Karalyn Jones

Jones first learned about their plight two years ago through Invisible Children, an organization dedicated to protecting the children of Uganda and ending the long-running civil war. Then, in November, she learned of children there being trained to fight and sold to finance the revolution. Jones turned her heartbreak into a call for action.  

On June 18, she will leave for Uganda after a four-day New York orientation. She will have nothing more than a 30-pound backpack to get her through eight weeks in Africa as part of an outreach sponsored by Operation Crossroads Africa, an aid organization predating the Peace Corps.  

She will be one of eight to 10 college students working within classrooms to help tutor children, aid teachers and assist in the construction of a facility for special needs children to teach them how to be part of a brass band.  Her visit also will include meetings with former child soldiers who are being taught how to live in society.  

While there, Jones will complete an independent study for an anthropology class through UHV to study how children are educated and learn in Uganda.
When she returns, she will present her findings and gain credit from the UHV School of Arts & Sciences.  

UHV awarded Jones a $600 scholarship to help finance her trip. In addition, her education background and credentials from UHV were major contributing factors in her selection for the Uganda team.  

Jones is raising money for her trip and plans to blog during the trip about her adventures and experiences in the war-torn country. She will blog through UHV Connect, UHV’s social networking Web site, at www.uhvconnect.org.
Jones can be contacted at karalyn.jones@gmail.com or through St. Marks United Methodist Church, (361) 575-8206.