This Saturday was thoroughly wonderful in Austin Texas.  Not only was the weather beautiful (sunny and in the low seventies) but the Sixth Annual ACT Women & Girls Conference took place at St. Edward’s University with entertainers such as the incomparable Sara Hickman and the make-you-dance-in-the-aisles Djembabes.  The Keynote Speakers were environmentalist Robin Rather (looks just like her dad) and poet Jan Epton Seale along with her son editor, author and film maker Avrel Seale.  A good time was had by all.  The reason for the Conference is for the spiritual transformation of Women & Girls.  Another reason that I want to bring to light is one of the important service projects that ACT Women supports.  The following may be disturbing for some, so please be prepared.

This important service project of ACT Women is called “The Acholi Leaders Peace Initiative”.   Since 1985, northern Uganda has been racked by insurgency.  Civilians are continually being killed and mutilated. Thousands have been abducted, tortured and sexually abused. Sexual violence against girls and women is rampant.

The Acholi initiative provides secondary education for some of the children who have escaped from their abductors, with secondary priority going to orphans with no other relative to provide support.  Sixty-five percent of the beneficiaries are specifically reserved for girls.  Over 300 children are now being supported by the Acholi Education Initiative. ACT Women takes any and all donations towards this effort with 100% going directly to the girls and women.

It’s hard for me to imagine living with the kind of horrors that these children have experienced and makes me very grateful for my plot of heaven right here on Earth in Austin, Texas.  I wanted to share this with you because it is one thing that I can let you know about that I am certain your help will make a direct difference.

Today Acholi, tomorrow the world!