Teen’s crusade — to bring hope to war-torn Uganda

By Kerrie-Ann Schoenit - Langley Times - March 21, 2008

Gabrielle Starr led the first Night to Light Walk in September, 2006, to raise funds for children in northern Uganda. A follow-up event is planned for Saturday, March 29, with a fundraising walk and various events to follow at Langley Secondary School. See story, page 10.

Rob NEWELL/Langley Times file photo fundraiser March 29

A Langley teenager is hoping to bring light to Uganda again.

Two years ago, Gabrielle Starr, now a Grade 9 student at Langley Secondary School, organized the Night to Light Walk with her family and raised more than $15,000. It was sent directly to Canadian Food for the Hungry International (CFHI) to help with the construction of the New Life Centre in Kitgum, Uganda. The centre, which officially opened in February 2007, provides young girls displaced by the civil war with needed health care, counseling, basic literacy and life skills.

This year, with the help of CFHI, Starr has organized another walk and hopes to double the funds raised. She says the funds will be used for projects such as the New Life Centre, as well as helping children whose lives have been devastated by the AIDS epidemic.

The Night to Light walk will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29 at Langley Secondary School. Following the walk, events that will take place include musical performances, one of which will be a performance by the junior jazz band from LSS, a silent auction, speeches, and opportunities to sponsor children in Uganda.

“The walk is trying to bring some light, hope, into their lives,” said Starr.

The civil war that plagued the region for over a decade made the people live in “darknesss” due to fear of the rebel army and the tragedy of many people being killed, explained Starr.

In addition, many children living in the villages of northern Uganda were forced to walk great distances every night to safe cities to avoid being abducted.

The reality for many Ugandan girls was a life of abduction by rebel army soldiers, rape, and pregnancy, according to Starr. At some point, the girls often escaped with their children, but unfortunately were no longer welcome in their communities because of what they had been forced to participate in.

Even though a ceasefire with the rebel army has existed since August 2006, she says many girls with children are still in camps or reception centres and in need of aid.

Following a public speaking contest in Grade 7, in which she examined the destruction of war in northern Uganda, Starr admits she was challenged to do more than just speak about the turmoil and thus began her crusade.

She went on to write letters to MP Mark Warawa and to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, asking them what the Canadian government was doing to help the situation. When she heard that CFHI had a project working with young girls, she was quick to jump on board and asked if she could support their New Life Centre project. She has been active in fundraising.

As the 2008 walk approaches, Starr hopes that it will bring together many different people and organizations in Langley. She says that financial donations will make a difference in the lives of young girls and their children who have had to live through horrible situations.

“Spread the word and be voices for these young girls,” she said.

For more information or to fill out a pledge form online, visit www.nighttolightwalk.ca.

Photo — page 11

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Teen’s crusade — to bring hope to war-torn Uganda

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