Helping hands link lifelong friends
By: JEFF FRANK - Staff Writer

Practically since they left their cradles, Anna Phillips and Rebecca Littman have shared an interest in repairing the world.

They met as toddlers running around Temple Adat Shalom in Poway, where Littman's mother served as president and Phillips' mom was director of the preschool. Their friendship continued through Hebrew school, Bat Mitzvahs and confirmation, while they tackled numerous social action projects.

"I remember when we were little we did 'Save the Children' (collecting money to sponsor children in poverty-stricken areas)," said Littman, a 2004 graduate of Poway High School. "I think we've always kind of been like this."

What they are today are college juniors heading to Uganda to launch a program to empower girls and women whose lives in a country torn apart by a 20-year civil war provide little other than danger and deprivation.

"I was shocked when I first learned of it," said Phillips, a 2004 graduate of Rancho Bernardo High School and a North County Times Student of Merit. "Ninety percent of the people in the north have been displaced. The rebel army is 80 percent child soldiers. Women are used as sex slaves or for target practice."

After a trip to Uganda in January with Global Youth Partnership for Africa, Phillips developed a plan to improve the situation of young women with a program to boost self-confidence and create positive attitudes though participation in athletics.

Called "Girls Kick It," the program begins with a recreational soccer program, plus instruction in reading and about HIV/AIDS. If successful, Phillips, who attends George Washington University, hopes to replicate the program in other areas of Africa.

When Littman heard what her lifelong friend was up to, she wanted to get involved. She landed a grant from her college, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, to do psychological research to determine the effectiveness of the program.

So the two pals will be together again, on the other side of the world, in a situation that in no way resembles their suburban upbringing.

"I'm ready for whatever is there," said Littman. "I think the conditions in the camp are pretty bad. It will be an eye-opener to see what these people live with every day."

Phillips admits there is "a danger factor," but is happy that she and Littman will together be working to help others.

"It's amazing. We have been plotting to go to Africa since our sophomore year in high school," she said. "This is something we always thought and dreamed about. I told her about the program, and she said, 'All right, I'm coming.'

"It's great. I can't imagine going with anyone better."

-- Contact staff columnist Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419 or jfrank@nctimes.com.
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