GuluWalk Supporters

There are so many reasons for hope in northern Uganda, and here are a few 'icons' you may recognize.


STEVE NASH
Two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) most valuable player Steve Nash has signed up in support of GuluWalk to be a reason for hope in northern Uganda. Nash was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but grew up playing basketball in Canada. The 32-year-old All-Star, who represented Canada at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is currently in his 12th NBA season.

“As soon as I heard about the night commuters, I knew I wanted to help,” said Nash, a native of Victoria, British Columbia who plays for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. "Margaret Mead is quoted as saying ‘never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world;’ GuluWalk is a small, thoughtful, committed Canadian organization working to affect change in Uganda, but also in the way we look at children everywhere. These kids are far away, but they are no less children, and their lives are being ruined by a silent war. Children all over the world deserve the attention and voice of everyone anywhere in a position to do anything. Join GuluWalk. Be one more reason for hope.”

For more information on Steve Nash and the Steve Nash Foundation please visit www.stevenash.org.


SARAH McLACHLAN
Canadian music legend and three-time Grammy Award winner Sarah McLachlan is a reason for hope in northern Uganda. With over 22 million records sold since the beginning of her career (1988), McLachlan continues to impact the lives of others both through her music and philanthropy in projects such as the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach program and the now famous Lilith Fair. Known worldwide for her emotional ballads, McLachlan is one of today’s most gifted songwriters and a role model for women everywhere.

“I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn about what is happening to the children of northern Uganda,” said McLachlan. “GuluWalk is shining a much needed light on their struggles, offering us all a way to give hope to the innocent children there. I urge everyone who can, to please sign up. Together, we can make a difference.”

For a print quality photo of Sarah McLachlan in her GuluWalk gear click here. (Photo: Jing-Ling Kao)

For more information on Sarah McLachlan please visit www.sarahmclachlan.com.


MEASHA BRUEGGERGOSMAN
Juno-nominated vocalist Measha Brueggergosman is among the world’s most incredible opera stars. Having shared the stage with Bill Gates and President Bill Clinton, she has given a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II, and performed for Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan. In addition to releasing her latest recording, Surprise, and with a hectic worldwide tour schedule, Measha lends her time and talent to causes of international importance. She is also Goodwill Ambassador for GuluWalk partner, AMREF Canada.

"In June, I had the opportunity to visit northern Uganda. My first time in Africa made me realize that it is not the destitute, hopeless continent that so many people think. Quite the opposite, actually. It's a continent of energy, generosity and hope. Despite abductions, living in constant fear and threats of violence, the children of northern Uganda were probably the best possible example of the true meaning of courage and resilience. It's amazing to know that there are organizations like GuluWalk, which raises awareness about northern Uganda’s struggle, and the African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF), which has been working in Uganda even before the conflict, to provide children with vital health care and education to foster hope for a better future. Part of the proceeds from the GuluWalk will support AMREF’s work in northern Uganda, which I had the opportunity to witness first hand. This is why I have signed up and I urge everyone who can, to please sign up as well. Together, we can make a difference."

For more information on Measha's trip to northern Uganda please visit her diary at www.amrefcanada.org.


MELISSA FITZGERALD
Melissa Fitzgerald is a dynamic actor, producer and social activist. As an actor, she is best known for playing the role of Carol on NBC’s award-winning political drama The West Wing. She recently completed filming the independent feature, This is Not a Test. Her other film roles include Simple Things, Monument Avenue, Frequency, and Love and Sex. Fitzgerald has just returned from her second visit to northern Uganda where she was working with a group of American actors and northern Ugandan teenagers on the documentary film project, ‘Voices of Uganda’.

"We must continue to tell the world about the impact this war has had on the children of northern Uganda and demand that the world take action. During my two visits to northern Uganda, I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful, children. For many of them, it is too late. I am walking in honour of their memory. For many more of them, it is not too late. I am walking in honour of their future. Join me and be an icon! Together we can help put an end to this war."

For more information on Melissa Fitzgerald and the Voices of Uganda please visit www.voicesofuganda.org.


CHANTAL KREVIAZUK
Canadian singer-songwriter and two-time Juno Award winner Chantal Kreviazuk has joined GuluWalk to be a reason for hope in northern Uganda. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kreviazuk is a classically trained pianist whose love of music started at the tender age of three. She emerged on the Canadian music scene in 1996 and is most known for the radio hits “God Made Me" and “Before You”. It has been four years since Kreviazuk released her last album and during that break she firmly established herself as one of the premiere songwriters in the industry by penning hits for the likes of Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson. She has just released her fourth studio album, “Ghost Stories”, which includes the hit single “All I Can Do”.

“Since the very first moment I heard about the horrors that the children in northern Uganda were living, I’ve wanted to do anything possible for this ignored international emergency,” said Kreviazuk. I’m still shocked and horrified by their stories, but so inspired by the mission of GuluWalk to help these children find hope, as well as a chance at a future. The same future that every child on this planet deserves.”

To hear Chantal and see the children of northern Uganda click here.

For more information on Chantal Kreviazuk please visit www.chantalkreviazuk.com.


Lt-Gen. ROMEO DALLAIRE
Lt-General Dallaire is most know for his internationally-recognized book "Shake Hands With the Devil - The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda" and his leadership role of the United Nations Observer Mission – Uganda and Rwanda (UNOMUR) and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). He is currently a Canadian Senator, a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and continues as a special advisor to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) on matters relating to war-affected children around the world and to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the non-proliferation of small arms.

"War has a much more intense effect on children than on adults. This doesn't mean that adults are not scared or horrified by it; it's just they have a stronger capacity to cope," said Dallaire. "This is why the work being done by GuluWalk is so very important. With proper education and support, these children can be empowered. They can be a potent, positive force in building their future and the future of their country. I urge you to join today, and help make that difference."


STEPHEN LEWIS
Stephen Lewis is known worldwide as the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. As a politician, diplomat and international envoy for humanitarian efforts, Stephen Lewis has dedicated himself to improving the lives of others. As Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1984-88 he chaired the committee that drafted the five-year UN Programme on African Economic Recovery, and from 1995-99 he was Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF at the organization’s global headquarters in New York. Lewis has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa since 2001 and in July of this year, he began a one-year term as McMaster University’s first social sciences scholar-in-residence, where he will serve as an instructor and researcher linked with the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition.

"The phenomenon of the 'night commuters' in northern Uganda is so surreal that it almost defies description,” explained Lewis. “It has been one of the world’s worst crises facing children, and every effort to bring attention to the impact this war is having on children is commendable. The GuluWalk is an imaginative project that will bring a ray of hope to the future of the children, and the communities of northern Uganda."


More 'icons' for the children of northern Uganda:

LLOYD AXWORTHY
President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg

HERBIE KUHN
Motivational speaker and in-house voice of the Toronto Raptors

JAMES ORBINSKI
Former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

DAVID NAYLOR
President of the University of Toronto

ALLAN ROCK
Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations

GERRY CAPLAN
Activist & Author, Rwanda: The Preventable Genocide

JOHN FERREIRA
President of DHL Express Canada

FRED GILBERT
President of Lakehead University


There are even more supporters coming soon. Stay tuned.