Uganda

Fellow HELP associates, I am starting this blog with the intent to keep us connected in the beginning stages for our great Ugandan undertaking this summer. To begin I will introduce myself, I am a native of the beautiful beehive state and a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science. At Utah Valley University I am working with faculty and staff for sustainable mountain development through the Mountain Partnership. Also, I currently chair Public Policy for the Utah County Chapter of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce. I recently returned home from Scotland where I interned for the Scottish National Party in the Scottish Parliament. I served a two-year ecclesiastical mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Montevideo, Uruguay. I enjoy many outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, skateboarding and playing sports. I am an avid Boston Red Sox fan and love baseball. I am married to Kelsey Nuila Gray and have an adventurous one-year old daughter Nola.

I am very excited, as I am sure all of you are to work with the Ugandan people. There is ample opportunity and potential in the country and hopefully we can channel our efforts into success and lasting sustainable development in the country through our endeavors. The more I learn of the country and culture the greater inclination I have to help. Below I have listed links to relevant sites and information that have helped me to understand Uganda better. I am excited to be working with you this summer through HELP International, which has established an exceptional network and infrastructure on the ground in Uganda. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at anytime.

Jesse Gray
(801) 362-8237
jeslgray@gmail.com

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1069166.stm

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/uganda/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=Uganda&st=cse

http://www.monitor.co.ug/

http://www.newvision.co.ug/I/8/13

http://www.kiva.org/partners/65

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/uganda601/video_index.html