Spring Break
Students Aim to Improve a Continent
Korean and Black Student-Led Groups Volunteer in Africa
Anita Little
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
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Meanwhile, the Korean Christian Mission (KCM) spent its tenth summer in Africa. For nine years it traveled to Uganda but, this year journeyed to Ghana instead.
A team of 12 USC students desired to convert Ghanaians to Christianity.
"Our goal is to mobilize collegians to go on summer mission trips and spread the gospel message to Ghanaians through open-air drama presentations," said Soo Jung Han, a sophomore Biological Sciences major who believes missionary work is his calling.
Ghanaian summers are scorching and humid, but physical discomfort did not hinder the team's devotion to winning souls for Christ.
They won few converts, but Han says their work is still integral to improving the lives of African people.
"We traveled around the country in a bus, much like a skit company, performing for a wide variety of audiences from nurseries and local high schools to rural villages and dam workers," said Han.
He continued, "Only a few people may have actually accepted Christ as their Lord, but I believe that seeds for later harvest were planted during my month-long stay in Ghana. I was able to share the great love of Christ to the people."
The mission of the Bavubuka Girls Project is to empower Ugandan girls to be successful leaders in their communities.
"Our ultimate goal […] is to create a sustainable education program that provides girls with positive role models and mentors," said Nicolette Omoile, a Senior Political Science and Communications double major, who is president of the Bavubuka Girls Project.
Increased education programs may lead to the development of Uganda, but the project aims to expand beyond this third-world country.
"It is our hope that the project will be implemented across all of Africa and build the next generation of leaders," said Omoile, a first generation Nigerian American.
The illiteracy rate for African females 15-24 years old is 71 percent, according to the United Nations Children's Fund.
To help decrease this staggering statistic, the project has partnered with the USC Volunteer Center to gather student volunteers. Students will now have the opportunity to spend their Spring Break in Uganda working with the Bavubuka girls.
The program launches in Uganda this September with the establishment of new Bavubuka chapters at New York University and George Washington University.
"This September, the young girls in Uganda will surely be surprised by all the strangers that are showing them love and compassion," said Omoile. "I couldn't be more excited to be part of it."
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