When it began in 2007 on the University of Mississippi campus, EDUganda was named Hope for Africa. Over the past six years, however, more than just the name has seen change.
Vivian Lang, a senior English major from Jackson, and Jessica Bunch, a junior English major from Fairhope, Ala., lead the organization as co-presidents and are hoping to get the campus more involved throughout this year.
“This year, specifically, Jessica and I have plans to really bring back to the organization and its efforts the energy it had at its commencement,” Lang said. “Having had the opportunity to visit Uganda this summer and visit and hear directly from the students, we are even more motivated.”
Lang and Bunch have seen the organization change over the course of their undergraduate years.
Lang said the name change from Hope for Africa was essentially to be more specific and to outline the goals within the title.
“The underlying goals are the same, as those are what got me interested in the first place,” Lang said.
“Self-sustainability. Education. Loving environments. Encouragement to give where you can. These are just some of the values and principles upon which our amazing sponsors in Uganda work,” Lang said.
EDUganda’s partner organization is Friends in Need Integrated Development Project, which sponsors students and farmers that are part of the livestock project.
“When we met the students, they cared so much about their own education they were doing everything they could to stay in school,” Bunch said.
Bunch also said how much this put things into perspective for her and her experience as a college student.
After spending three and a half weeks in Uganda, Lang and Bunch were given a new outlook on the organization’s potential on the Ole Miss campus.
“Our initial hope is that people will come and see our passion,” Bunch said. “We hope students find that this cause interests them so that they can continue our efforts once we’ve graduated.”
Lang emphasized that there are many ways to get involved.
“Even if people cannot come to the meetings there are other ways of spreading the word and donating to help fund children’s schooling or other projects we are working on,” Lang said. “We will have so many opportunities to get involved this semester so be on the lookout!”
The first information session for the organization is Monday, Sept. 16, at 4 p.m. in the Student Union.
