For those of you who may be thinking...."Why would you ever want to do what you are doing? Let us try to fill you in a bit. After a lot of research....I have finally started to realize the underlying problem that the Ugandan civilian population has undergone. For the past 19 years now these people have been terrorized by LRA rebels who have been trying to overthrow the Government and harm and even kill any and all of the individuals suspected of helping the government. The LRA aims to abduct children and force them into their military. This cripples the villages with fear.The nature and duration of the conflict have created problems for all of Uganda, especially for children. The protection of children has not been a priority for governments, despite some laws guaranteeing their basic rights.
More than 1.4 million people have been forced from their homes into displacement camps. These people are unable to farm due to war and international food assistance is inadequate. Illness is rampant because the country is too insecure for many of the aid agencies or the Ugandan government to provide regular health services. Although the LRA does have some adult soldiers, the LRA leader Joseph Kony has created his army primarily through these violent abductions and forced enlistment of children. More than 30,000 children have been kidnapped by the LRA. To abduct children for their army, the LRA would attack villages and displacement camps. Because the camps are not secure, parents felt that they had no other choice but to send their children to "commute" for several miles to the nearest town, where it may be safer. Now that the conflict looks to be ending, there may be more problems for the Ugandan people than in the beginning. There are few ways for these people to support themselves economically. And they are greatful for any help they can get. We are aiming to aid the children that have been abducted and now free from the LRA. Many of the organizations in Uganda are now focusing on what is called "Play Therapy" where the children are given as much time as possible to play and interact with each other as a way of transitioning from "Child Soldier" mode, back to a normal child. We will be assisting with these children as much as possible and letting them know that there is hope for their Country now that the war is in the process of ending.
More than 1.4 million people have been forced from their homes into displacement camps. These people are unable to farm due to war and international food assistance is inadequate. Illness is rampant because the country is too insecure for many of the aid agencies or the Ugandan government to provide regular health services. Although the LRA does have some adult soldiers, the LRA leader Joseph Kony has created his army primarily through these violent abductions and forced enlistment of children. More than 30,000 children have been kidnapped by the LRA. To abduct children for their army, the LRA would attack villages and displacement camps. Because the camps are not secure, parents felt that they had no other choice but to send their children to "commute" for several miles to the nearest town, where it may be safer. Now that the conflict looks to be ending, there may be more problems for the Ugandan people than in the beginning. There are few ways for these people to support themselves economically. And they are greatful for any help they can get. We are aiming to aid the children that have been abducted and now free from the LRA. Many of the organizations in Uganda are now focusing on what is called "Play Therapy" where the children are given as much time as possible to play and interact with each other as a way of transitioning from "Child Soldier" mode, back to a normal child. We will be assisting with these children as much as possible and letting them know that there is hope for their Country now that the war is in the process of ending.
Photo: compliments of Jason and Kari Crigler
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