UA Student Groups Sponsoring ‘Freedom in Creation’ Events

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama student groups Apwonjo, Freshman Forum and the Alabama International Relations Club are presenting several events as part of the “Freedom in Creation” initiative to help the African country of Uganda.

The UA students have teamed up to educate the UA community about water access and conflict resolution in northern Uganda, and to raise some $5,000 to build a new well in Gulu, Uganda.

“Freedom in Creation” is an initiative that empowers war-affected or at-risk communities through increased access to the therapeutic qualities of art, international education and fresh drinking water. By providing therapeutic art classes for at-risk children and exhibiting their work internationally, FIC raises funds to provide participating communities with water and educational infrastructure. The children are credited with bringing the water and infrastructure to their community.

UA events include:

April 11-15 – Apwonjo, Alabama International Relations Club’s Tuscaloosa Initiative for Language Education and Freshman Forum will be conducting international education programs in local elementary schools.

Wednesday, April 13, 6-7 p.m., Lloyd Hall Gallery – Apwonjo will host an opening reception for the FIC art show featuring work created by war-affected children in Uganda.

Saturday, April 16, Student Recreation Center, starting at 6 p.m. – The three organizations will host “PLEASE DON’T STOP THE MUSIC: Dance for Freedom in Creation.” Families with children are invited to attend for art, dancing and drumming from 6-8 p.m. Adult admission for Family Time is $10 and children under age 12 are free. Emmanuel Agbeli and the UA African Music Ensemble will play from 7:30-8 p.m. FIC founder Andrew Briggs will speak from 8-8:30 p.m. The dance-a-thon will go from 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. Participants can register as an individual for $12 or as part of a team (3-7 members) for $10 each. Registration is available online at www.apwonjo.org/dance.html or at registration tables in the Ferguson Center and Student Recreation Center next week.

All of the proceeds will be used to build the new well.