While I was at camp I got the chance to meet some really
cool people that are part of this incredible organization and I thought they
deserved their own post. Bpu is a grassroots group started by street
kids in Uganda, though is now run by motivated community activists all over the country. They dance, they rap, they graffiti, and they go around the
country empowering youth to stay away from drugs, alcohol, and sex and to work
hard for a better life. A group, that in most western societies gets a lot of
crap about spreading bad things and leading to gangs and drugs, is doing a ton
of great work here and inspiring a lot of kids.
They take street kids in cities and some village kids and teach them all
these skills, giving them confidence and creativity. At the same time they try
very hard to be role-models, teaching them to make good decisions and think of
ways to find an income. For kids that might have a life of begging, this is an
awesome way out. They are based in Kampala but have branched out and were at
camp, a lot of our campers were in the organization. Seeing it firsthand I can
see it really is transformative for the kids. They learn a lot of leadership
and life skills, having fun at the same time. I got to know one of the people
that helps to run it, Candy, and he was so dedicated to helping his kids. You
could also so the change it had on his life; he talked about learning to work
hard to see the world in a more open way. Many of those boys were the ones who
were totally on board for women’s rights and many of the girls in the
organization were some of the most outspoken girls I have met in this country.
My mind went crazy. I am going to try and get them to do a
workshop at my school and maybe rub off a little on my kids. Also, I want to
bring this idea home and hopefully can incorporate it into wherever I go next!
I am even learning how to beat box =)
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