Just Like My Child Foundation’s founder and executive director, Vivian Glyck, was interviewed this month by best-selling author Angella Nazarian on Postively Postive. Read the full article on Positively Positive here. From Inspiration to Transformation: An Interview with Vivian Glyck By Angella Nazarian, Positively Positive | July 13, 2014 This month I had the […]
During her first humanitarian trip to Africa, Vivian Glyck met a man who told her about a small Ugandan clinic that was fighting for the lives of its people and losing ground every day. It was a desperate story from a land of many desperate stories, and it should have scared her off. But where other people might have heard a warning, Glyck heard a call.
We are sitting in the office during a strong thunderstorm. Like clockwork, the power company switches off electricity before a storm hits to ensure safety, as many of the electrical poles are not strong enough to withstand strong winds and rain. The beeping sound of our electronics signifying power is gone starts off the music in our office; then comes the symphony of the rain banging on the tin roof combined with the now and then drumming of the thunder – you can imagine it makes for a noisy meeting.
Our entire team at Just Like My Child Foundation is excited to announce Marissa Uvanović as our new Country Director, headquartered in Luwero, Uganda. Her values strongly align with JLMC’s philosophy of a ‘hand-up’ not a ‘hand-out’, as her personal goals for programming include creating communities that are self-reliant, sustainable, and empowered. Marissa’s professional and personal experiences have inspired her to dedicate her career to serving marginalized groups and advocating for equality and justice, which makes her a perfect fit with Just Like My Child Foundation’s initiatives and goals.
“I am happy to JLMC for sending me to watch this National competition. Honestly, it is fun and am glad to inform you that Magogo is doing so well in its competition compared to the first class schools it’s battling against like Namugongo, Kabojja, Ndejje – for no one believes it is their first time in the Nationals! There are 42 schools in the competition from all parts of the country and it is amazing. The children are so happy and grateful to JLMC for the support and here Magogo is rejoicing!”
While visiting several of the schools participating in JLMC’s Girl Power Project, Connie Viveros from The Collective Heart and Cynthia Kersey from Unstoppable got to witness strong testimonials from the girls, who were eager to share what they’ve learned. One young girl boldly got up to say, “I learned how to not get pregnant.” Another young girl stated, “I learned that I need to stay in school.” Yet another girl said, “I learned how to fend off unwanted sexual advances.”
In the past six months alone, Just Like My Child’s community outreach clinic has saved over 240 lives from the devastating affects of malaria. Of the 240 lives saved, 86 were children and 6 were pregnant women.
Because of the AIDS epidemic in Uganda, a generation has gone missing. It’s not uncommon to see elderly women caring for flocks of children who were left orphaned by this deadly disease. A 70-year-old woman who had five children of her own can be left to care for up to 12 of her children’s children. To say that grandmothers are essential in Uganda is an understatement. That’s one of the reasons why our Project Keep a Mother Alive conducts health clinics in communities where grandmothers like Nadine (see below) don’t have the resources, time or energy to visit a health center.
After this first round of training, I can gladly say that JLMC has been able to turn around a somewhat doubtful future for teenage girls in a very remote area of Uganda. These girls now have a potentially brighter future since they feel more empowered to believe in themselves and their ability to reach their fullest potential.
Vivian Glyck was invited to be a guest on WS Radio’s “The Coaching Show” with Christopher McAuliffe to speak about Debbie Ford, her good friend and fellow champion for children’s rights. Vivian talks about the work of Just Like My Child Foundation, its successful partnership with Debbie Ford’s organization, The Collective Heart Foundation, and the work still left […]
As many of you may know, Debbie Ford – beloved author, transformational speaker, and founder of The Collective Heart –passed away Sunday night in the company of her family. After a nearly two decade-long battle with cancer, Debbie was ready for life’s next adventure.
As many of you may know, Debbie Ford – beloved author, transformational speaker, and founder of The Collective Heart – passed away Sunday night in the company of her family. After a nearly two decade-long battle with cancer, Debbie was ready for life’s next adventure. Oprah just posted a beautiful tribute to Debbie and in her honor, OWN: […]