HALO Denver Extreme Makeover

The Denver HALO Center for Youth is on its way to success!  Volunteers like Meara, pictured above, are sharing their makeover skills to make the Center a safe haven for at-risk, homeless, and foster children in Denver.  Thank you, volunteers, for taking the time to give back!
  

Dani Walker is HALO’s Ambassador to Uganda

Dani Walker became HALO’s Ambassador to Uganda in July 2010. She has committed to serving 2 years in Kampala, Uganda in order to continue HALO’s mission. While in Uganda, Dani will oversee all HALO-supported homes in the area, visit each home regularly, and monitor the budgets and mentors for each home. Dani will continue implementing HALO’s mission in art therapy and will ensure that all HALO-supported children are given their basic needs and the opportunity to receive education.  Dani will be writing a column in her hometown newspaper, and we will post these as they are published.
 
To read the most recent article about Dani in the Star click here.
Click here to read Dani’s blog.
To donate to Dani Walker’s mission, click here and enter “Dani Walker” in the box labeled “in tribute to,” or mail a check to the HALO Headquarters and write “Dani Walker” in the memo.
 

Kristen Vogel Returns from Uganda

This is truly a bittersweet time for me. In three days, I will leave Uganda, a country that has become my home for the past two years. It seems unfathomable to me that I will no longer have Wednesday meetings with all the mentors of our homes. Or that I’ll no longer walk through the gate of my home to be greeted by 15 screaming, yet exuberantly joyful, teenage girls. As I begin to say goodbyes, it stirs in me a reflection of my time here, and all that I have been blessed to take part in on this journey with HALO in Uganda.      
 
Last night was my farewell party, organized by our very own HALO employee, Asiimwe. When I arrived at the party, I was greeted by over 100 kids and mentors from the various homes that HALO works with in Uganda. Even more overwhelming than this was the realization that many of the kids were still on holiday from school and absent from the party. It really hit me how many lives HALO has been able to impact during my time here, and how fortunate I am for being a part of this process. We had a wonderful night with food, music, speeches, skits, and dances and although it was supposed to be a celebration for me, I think it was really a celebration of community and thankfulness.       
 
One of my favorite parts about this job is that the children are truly thankful. Last night, I informed Jennifer of the Mengo home that HALO will commit to sponsor her in vocational school this year. To see the joy spread across her face as she gave me a big hug reminded me of why I moved here in the first place, and why I’m sad to go. Despite the difficult challenges of working in a developing country where death and poverty surrounds me, I am able to experience first-hand why it’s all worth it.  Priceless moments spent with kids has forever changed my life, and as I say good-bye to Uganda, I know that a piece of my heart will forever remain.
  

Bukessa Wall Builds Safety

Until recently, the children of the Bukessa Home in Uganda were uneasy.  People were able to come onto their property at any time, and many of their clothing and school items were stolen when the children were away.  With a grant from 200 Orphanages, HALO was able to build a security fence around the home with a gate that will allow the children to be secure.  We were also able to build a much-needed new kitchen for the home.