabeth
Aber Irene
Mbazi Kezia
Alomo Jude
Were John Arthur

Backups

Kakura Timothy
Kiconco Elizabeth
Grace T. Nicholas

Please meet in front of Thelma Hall/Florence Hall/Honours at 9:15 if you would like to attend.

We should return to campus by 2:45

ROLE OF A CHRISTIAN IN THE WORLD OF INJUSTICE, by Martha Nalubowa

ROLE OF A CHRISTIAN IN THE WORLD OF INJUSTICE.

Lunyero is a lady who was a victim of LRA atrocious crimes in Northern Uganda. For the rest of her life, she is only left with sorrow, solitude, depression not only because of the suffering she has gone through at the hands of brutal LRA but also because she was left with a kid and at the same time infected with HIV. (As per the New Vision Jan 5th 2009 pg. 20)

Lanyero must be pondering which future is head of her and whether justice would ever be administered for a proper cause of fair treatment and retribution or should she only wait upon the Lords’ come back for justice to be administered in all circumstances.

The world around us is full of injustice not only for Lanyero but also to the orphans, widows, widowers who are deprived of their property and so left exposed to the hard surviving circumstances of this world. It is no surprise that children living in the streets and homeless widows wandering in villages begging for food are victims of injustice. What a complicated life for the innocent to take in!

Apparently in our society, children and women are exposed to violent acts of sacrifice practically done by the greedy who are seeking riches as if riches attained by blood sacrifice last with settled peace of mind and without demonic torture and disturbances throughout the night as spirits wake them up to work since they had killed children for money.

Just like how the fountain of wisdom -the Bible- expresses that all is vanity, what we strive for unjustly is vanity. When we neglect the suffering or others our comfort zones are also vanity.

What can a Christian do in such a world of suffering? Isaiah 1:17 expresses that we should learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the cause of the widow. This is the best we can deliver and the general one is by praying for such people. In our society where the suffering also exist its prudent for a Christian to emulate Isaiah 1:17 infact through such practices, we shall be demonstrating Christian maturity in our walk with Christ.

IJM is a chapter here in UCU with a vision to advocate for justice in all causes. This is done through praying, teaching, sensitizing the widows, and public about their legal rights, especially succession rights and much more members are advocating for rights for the vulnerable to injustice.

Let’s join together for this common cause in our society for it’s a small seed we can saw for eternity of our lives as Isaiah 61:8 stipulates, for the Lord loves justice, He hates robbery and iniquity and in His faithfulness, He shall reward them who do justice and He shall make everlasting covenant with them. Hope you like such exquisite reward, join us in this promotion for justice in our society and sow such a seed for sustainable justice.

By Martha Nalubowa
4th year law

IJM Field Training Sessions in March

There are two IJM training sessions scheduled for March.

The first is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 11th March in Kalagi, Kyampisi sub-county at Kalagi Discipleship Church of Christ.

The second will be held on Wednesday 25th March in Namasumbi which is just north of Kalagi.

Groups of 6 to 7 students will be selected for both sessions. You must sign up by the Tuesday meeting to attend. You can also sign up with Brian Dennison at the Faculty of Law before that time.

Final year September session Students, students wait-listed for the last session, and officers will be given first priority.

Selected participants will need to report in front of Florence Hall/Thelma Hall/Honours College by 9:15 a.m. on the day of the session. Transport will be leaving UCU shortly after 9:15 a.m. participants will be provided with lunch and should expect to return to UCU between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. that same day.

The attendance of one IJM Field Training Session is a requirement for full membership in the Campus Chapter.

Thank you for your interest in IJM!

March 17 General Meeting

Dear Members,

We will be having a General Training Meeting on March 17th in the Chapel.

The session will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will likely last until noon.

Staff from IJM Uganda will be here to conduct the training.

Please make sure you attend if you would like to become a full member in the IJM Campus Chapter at UCU.

We look forward to seeing you there. It will be a great opportunity to learn about IJM.

God Bless

IJM Videos

Please go to vimeo to view videos from IJM over the Internet.

Attendee List for Feb 24th and Feb 25th Training Sessions

International Justice Mission UCU Campus Chapter

List of Attendees for February Training Dates

February 24th:

Sarah Rwbomboro
Kwsasira Frankline
Sem Diana
Alaba Paul
Mugabe Ronald
Ajo Stephen
Ayebale Martha

Back-ups in order of preference if a designated attendees are not present

Kiconco Judith
Mabiko Jude
Kirya Yoweri
Ale Alex
Abanya Kenneth
Kagoya Carol
Nongobi Racheal
Were Authur

February 25

Bwire Walter
Doreen Nakato
Namatova Robbinah
Nyanduri Daphne
Any Grace
Muziki Moses
Namewde Namyingo Mawer

Back-up in order of preference if a designated attendees are not present

Kisinza Mercy-Grace
Namusubo Pamela Janet
Arineitwe Harold
Bisigwa Agatha

A UCU vehicle will be leaving campus at 8:15 and are expected to return to campus by 2:30. Lunch will be provided at the training site. At this time plan on meeting in front of Florence/Honours College to board the transport vehicle.

All individuals listed as back-ups will be given priority to attend training sessions in March. The dates for the March sessions will be announced in the near future.

Weekly Meetings of the UCU IHM Campus Chapter

Weekly meetings take place at 10:30 each Tuesday at the UCU Chapel (unless otherwise indicated).

Meetings are a time for sharing on justice issues, strategic planning, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.

Please join us if you have a heart and passion for Godly Justice.

IJM Campus Chapter Member Training

In order to become a full member in UCU's IJM Campus Chapter you must complete the requisite training offered by International Justice Mission Uganda.

The training is a two part process.

First, there will be general training on International Justice Mission (approximately 1 to 2 hours in length) offered at Uganda Christian University at a future Campus Chapter meeting.

Second, there are regular offerings of a four hour community training session conducted by IJM Uganda. These sessions focus on the issue of property grabbing and related legal issues.

There will be community training session on February 24, 25 and 26 at a location in Mukono District. The sessions will run from 9:00 to 1:00. We hope to provide transportation to one or more of those sessions to students who would like to attend. Future sessions should be offered in the Mukono District at least once a month.

More details will be provided on this blog and at regular chapter meetings.

New Yorker Article on IJM in Africa

Please check out this great Article about IJM's activities in Africa:

New Yorker Article

Meeting with New IJM Mukono Staff

Dateline 10 February, 2009-

Dean of the Law Faculty George Kasozi, IJM Chapter sponsors Taboswa Sarah and Brian Dennison, and IJM Chapter President, Walter Bwire, were glad to welcome IJM Uganda Community Development Director Jamie Staley and Attorney Suhanya Ponniah to the UCU Campus for a planning meeting.

The parties to the meeting are looking forward to building a vibrant, mutually beneficial relationship.

The parties hope to outline an action plan and develop training for campus chapter members.

Stay tuned for future developments and keep IJM Uganda and UCU's IJM Campus Chapter in your prayers during this important time of planning and discernment.