Forest Whitaker Brings Hope to Northern Uganda

In this months GQ, Forest Whitaker announced the launch of the Hope North Mentor campaign in northern Uganda. The campaign includes a 40-acre campus for refugees, orphans, and escaped child soldiers where they can feel safe, attend secondary school or join a vocational training center.

The idea for Hope North came from Okello Sam, who is a well-known Ugandan dance and theater artist who was abducted, along with his brother, by rebels. His brother was killed, but Sam went on to be released and purchased land for Hope North. He landed a job choreographing Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland and, along with other members of the Hope North community, actually appeared in the film.

After learning about Hope North, Whitaker felt compelled to help. He took a trip to visit the community, and said, “[When] I went up to Hope North, all of the children were either displaced from refugee camps or former child soldiers. I spent time with them, watched these kids have joy, dance and sing … It was a beautiful example of what happens when people truly care, step in and become involved and so I wanted to be involved.”

You can get involved, too — for as little as $10, you can help change the lives of children affected by Uganda’s 22-year civil war. Go here to make a donation.

Photo courtesy of starpulse.com