UG 01 - TALITHA KUM: STREET GIRLS REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Project Location
The project is taking place in Northern Uganda, specifically in and around Gulu. The population here has endured decades of persecution and war, briefly interrupted in the early 1980s. Then the HIV/AIDS pandemic plunged the population into a situation of incredible vulnerability, characterized by high mortality and the resulting orphanage of countless children.
In subsequent years, this was joined by the guerrilla led by Joseph Kony. The rebel group called the LRA (LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY) remained active in northern Uganda for more than 21 years, until 2008, causing violence, abuse, torture, mass destruction, and the kidnapping of children to become soldiers (the boys) and sex slaves (the girls). It forced the entire population to live in internally displaced persons camps, making them dependent on international aid for food. For years, there was no agriculture or employment, only new ways to survive and, for the women, prostitution.
Due to this context, children were also exposed from an early age to sex in exchange for food, clothing, and even school supplies for those attending school; this significantly contributed to the spread of prostitution, early and unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and so on. In northern Uganda, the population is still suffering from trauma and is still trying to recover socially, morally, and economically after these devastating 21 years of the LRA, a process that will take several generations, as they are left alone in this rehabilitation process.
Project description
In 2021, due to growing insecurity in Gulu (as in other Ugandan cities) and the active presence of street youth caused by broken families, inadequate parenting, lack of basic necessities, displacement, and so on, we launched, in agreement with the local authorities of Gulu, the RACISCY project for the rehabilitation and community integration of these young people. This project has already impacted the lives of over 200 young people; we have assisted them in reuniting with their families and abandoning street life.
Over the years, we have noticed an increase in the presence of young girls in the city engaged in prostitution, primarily due to the lack of employment and growing poverty. We began by welcoming those who were companions of the street youths we were already working with, some of whom also had children. Currently, the demand for help from these girls is increasing, but our ability to provide adequate rehabilitation is diminishing. In the program we have established, we do not give them cash, but we try to provide them with basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and clothing.
The project therefore aims to support ten girls, mostly former prostitutes, and their children, through ongoing psychological support to rehabilitate them and reintegrate them into society. Furthermore, they will be supported by tuition fees for a technical vocational school and, through the delivery of a job kit, will be helped to start income-generating activities that will make them independent over time and contribute to the support of their families. During the year of implementation, the girls will be constantly monitored and will receive coverage for any medical expenses.
Objectives
- Provide psychological support to ten girls in their rehabilitation process.
- Support them in training and starting a small business, restoring their independence, dignity, and confidence in the future.
Beneficiaries
Direct: 10 girls and their children
Indirect: families and society
Referent sister of the project: Sr. Giovanna Calabria
Project's costs