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Kids & Family

Peace Corps: LCF Resident Heads to Uganda

Long-time resident Lori Freeman Cleveland will be in Uganda for 27 months. The first two to three months will be a training period to learn language, safety, health, culture, and other skills.

Lori Freeman Cleveland, who grew up in La Cañada and attended is going to Uganda with the Peace Corps. She will be leaving from Philadelphia to Uganda on Wednesday to serve the people there as a Community Health Volunteer.

After graduating from , Lori went on to Azusa Pacific University, where she received her Nursing Degree. After nursing in a variety of disciplines, she joined College of the Siskiyous in Weed, CA, to teach in the Vocational Nursing program. During that time, Lori obtained her Master’s degree in Nursing with a specialty in Education. Now at 55 years old, she fulfills a lifelong dream of going to Uganda.

“This past year has been one of revelation, uncertainty and trust: Revelation of God’s power, uncertainty of the future and trust in God’s promises. But the real story began almost two years ago when God put a fire in my heart to fulfill a dream of service to those less fortunate,” said Cleveland.

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“I sometimes wonder how I can help. I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. But God is using me. I can see how, through life’s circumstances, He has prepared me for this.”

Lori will be in Uganda for 27 months. The first two to three months will be a training period to learn language, safety, health, culture and other skills. She will then be working with a team to educate and promote healthy living styles within the culture, including maternal and child health, disease prevention, health promotion, hygiene and sanitation. 

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The Peace Corps was started in 1960 when then U.S. Sen. John F. Kennedy encouraged students at the University of Michigan to serve in other countries. Over 200,000 volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to provide knowledge, experience and training in education, health, business, environment, youth programs, agriculture and other venues. Currently the Peace Corps serves in 75 countries.

To find out more about the Peace Corps go to www.peacecorps.org. For more information about La Cañada Presbyterian Church, please visit www.lacanadapc.org or call 818-790-6708.

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