GABBY MCCOY, KNIGHT WIRE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Each year since 2007, Wartburg selects one project to submit for the Davis Projects for Peace.
Davis Projects for Peace is an initiative for all undergraduate students. Participating schools must be a part of Davis United World College Scholars Program.
Students who have received the program’s grant have put together projects ranging from “Water for Life” in Nigeria to “Post War Recovery in Uganda.
“These projects tie perfectly with Wartburg’s mission,” said Edith J. Waldstein, vice president of enrollment management. “These projects focus on the leadership and civic engagement of the students.”
According to the Wartburg College website, the mission statement is “dedicated to challenging and nurturing students for lives of leadership and service as a spirited expression of their faith and learning.”
Davis program students go to the countries to implement their projects. The projects teach students leadership and organizational skills, as well as budgeting and event management.
Third-year Mercy Umba’s project was selected in 2020. Umba was to partner with Kajo Keji Health Training Institute, local organizations working with other refugee communities.
Umba would have led 80 health care providers and community organizations on mental health issues. Umba was also to help refugees in financial literacy skills through a program called GenFarm Financial Enterprise.
The 2020 projects were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Umba was mentored by Collins Kalyebi, a Wartburg alum who received a grant in 2018.
Students are encouraged to use creativity to design projects and use innovative ideas that focus on conflict resolution, breaking down barriers and finding solutions to maintain peace.
Each project selected will receive $10,000 for funding.
Davis Projects for Peace began in 2007 through the generosity of Kathryn W. Davis, a lifelong philanthropist and internationalist who passed away in 2013 at 106.
Davis committed $1 million annually to go to these projects.
More information on the program can be found at http://www.wartburg.edu/davis-projects.
Knight Wire 
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