Davis Peace Project: Making a difference

Norse soccer goalie Dickson Kwatampora (‘12) won the Davis Peace Project Grant, allowing him to build a market in his home country of Uganda.

The Davis Peace projects are offered every year to over 100 campuses in the United States and across the world. Each project gets a grant of $10,000 to inspire youth to promote peace.

“My project aims at economically empowering people in the IDP [Internally Displaced Person’s] camps in the Northern part of Uganda,” Kwatampora said. “I will be constructing a market where people would come on a daily basis to sell their handmade crafts and their surplus from farming.”

The project will take place in the Gulu region where many refugees have been relocated in an IDP camp.

“The conditions in which they live and raise their children are atrocious,” Kwatampora said. “In 2007, I was with a soccer organization and our goal was to put a smile on the children’s faces.”

Kwatampora currently plays for the Norse Men’s soccer team as goalie. However, his talents extend far beyond the Luther field.

By rebuilding this market, Kwatampora hopes to help the living and economic conditions of the people in Gulu.

Although he received $10,000, Kwatampora hopes to get some extra funds for the implementation of his project.

“Talking to people here at Luther and outside the Luther community about my project is one way I am hoping to raise some extra funds.” Kwatampora said. “Jon Lund is also helping with the fundraising and making connections with the people he knows would be interested in helping.”

Associate Dean for Student Life Jon Lund is active in the process of helping students to develop their Davis Peace Projects. Lund is also on the board that selects the projects that will be sent to the Davis Foundation, which is made possible by Kathryn Davis.

“She [Davis] has been a lifelong internationalist and philanthropist and has left her mark on a wide range of institutions and countless students,” Executive Director of the Davis UWC Scholars Program Philip O. Geier said. “The wisdom of her years has led her to look to young people for new ideas and fresh energy to improve prospects for peace.”

Kwatampora’s project is among the 100 projects receiving funding this year. Over $1 million are used every year in this initiative.

Kwatampora will travel to Gulu, Uganda this summer, where he will help build the market. It will consist of four stalls of 16 feet each in length. Roofing is on the stalls, which will contain storage space with locks. Kwatampora feels fortunate for this opportunity and is looking forward to the growth of his project.

“I never thought this would be possible, but it is,” he said. “I thank God for the opportunity.”