Odongkara thanks XU students

On Sept. 15, one of Xavier's newest clubs and a chapter of the Unified for UNIFAT (U4U) organization, hosted an event featuring a conversation with Abitimo Odongkara, the founder of the Upper Nile Institute for Appropriate Technology (UNIFAT) school, who thanked Xavier for their assistance.

"An Evening with Abitimo" began in the Kennedy Auditorium with a video portraying the students at the UNIFAT School and the impact the organization is having in war-torn Gulu of northern Uganda.

Sophomore Meghan Marth, one of the original founders of the U4U organization and the founder of Xavier's club chapter, hosted Odongkara at her own home for the event and introduced Odongkara as a personal friend.

After addressing the crowd with an African Acholi greeting, Odongkara shared her experience with the strife in Uganda and her mission to improve her native country's educational system.

Passionate for working with young people, after witnessing the effect war had on her country, she began her UNIFAT School in the town of Gulu.

With the help of the Invisible Children movement and Unified for UNIFAT, Odongkara's school flourished.

Recently, all 42 students of the UNIFAT School passed the national examination that students must take in order to be admitted into high school.

This accomplishment brought recognition to Odongkara's mission and efforts.

"When you help someone in Uganda, you are helping them remember what they lost in twenty-five years of war," Odongkara said.

Odongkara's passion for the children of Uganda was present in her message of peace, deeming her students her heroes.

"I don't think we can live happily sunrise to sunset when, in some part of the world, someone is suffering," Odongkara said.

Odongkara expressed a deep appreciation for U4U's support of her educational initiatives to combat the destruction of war.

At the conclusion of her presentation, Odongkara presented Dean of Students Dr. Luther Smith with a plaque made by students from UNIFAT School.

"We will remember Xavier University for restoring hope to our children," Odongkara said.

Kevin Tighe also contributed to this article.